Olympus E-PL1s vs Sony NEX-3N
86 Imaging
47 Features
43 Overall
45


89 Imaging
57 Features
52 Overall
55
Olympus E-PL1s vs Sony NEX-3N Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
- Launched November 2010
- Replaced the Olympus E-PL1
- Renewed by Olympus E-PL2
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 16000
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 269g - 110 x 62 x 35mm
- Introduced February 2013
- Replaced the Sony NEX-F3
- Newer Model is Sony a5000

Olympus E-PL1s vs Sony NEX-3N Overview
Let's take a closer look at the Olympus E-PL1s vs Sony NEX-3N, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by brands Olympus and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the E-PL1s (12MP) and NEX-3N (16MP) and the E-PL1s (Four Thirds) and NEX-3N (APS-C) have different sensor sizes.

The E-PL1s was unveiled 3 years prior to the NEX-3N which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before delving straight to a detailed comparison, here is a concise summary of how the E-PL1s matches up versus the NEX-3N when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Sony NEX-3N Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus PEN E-PL1s and Sony Alpha NEX-3N. The full galleries are viewable at Olympus E-PL1s Gallery and Sony NEX-3N Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1s over the Sony NEX-3N
E-PL1s | NEX-3N |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3N over the Olympus E-PL1s
NEX-3N | E-PL1s | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | February 2013 | ![]() | November 2010 | More modern by 27 months |
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus E-PL1s and Sony NEX-3N
E-PL1s | NEX-3N | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial precise focus | ||
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Absent Touch display |
Olympus E-PL1s vs Sony NEX-3N Physical Comparison
If you're planning to carry around your camera frequently, you are going to need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL1s features outside measurements of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") along with a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) and the Sony NEX-3N has proportions of 110mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).
Examine the Olympus E-PL1s vs Sony NEX-3N in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you use at the time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-PL1s and the NEX-3N.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL1s and NEX-3N is 86 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Sony NEX-3N Sensor Comparison
Typically, its tough to picture the contrast between sensor sizes simply by looking at technical specs. The image below will give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL1s and NEX-3N.
As you can tell, each of the cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The E-PL1s with its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field more challenging and the Sony NEX-3N will resolve greater detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The more aged E-PL1s is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Sony NEX-3N Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s vs Sony NEX-3N Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PL1s | Sony Alpha NEX-3N | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Sony |
Model type | Olympus PEN E-PL1s | Sony Alpha NEX-3N |
Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Launched | 2010-11-16 | 2013-02-25 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Truepic V | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 4912 x 3264 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 16000 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
Available lenses | 107 | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display size | 2.7" | 3" |
Display resolution | 230 thousand dot | 460 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Display technology | HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic (optional) | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 60 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 3.0 frames/s | 4.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 10.00 m | - |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | - |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | 1/160 seconds | 1/160 seconds |
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) | 1920 x 1080 |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
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) | 269 grams (0.59 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") | 110 x 62 x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | 74 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 22.8 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 12.5 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 1067 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 290 photos | 480 photos |
Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | BLS-1 | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | - |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Price at launch | $599 | $399 |