Clicky

Olympus E-PL1s vs Olympus E-PL3

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1s front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL3 front
Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49

Olympus E-PL1s vs Olympus E-PL3 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL1s
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
  • Announced November 2010
  • Replaced the Olympus E-PL1
  • Later Model is Olympus E-PL2
Olympus E-PL3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 313g - 110 x 64 x 37mm
  • Revealed September 2011
  • Replaced the Olympus E-PL2
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Olympus E-PL1s vs Olympus E-PL3 Overview

Following is a extended overview of the Olympus E-PL1s vs Olympus E-PL3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras and they are both manufactured by Olympus. The sensor resolution of the E-PL1s (12MP) and the E-PL3 (12MP) is relatively well matched and they enjoy the exact same sensor sizing (Four Thirds).

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

The E-PL1s was released 10 months prior to the E-PL3 and they are of a similar age. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go in to a complete comparison, below is a simple summary of how the E-PL1s matches up against the E-PL3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1s over the Olympus E-PL3

 E-PL1s E-PL3 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Olympus E-PL1s

 E-PL3 E-PL1s 
RevealedSeptember 2011November 2010More modern by 10 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1s and Olympus E-PL3

 E-PL1s E-PL3 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Olympus E-PL1s vs Olympus E-PL3 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry around your camera often, you need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL1s has outer 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 Olympus E-PL3 has dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") along with a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-PL1s vs Olympus E-PL3 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have at that moment. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the E-PL1s compared to the E-PL3.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Olympus E-PL3 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL1s and E-PL3 is 86 and 88 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Olympus E-PL3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1s vs Olympus E-PL3 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very hard to see the contrast between sensor sizes purely by looking at specifications. The image here should give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL1s and E-PL3.

To sum up, both of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the identical resolution and you can expect similar quality of pictures though you need to factor the launch date of the products into consideration. The more aged E-PL1s is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Olympus E-PL3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1s vs Olympus E-PL3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1s vs Olympus E-PL3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Portrait photography features
Olympus E-PL3 Portrait photography features
60
focusing manually
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has face detect focus
saves RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
60
focusing manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Street photography features
Olympus E-PL3 Street photography features
74
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
no articulating screen
84
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Sports photography features
Olympus E-PL3 Sports photography features
44
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
terrible battery (290 shots)
does not have phase detect auto focus
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
not so great battery life (300 shots)
no phase detect AF
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s as a Travel photography camera
Olympus E-PL3 as a Travel photography camera
51
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse recording
terrible battery (290 CIPA)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
44
does not have Timelapse mode
not so great battery life (300 shots)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL1s
Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL3
55
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
low megapixels (12MP)
terrible battery (290 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse recording
61
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
not so great battery life (300 per charge)
does not have Timelapse mode
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Vlogging highlights
Olympus E-PL3 Vlogging highlights
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focus
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic support
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have external microphone jack
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Olympus E-PL1s vs Olympus E-PL3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1s and Olympus E-PL3
 Olympus PEN E-PL1sOlympus PEN E-PL3
General Information
Make Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL1s Olympus PEN E-PL3
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2010-11-16 2011-09-20
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Truepic V Truepic VI
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Peak resolution 4032 x 3024 4032 x 3024
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 35
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic (optional)
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 10.00 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160 seconds 1/160 seconds
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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 334 grams (0.74 lbs) 313 grams (0.69 lbs)
Dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 52
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 20.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 10.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 499
Other
Battery life 290 pictures 300 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-1 BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $599 $399