Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony G3
86 Imaging
47 Features
43 Overall
45
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94 Imaging
33 Features
30 Overall
31
Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony G3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
- Released May 2010
- Renewed by Olympus E-PL1s
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 35-140mm (F3.5-10.0) lens
- 185g - 97 x 59 x 22mm
- Released January 2009
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony G3 Overview
Lets examine more in depth at the Olympus E-PL1 versus Sony G3, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the E-PL1 (12MP) and the G3 (10MP) is very comparable but the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and G3 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor measurements.
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The E-PL1 was unveiled 17 months after the G3 making the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony G3 being a Compact camera.
Before diving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the E-PL1 grades versus the G3 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony G3 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus PEN E-PL1 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3. The full galleries are available at Olympus E-PL1 Gallery and Sony G3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Sony G3
E-PL1 | G3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | May 2010 | ![]() | January 2009 | Newer by 17 months |
Reasons to pick Sony G3 over the Olympus E-PL1
G3 | E-PL1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display sizing | 3.5" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.8") |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+691k dot) |
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Sony G3
E-PL1 | G3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very precise focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen |
Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony G3 Physical Comparison
For those who are intending to travel with your camera, you will want to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL1 enjoys external dimensions of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") having a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) whilst the Sony G3 has proportions of 97mm x 59mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") having a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs).
Check out the Olympus E-PL1 versus Sony G3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you select during that time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the E-PL1 compared to the G3.
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Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL1 and G3 is 86 and 94 respectively.
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony G3 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is tough to see the gap in sensor dimensions merely by checking out technical specs. The picture here will provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL1 and G3.
As you have seen, each of these cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-PL1 using its larger sensor will make achieving bokeh less difficult and the Olympus E-PL1 will produce extra detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop images a little more aggressively. The more modern E-PL1 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony G3 Screen and ViewFinder
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Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
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Street Comparison
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Sports Comparison
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Travel Comparison
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Landscape Comparison
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Vlogging Comparison
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony G3 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PL1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Sony |
Model | Olympus PEN E-PL1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Small Sensor Compact |
Released | 2010-05-17 | 2009-01-08 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Truepic V | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 10MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 3648 x 2736 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | - | 35-140mm (4.0x) |
Max aperture | - | f/3.5-10.0 |
Amount of lenses | 107 | - |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 2.7 inches | 3.5 inches |
Resolution of screen | 230k dot | 921k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Screen technology | HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60 seconds | 1 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/1000 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 3.0 frames per second | 2.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 10.00 m | 4.30 m (Auto ISO) |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | 1/160 seconds | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 640x480 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 334 gr (0.74 lb) | 185 gr (0.41 lb) |
Dimensions | 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") | 97 x 59 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 54 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | 21.5 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | 10.1 | not tested |
DXO Low light score | 487 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 290 pictures | - |
Battery format | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | BLS-1 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC card | Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Pricing at release | $288 | $200 |