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Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus E-PL5

Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PL3 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL5 front
Portability
88
Imaging
52
Features
72
Overall
60

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus E-PL5 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 313g - 110 x 64 x 37mm
  • Released September 2011
  • Older Model is Olympus E-PL2
Olympus E-PL5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 325g - 111 x 64 x 38mm
  • Released September 2012
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus E-PL5 Overview

Here, we are contrasting the Olympus E-PL3 and Olympus E-PL5, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras and they are both manufactured by Olympus. There exists a noticeable gap among the resolutions of the E-PL3 (12MP) and E-PL5 (16MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor dimensions (Four Thirds).

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The E-PL3 was brought out 12 months earlier than the E-PL5 which means that they are of a similar age. Both cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before delving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief summation of how the E-PL3 matches up vs the E-PL5 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Olympus E-PL5

 E-PL3 E-PL5 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL5 over the Olympus E-PL3

 E-PL5 E-PL3 
ReleasedSeptember 2012September 2011Newer by 12 months
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-PL3 and Olympus E-PL5

 E-PL3 E-PL5 
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display size3"3"Same display sizing
Display resolution460k460kSame display resolution

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus E-PL5 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera frequently, you should factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL3 provides external measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") with a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs) while the Olympus E-PL5 has measurements of 111mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") and a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-PL3 and Olympus E-PL5 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. Here is a front view scale comparison of the E-PL3 versus the E-PL5.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus E-PL5 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL3 and E-PL5 is 88 and 88 respectively.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus E-PL5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus E-PL5 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be tough to picture the gap in sensor dimensions just by checking out a spec sheet. The pic underneath might give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL3 and E-PL5.

As you can see, both cameras feature the identical sensor size but different MP. You can expect to see the Olympus E-PL5 to produce extra detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop images way more aggressively. The more aged E-PL3 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus E-PL5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus E-PL5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus E-PL5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Portrait photography details
Olympus E-PL5 Portrait photography details
60
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
71
focusing manually
good resolution (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Street photography info
Olympus E-PL5 Street photography info
84
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
85
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
has touch focus
good ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Sports photography highlights
Olympus E-PL5 Sports photography highlights
45
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (300 CIPA)
has no phase detect AF
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Travel photography advice
Olympus E-PL5 Travel photography advice
44
lack of Time Lapse function
not so great battery pack (300 CIPA)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
75
has touch focus
good resolution (16 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
missing Time Lapse mode
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus E-PL5 as a Landscape photography camera
61
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
not so great battery pack (300 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse function
74
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Vlogging factors
Olympus E-PL5 Vlogging factors
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
lack of mic socket
78
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
missing mic jack
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus E-PL5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL3 and Olympus E-PL5
 Olympus PEN E-PL3Olympus PEN E-PL5
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL3 Olympus PEN E-PL5
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2011-09-20 2012-09-17
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Truepic VI -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 12800 25600
Min native ISO 200 200
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 35 35
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Range of display Tilting Tilting
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic (optional)
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames/s 8.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1)
Flash options 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
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160s 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
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 313 grams (0.69 lb) 325 grams (0.72 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") 111 x 64 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 52 72
DXO Color Depth rating 20.9 22.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 12.3
DXO Low light rating 499 889
Other
Battery life 300 photos 360 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $399 $400