Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus E-PL9
88 Imaging
48 Features
52 Overall
49
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85 Imaging
55 Features
78 Overall
64
Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus E-PL9 Key Specs
(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
- Launched September 2011
- Succeeded the Olympus E-PL2
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 200 - 6400 (Bump to 25600)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 3840 x 2160 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 380g - 117 x 68 x 39mm
- Launched February 2018
- Previous Model is Olympus E-PL8
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus E-PL9 Overview
Below, we will be contrasting the Olympus E-PL3 and Olympus E-PL9, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras and both of them are offered by Olympus. There is a substantial difference between the resolutions of the E-PL3 (12MP) and E-PL9 (16MP) but they come with the exact same sensor dimensions (Four Thirds).
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The E-PL3 was manufactured 7 years earlier than the E-PL9 which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before delving through a full comparison, below is a concise summation of how the E-PL3 scores versus the E-PL9 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus E-PL9 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus PEN E-PL3 & Olympus PEN E-PL9. The entire galleries are provided at Olympus E-PL3 Gallery & Olympus E-PL9 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Olympus E-PL9
E-PL3 | E-PL9 |
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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL9 over the Olympus E-PL3
E-PL9 | E-PL3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | February 2018 | ![]() | September 2011 | Newer by 77 months |
Screen resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 460k | Clearer screen (+580k dot) |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Olympus E-PL3 and Olympus E-PL9
E-PL3 | E-PL9 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very precise focusing | ||
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Tilting | Tilting screen |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical screen sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither provides selfie screen |
Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus E-PL9 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is looking to travel with your camera, you are going to need to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL3 provides physical dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") and a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs) and the Olympus E-PL9 has specifications of 117mm x 68mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") along with a weight of 380 grams (0.84 lbs).
Compare the Olympus E-PL3 and Olympus E-PL9 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you choose during that time. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the E-PL3 vs the E-PL9.
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Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL3 and E-PL9 is 88 and 85 respectively.
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus E-PL9 Sensor Comparison
Often, it's hard to visualize the contrast between sensor dimensions just by going over technical specs. The picture underneath may give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL3 and E-PL9.
As you can tell, both of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different resolution. You can expect the Olympus E-PL9 to deliver extra detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The more aged E-PL3 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus E-PL9 Screen and ViewFinder
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Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
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Street Comparison
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Sports Comparison
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Travel Comparison
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Landscape Comparison
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Vlogging Comparison
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus E-PL9 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PL3 | Olympus PEN E-PL9 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Olympus |
Model | Olympus PEN E-PL3 | Olympus PEN E-PL9 |
Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Launched | 2011-09-20 | 2018-02-08 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Truepic VI | TruePic VIII |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | Four Thirds |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 4608 x 3456 |
Max native ISO | 12800 | 6400 |
Max enhanced ISO | - | 25600 |
Minimum native ISO | 200 | 200 |
RAW support | ||
Minimum enhanced ISO | - | 100 |
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 35 | 121 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
Number of lenses | 107 | 107 |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Tilting | Tilting |
Screen diagonal | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 460k dots | 1,040k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen technology | HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | Electronic (optional) |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 60s | 60s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
Fastest silent shutter speed | - | 1/16000s |
Continuous shutter rate | 6.0 frames per sec | 8.6 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 7.60 m (at ISO 200) |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Auto, manual, redeye reduction, slow sync w/redeye reduction, slow sync , slow sync 2nd-curtain, fill-in, off |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 1/160s | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 3840x2160 |
Video file format | AVCHD, Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 313 grams (0.69 pounds) | 380 grams (0.84 pounds) |
Dimensions | 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") | 117 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 52 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | 20.9 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | 10.3 | not tested |
DXO Low light score | 499 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 300 pictures | 350 pictures |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | BLS-5 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I supported) |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Price at release | $399 | $599 |