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Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony FX3

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
 
Sony FX3 front
Portability
62
Imaging
64
Features
92
Overall
75

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony FX3 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL1
(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
  • New Model is Olympus E-PL1s
Sony FX3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.00" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 102400 (Boost to 409600)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 716g - 130 x 78 x 85mm
  • Introduced February 2021
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony FX3 Overview

Below is a thorough review of the Olympus E-PL1 and Sony FX3, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the E-PL1 (12MP) and the FX3 (12MP) is relatively similar but the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and FX3 (Full frame) use totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PL1 was released 11 years before the FX3 and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before diving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a concise summation of how the E-PL1 grades vs the FX3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Sony FX3

 E-PL1 FX3 

Reasons to pick Sony FX3 over the Olympus E-PL1

 FX3 E-PL1 
IntroducedFebruary 2021May 2010More recent by 131 months
Screen typeFully articulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimension3.00"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1440k230kSharper screen (+1210k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Sony FX3

 E-PL1 FX3 
Focus manually More precise focusing

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony FX3 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to lug around your camera often, you should consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL1 provides exterior measurements of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") having a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) while the Sony FX3 has measurements of 130mm x 78mm x 85mm (5.1" x 3.1" x 3.3") and a weight of 716 grams (1.58 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-PL1 and Sony FX3 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have attached at that moment. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the E-PL1 against the FX3.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony FX3 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL1 and FX3 is 86 and 62 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony FX3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony FX3 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's hard to see the gap between sensor measurements purely by going over technical specs. The graphic underneath should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL1 and FX3.

As you can tell, both the cameras have got the exact same megapixels albeit not the same sensor measurements. The E-PL1 comes with the tinier sensor which is going to make obtaining bokeh more difficult. The older E-PL1 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony FX3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony FX3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony FX3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Portrait photography features
Sony FX3 Portrait photography features
60
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
low resolution sensor (12MP)
70
focusing manually
sensor size is large (Full frame)
offers face detection focus
exports RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Street photography camera
Sony FX3 as a Street photography camera
74
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
no moving screen
76
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
offers touch to focus
weather proof
above average ISO range (102,400)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Sports photography info
Sony FX3 Sports photography info
44
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
slow fps (3.0 frames per second)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
not so great battery life (290 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect AF
75
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
weather proof
great battery power (600 per charge)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
low MP (12 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Travel photography info
Sony FX3 Travel photography info
51
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
not so great battery life (290 shots)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
70
great battery power (600 CIPA)
weather proof
connects via bluetooth
offers touch to focus
display is selfie friendly
low MP (12 megapixels)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Landscape photography features
Sony FX3 Landscape photography features
55
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
small screen (2.7 inch)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
not so great battery life (290 per charge)
does not have Timelapse mode
77
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3.00 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
above average ISO range (102,400)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
great battery power (600 per charge)
two card slots
low MP (12MP)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Vlogging features
Sony FX3 Vlogging features
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focusing
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone support
77
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection focus
good video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes external microphone socket
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony FX3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1 and Sony FX3
 Olympus PEN E-PL1Sony FX3
General Information
Company Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL1 Sony FX3
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Released 2010-05-17 2021-02-23
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Truepic V -
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4032 x 3024 4240 x 2832
Maximum native ISO 3200 102400
Maximum boosted ISO - 409600
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Min boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 759
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Number of lenses 107 187
Crop factor 2.1 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully articulated
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 3.00 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dots 1,440k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 10.00 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) no built-in flash
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 120p / 280 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 100p / 280 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 140 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 140 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, XAVC S, XAVC HS, XAVC S-1, H.264, H.265
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 334g (0.74 pounds) 716g (1.58 pounds)
Dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 130 x 78 x 85mm (5.1" x 3.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 54 85
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 24.2
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.1 13.4
DXO Low light rating 487 3900
Other
Battery life 290 images 600 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-1 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Storage type SD/SDHC card Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots
Card slots 1 Dual
Cost at launch $288 $3,900