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Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus SP-820UZ

Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PL3 front
 
Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ front
Portability
69
Imaging
38
Features
29
Overall
34

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus SP-820UZ 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
  • Launched September 2011
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-PL2
Olympus SP-820UZ
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 22-896mm (F3.4-5.7) lens
  • 485g - 117 x 78 x 93mm
  • Launched August 2012
  • Succeeded the Olympus SP-820UZ
  • Refreshed by Olympus SP-820UZ
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus SP-820UZ Overview

Here is a detailed overview of the Olympus E-PL3 versus Olympus SP-820UZ, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both sold by Olympus. The resolution of the E-PL3 (12MP) and the SP-820UZ (14MP) is relatively similar but the E-PL3 (Four Thirds) and SP-820UZ (1/2.3") have different sensor sizes.

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The E-PL3 was manufactured 11 months before the SP-820UZ and they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus SP-820UZ being a Compact camera.

Before delving into a thorough comparison, here is a short view of how the E-PL3 grades vs the SP-820UZ in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Olympus SP-820UZ

 E-PL3 SP-820UZ 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Reasons to pick Olympus SP-820UZ over the Olympus E-PL3

 SP-820UZ E-PL3 
LaunchedAugust 2012September 2011Fresher by 11 months

Common features in the Olympus E-PL3 and Olympus SP-820UZ

 E-PL3 SP-820UZ 
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Screen resolution460k460kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus SP-820UZ Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry your camera often, you're going to have to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL3 provides outer dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs) and the Olympus SP-820UZ has specifications of 117mm x 78mm x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") along with a weight of 485 grams (1.07 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-PL3 versus Olympus SP-820UZ in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are using at that moment. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the E-PL3 compared to the SP-820UZ.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus SP-820UZ size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL3 and SP-820UZ is 88 and 69 respectively.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus SP-820UZ top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus SP-820UZ Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very tough to visualize the gap between sensor sizing purely by going over specifications. The visual here should give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL3 and SP-820UZ.

Plainly, each of these cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-PL3 featuring a bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Olympus SP-820UZ will offer you extra detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will let you crop photographs way more aggressively. The older E-PL3 is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus SP-820UZ sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus SP-820UZ Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus SP-820UZ Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Portrait photography information
Olympus SP-820UZ Portrait photography information
60
focusing manually
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
34
good megapixels (14MP)
comes with face detection focusing
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 as a Street photography camera
Olympus SP-820UZ as a Street photography camera
84
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
37
no moving screen
no image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
heavier than competition (485g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Sports photography advice
Olympus SP-820UZ Sports photography advice
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (6.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
bad battery life (300 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect AF
33
great zoom range (22-896mm 40.7 x zoom)
good megapixels (14MP)
low frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Travel photography details
Olympus SP-820UZ Travel photography details
44
no Timelapse recording
bad battery life (300 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
55
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (22mm)
very long zoom (896mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
heavier than competition (485g)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Landscape photography information
Olympus SP-820UZ Landscape photography information
61
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
bad battery life (300 CIPA)
no Timelapse recording
35
fairly wide (22mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
no manual exposure
no image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Vlogging details
Olympus SP-820UZ Vlogging details
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
no external microphone support
25
fairly wide (22mm)
comes with face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
doesn't have external mic socket
heavier than competition (485 grams)
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus SP-820UZ Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL3 and Olympus SP-820UZ
 Olympus PEN E-PL3Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus PEN E-PL3 Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2011-09-20 2012-08-21
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Truepic VI -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4032 x 3024 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 12800 6400
Lowest native ISO 200 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 35 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 22-896mm (40.7x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.4-5.7
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 6.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 15.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported 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, 120 fps), 320 x 180 (30, 240 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 313 grams (0.69 lb) 485 grams (1.07 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") 117 x 78 x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 images -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $399 $299