Olympus E-PL3 vs. Olympus TG-320: A Detailed Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

Choosing the right camera can be challenging - especially when you're navigating between two Olympus models that cater to very different photographers: the Olympus PEN E-PL3, an entry-level mirrorless camera introduced in late 2011, and the Olympus TG-320, a rugged, waterproof compact announced in early 2012. Both represent Olympus’s innovation in their respective categories but serve different creative goals.

In this comprehensive comparison, drawn from hands-on testing with hundreds of cameras, we'll unpack technical features, real-world performance, and usability. Whether you're a budding portrait artist, an adventurous traveler, or looking for a versatile all-rounder, this guide will help you find the camera that best fits your vision.

Getting Acquainted: Olympus E-PL3 and TG-320 at a Glance

Before diving deep, let's establish the base specs and design philosophies behind each.

The E-PL3 targets creative photographers wanting manual control, interchangeable lenses, and high image quality. Conversely, the TG-320 is designed for durability - a camera that withstands rain, shocks, and cold, ideal for outdoor adventurers.

Design and Handling: Comfort Meets Durability

Look and feel are paramount to how you engage with your camera over time.

Olympus E-PL3: Mirrorless Elegance

This PEN model returns to Olympus’s classic rangefinder styling in a compact body with distinct lines. At 110x64x37 mm and 313 grams, it feels solid but lightweight - perfect for carrying on shoots.

Ergonomics:

• The camera has a comprehensive top control layout with dials and buttons to adjust shutter speed, aperture, and exposure compensation quickly.
• Its tilting 3-inch HyperCrystal LCD with anti-reflective coating brightens outdoor viewing conditions.
• No built-in viewfinder, but supports an optional EVF accessory.
• The lens mount opens up creative possibilities with over 100 compatible Micro Four Thirds lenses.

Olympus TG-320: Compact and Rugged

Smaller and lighter at 96x63x23 mm and 155 grams, the TG-320 is about portability and protection.

Key design notes:

• It boasts full waterproofing rated for submersion, shock resistance, dustproofing, and freezeproofing, making it extremely versatile for tough environments.
• It lacks a viewfinder and manual control dials.
• The 2.7-inch fixed TFT LCD is smaller and less bright than the E-PL3's.
• A fixed 28-102mm equivalent zoom lens limits creative control but covers useful everyday focal lengths.

Our hands-on testing confirms the E-PL3's ergonomic advantages for extended shooting sessions, especially when using manual modes or interchangeable lenses. The TG-320, while limited in controls, wins as a grab-and-go companion that excels in rough conditions.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Camera

Image sensors greatly influence your photos' clarity, dynamic range, and low-light performance.

Olympus E-PL3's Four Thirds CMOS Sensor

• Sensor size: 17.3x13 mm (Four Thirds standard), offering a significantly larger surface area than compact cameras.
• Resolution: 12 megapixels strikes a good balance between detail and manageable file sizes.
• The sensor features an anti-aliasing filter to reduce moiré.
• Achieved a DxOmark overall score of 52 with excellent color depth (20.9 bits) and dynamic range (10.3 EV).
• ISO range is 200–12800, with usable performance up to ISO 1600 for most situations.

Olympus TG-320's Smaller CCD Sensor

• Sensor size: 6.17x4.55 mm, much smaller than the E-PL3’s.
• Resolution: 14 megapixels, which can look sharp in good light but struggles in low-light due to small pixel size.
• Uses a traditional CCD sensor with lower dynamic range and higher noise at elevated ISO.
• ISO maxes at 1600 but realistically noise degrades images around ISO 400.
• No raw support limits post-processing flexibility.

From a technical standpoint, the E-PL3’s larger sensor allows for superior image quality, especially in challenging lighting, portrait depth, and landscapes. The TG-320 is more suited to casual snapshots in well-lit scenarios or harsh environments where ruggedness trumps resolution.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Capturing the Moment

Fast and precise autofocus, as well as frame rates, matter for active photography like sports and wildlife.

Autofocus System

• E-PL3: Employs a 35-point contrast detection autofocus system with face detection and even continuous AF tracking. During testing, it reliably locked focus in a fraction of a second, including moving subjects in moderate light.
• TG-320: Basic contrast-detection AF without manual focus capability, slower to lock especially in lower light.

Continuous Shooting

• E-PL3 achieves up to 6 frames per second (fps), enabling better chances of capturing fleeting moments.
• TG-320 limits burst rates to a very slow 1 fps, suitable only for static scenes.

In real-world terms, the E-PL3 is a definite choice for wildlife, sports, or street photographers needing rapid focus acquisition and shooting, while the TG-320 is best reserved for casual, static shots or exploratory travel where ruggedness is key.

