Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony NEX-3
86 Imaging
46 Features
43 Overall
44
89 Imaging
53 Features
55 Overall
53
Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
- Introduced May 2010
- Renewed by Olympus E-PL1s
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 12800
- 1280 x 720 video
- Sony E Mount
- 297g - 117 x 62 x 33mm
- Launched June 2010
- Updated by Sony NEX-C3
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On this page, we are contrasting the Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony NEX-3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by rivals Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the E-PL1 (12MP) and the NEX-3 (14MP) is fairly similar but the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and NEX-3 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor size.
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD CardsThe E-PL1 was revealed very close to the NEX-3 so they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before we go into a in depth comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the E-PL1 scores versus the NEX-3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
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Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus PEN E-PL1 & Sony Alpha NEX-3. The full galleries are available at Olympus E-PL1 Gallery & Sony NEX-3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Sony NEX-3
| E-PL1 | NEX-3 |
|---|
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Olympus E-PL1
| NEX-3 | E-PL1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display type | Tilting |  | Fixed | Tilting display |
| Display dimensions | 3" |  | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
| Display resolution | 920k |  | 230k | Sharper display (+690k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Sony NEX-3
| E-PL1 | NEX-3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | May 2010 |  | June 2010 | Similar age |
| Focus manually |  | Dial exact focus | ||
| Selfie screen |  | Neither provides selfie screen | ||
| Touch friendly display |  | Missing Touch friendly display |
Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is going to lug around your camera frequently, you have to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PL1 provides exterior measurements of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") with a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-3 has sizing of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).
Take a look at the Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony NEX-3 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you choose during that time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the E-PL1 and the NEX-3.
Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL1 and NEX-3 is 86 and 89 respectively.
Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it's difficult to envision the gap between sensor measurements just by reviewing specs. The visual below will give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL1 and NEX-3.
All in all, both of those cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The E-PL1 using its tinier sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field more difficult and the Sony NEX-3 will offer you more detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos more aggressively.
Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications
| Olympus PEN E-PL1 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Company | Olympus | Sony |
| Model | Olympus PEN E-PL1 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 |
| Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
| Introduced | 2010-05-17 | 2010-06-07 |
| Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor Chip | Truepic V | Bionz |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
| Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
| Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 365.0mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 12MP | 14MP |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Highest resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 4592 x 3056 |
| Highest native ISO | 3200 | 12800 |
| Lowest native ISO | 100 | 200 |
| RAW format | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focus | ||
| Touch to focus | ||
| Continuous AF | ||
| Single AF | ||
| Tracking AF | ||
| Selective AF | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| AF multi area | ||
| AF live view | ||
| Face detect focusing | ||
| Contract detect focusing | ||
| Phase detect focusing | ||
| Number of focus points | 11 | 25 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
| Total lenses | 107 | 121 |
| Crop factor | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
| Display size | 2.7 inch | 3 inch |
| Resolution of display | 230k dots | 920k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch functionality | ||
| Display tech | HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating | TFT Xtra Fine LCD |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | None |
| Features | ||
| Slowest shutter speed | 60 secs | 30 secs |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
| Continuous shooting rate | 3.0 frames/s | 7.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Custom WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash range | 10.00 m | 12.00 m |
| Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
| External flash | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Maximum flash synchronize | 1/160 secs | 1/160 secs |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment metering | ||
| Average metering | ||
| Spot metering | ||
| Partial metering | ||
| AF area metering | ||
| Center weighted metering | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
| Video format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
| Microphone port | ||
| Headphone port | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environment sealing | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 334g (0.74 lbs) | 297g (0.65 lbs) |
| Physical dimensions | 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") | 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around score | 54 | 68 |
| DXO Color Depth score | 21.5 | 22.1 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | 10.1 | 12.0 |
| DXO Low light score | 487 | 830 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 290 shots | 330 shots |
| Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | BLS-1 | NPFW50 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC card | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Card slots | One | One |
| Retail pricing | $288 | $0 |