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Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus E-PL9

Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PL3 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL9 front
Portability
85
Imaging
55
Features
78
Overall
64

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus E-PL9 Key Specs

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
  • Launched September 2011
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-PL2
Olympus E-PL9
(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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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Olympus E-PL9

 E-PL3 E-PL9 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL9 over the Olympus E-PL3

 E-PL9 E-PL3 
LaunchedFebruary 2018September 2011Newer by 77 months
Screen resolution1040k460kClearer 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 typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen dimension3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus E-PL9 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL3 and E-PL9 is 88 and 85 respectively.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus E-PL9 top view buttons comparison

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.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus E-PL9 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus E-PL9 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus E-PL9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Portrait photography factors
Olympus E-PL9 Portrait photography factors
60
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focusing
exports RAW files
low MP (12MP)
73
manual focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Street photography highlights
Olympus E-PL9 Street photography highlights
84
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
84
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
boasts touch focus
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Sports photography factors
Olympus E-PL9 Sports photography factors
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
max frames per second low (6.0 fps)
low MP (12MP)
low battery power (300 shots)
has no phase detect AF
69
silent shutter (1/16,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Travel photography information
Olympus E-PL9 Travel photography information
44
no Timelapse mode
low battery power (300 per charge)
low MP (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
77
connects via bluetooth
boasts touch focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus E-PL9 as a Landscape photography camera
61
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
low battery power (300 CIPA)
no Timelapse mode
80
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Vlogging details
Olympus E-PL9 Vlogging details
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no microphone port
35
touch screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have external mic support
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus E-PL9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL3 and Olympus E-PL9
 Olympus PEN E-PL3Olympus 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