Olympus E-PL1s vs Sony A3000

Below, we will be evaluating the Olympus E-PL1s vs Sony A3000, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by rivals Olympus and Sony. There is a sizable difference between the image resolutions of the E-PL1s (12MP) and A3000 (20MP) and the E-PL1s (Four Thirds) and A3000 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor sizing.

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The E-PL1s was brought out 3 years before the A3000 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PL1s being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A3000 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go through a complete comparison, below is a simple summary of how the E-PL1s grades vs the A3000 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus PEN E-PL1s & Sony Alpha A3000. The entire galleries are available at Olympus E-PL1s Gallery & Sony A3000 Gallery.

If you're going to travel with your camera often, you'll need to consider its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL1s enjoys outside measurements of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") and a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) and the Sony A3000 has specifications of 128mm x 91mm x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 411 grams (0.91 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-PL1s vs Sony A3000 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are using at the time. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the E-PL1s vs the A3000.

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the E-PL1s and A3000 is 86 and 69 respectively.

Generally, it can be difficult to envision the gap between sensor dimensions purely by going over specs. The image underneath should offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL1s and A3000.

All in all, both of these cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-PL1s featuring a tinier sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field more difficult and the Sony A3000 will deliver more detail having its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures much more aggressively. The more aged E-PL1s is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.