Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus SH-1
88 Imaging
48 Features
52 Overall
49


88 Imaging
40 Features
53 Overall
45
Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus SH-1 Key Specs
(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
- Succeeded the Olympus E-PL2
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
- 271g - 109 x 63 x 42mm
- Announced March 2014
- Later Model is Olympus SH-2

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus SH-1 Overview
Its time to look a bit more closely at the Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus SH-1, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both created by Olympus. There exists a large gap between the resolutions of the E-PL3 (12MP) and SH-1 (16MP) and the E-PL3 (Four Thirds) and SH-1 (1/2.3") feature different sensor sizing.

The E-PL3 was unveiled 3 years prior to the SH-1 which is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus SH-1 being a Compact camera.
Before we go in to a complete comparison, below is a simple summation of how the E-PL3 matches up against the SH-1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus SH-1 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus PEN E-PL3 & Olympus Stylus SH-1. The full galleries are viewable at Olympus E-PL3 Gallery & Olympus SH-1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Olympus SH-1
E-PL3 | SH-1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More precise focus | ||
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Reasons to pick Olympus SH-1 over the Olympus E-PL3
SH-1 | E-PL3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | March 2014 | ![]() | September 2011 | More modern by 30 months |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Olympus E-PL3 and Olympus SH-1
E-PL3 | SH-1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen measurement |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 460k | Identical screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen |
Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus SH-1 Physical Comparison
In case you're looking to carry around your camera, you'll have to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL3 features external dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") with a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs) whilst the Olympus SH-1 has measurements of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") along with a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs).
Contrast the Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus SH-1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have at that moment. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the E-PL3 vs the SH-1.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL3 and SH-1 is 88 and 88 respectively.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus SH-1 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it is hard to imagine the gap between sensor sizes merely by checking specifications. The picture here might offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL3 and SH-1.
Plainly, the two cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The E-PL3 having a bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF easier and the Olympus SH-1 will give extra detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures far more aggressively. The more aged E-PL3 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus SH-1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus SH-1 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PL3 | Olympus Stylus SH-1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Olympus |
Model type | Olympus PEN E-PL3 | Olympus Stylus SH-1 |
Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Released | 2011-09-20 | 2014-03-31 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Truepic VI | TruePic VII |
Sensor type | CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 3:2 |
Max resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 4608 x 3456 |
Max native ISO | 12800 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 200 | 100 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | 35 | - |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | - | 25-600mm (24.0x) |
Max aperture | - | f/3.0-6.9 |
Macro focusing distance | - | 3cm |
Available lenses | 107 | - |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Tilting | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of display | 460k dots | 460k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display technology | HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic (optional) | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 60 seconds | 30 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 6.0fps | 12.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | - |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | - |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 1/160 seconds | - |
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) | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | AVCHD, Motion JPEG | 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 | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 313g (0.69 pounds) | 271g (0.60 pounds) |
Dimensions | 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") | 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 52 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | 20.9 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.3 | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | 499 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 300 pictures | 380 pictures |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | BLS-5 | LI-92B |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Retail price | $399 | $349 |