Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus 7040

Below is a thorough analysis of the Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus 7040, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both are sold by Olympus. The resolution of the E-PL3 (12MP) and the 7040 (14MP) is relatively close but the E-PL3 (Four Thirds) and 7040 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The E-PL3 was unveiled 21 months later than the 7040 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. The two cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus 7040 being a Compact camera.

Before delving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the E-PL3 scores against the 7040 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

This is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus PEN E-PL3 & Olympus Stylus 7040. The full galleries are provided at Olympus E-PL3 Gallery & Olympus 7040 Gallery.

For anybody who is aiming to lug around your camera, you'll need to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL3 comes with outside dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") along with a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs) whilst the Olympus 7040 has proportions of 95mm x 56mm x 26mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 1.0") with a weight of 144 grams (0.32 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus 7040 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you use during that time. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the E-PL3 against the 7040.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL3 and 7040 is 88 and 95 respectively.

Normally, it is hard to see the contrast in sensor measurements just by researching a spec sheet. The photograph below will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL3 and 7040.

As you can see, both of the cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The E-PL3 with its bigger sensor will make getting shallow DOF easier and the Olympus 7040 will render greater detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The newer E-PL3 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.