Display and Viewfinder: Composing Your Shot

Displays

• E-PL3 offers a large, tilting 3-inch screen with 460k dots resolution, enhancing composition from varied angles.
• TG-320's smaller 2.7-inch fixed LCD with 230k dots makes framing and reviewing less comfortable under bright conditions.

Viewfinders

Neither camera includes a built-in viewfinder, but the E-PL3 supports an optional electronic viewfinder add-on, perfect for bright outdoor shooting - something the TG-320 completely lacks.

For photographers who value flexible, high-quality displays, the E-PL3 has a clear advantage in both size and usability.

Lens Options: Creativity Unlocked vs. Fixed Convenience

• With its Micro Four Thirds mount, the E-PL3 supports a vibrant ecosystem of over 100 lenses, including primes, zooms, macros, and specialty optics.
• The TG-320 has a built-in 28-102mm equivalent zoom with maximum apertures from f/3.5 to f/5.1, standard for compact cameras but limiting for creative depth-of-field control or low-light.

This difference hugely impacts what kinds of photography you can pursue:

• E-PL3 allows you to specialize for portraits, landscapes, macro, or sports by changing lenses.
• TG-320 is optimized for convenience and durability rather than artistic flexibility.

Image Stabilization and Low-Light Performance

Both cameras offer image stabilization:

• E-PL3 uses sensor-based stabilization (IBIS), compensating for hand shake effectively across lenses.
• TG-320 implements sensor-shift stabilization but limited by smaller sensor and compact lens design.

In low-light tests, the E-PL3 delivers cleaner images at higher ISO, while the TG-320’s images tended to be softer and noisy above ISO 400, restricting its shooting conditions.

Video Capabilities: Full HD vs. Basic HD

For content creators integrating video into their workflows:

• E-PL3: Records full HD 1080p video at 60 fps with AVCHD and motion JPEG formats, a strong offering in this camera’s era. Supports smooth autofocus during recording but lacks external mic input.
• TG-320: Offers HD 720p at 30 fps, with MPEG-4/H.264 compression. No mic input and lower frame rates limit creative video work.

If video is important, the E-PL3 is unquestionably superior.

Build Quality and Environmental Resistance

Few cameras can combine lightweight handling with rugged protective features:

• E-PL3 has a well-built magnesium and plastic body but lacks environmental sealing.
• TG-320 excels with full waterproof (up to specified depths), dustproof, shockproof, and freezeproof ratings.

This makes the TG-320 the best companion for hiking, snorkeling, or extreme conditions where the E-PL3 might fail rapidly.

Battery Life and Storage

• E-PL3: Rated for approximately 300 shots per charge. Uses proprietary BLS-5 batteries, recharge times are reasonable.
• TG-320: Rated for about 150 shots per charge, in line with compact cameras of its class.

Both use SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, but the E-PL3 supports faster write speeds demanded by raw files and HD video.

Connectivity and Extras

Neither camera offers wireless capabilities like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, which are common in modern models. They do have HDMI outputs and USB 2.0 ports for basic transfer and external display.

Sample Images and Real-World Testing

We shot across a variety of genres to evaluate versatility:

• Portraits taken with the E-PL3 showed creamy bokeh and accurate skin tones, thanks to its larger sensor and interchangeable lenses.
• The TG-320’s portraits were flatter with limited background blur.
• Landscape shots on the E-PL3 revealed superb dynamic range and sharpness.
• The TG-320 produced acceptable snapshots but struggled with fine details and shadows.
• In wildlife and sports, the E-PL3’s responsive AF and high frame rates allowed capturing animals and athletes crisply.
• TG-320’s autofocus lag caused missed shots.
• Street photography benefited from the E-PL3’s discreet controls and quick operation.
• Macro shots were only feasible with the E-PL3 utilizing dedicated macro lenses.
• Night and astro photography severely favored the E-PL3 with low noise and manual exposure options.
• Video quality and stabilization felt much better on the E-PL3.
• For travel, the TG-320’s ruggedness and compactness made it unbeatable for adventure, but the E-PL3 gave more creative freedom.
• Professional work requires raw files and extensive control - E-PL3 is suitable here, TG-320 is not.

Olympus E PL3 screen back Olympus TG 320 front Olympus TG 320 screen back

Scoring the Cameras: Overall and by Genre

Who Should Choose What?

Olympus E-PL3 Is Best If You:

• Desire creative control with interchangeable lenses.
• Shoot portraits, landscapes, macro, sports, or video seriously.
• Need better low-light performance and richer image quality.
• Want flexible autofocus and faster burst shooting.
• Wish to explore manual modes and higher resolutions.
• Can handle a slightly larger, less rugged camera.
• Are ready to invest in lenses and accessories.

Olympus TG-320 Is Best If You:

• Need a lightweight, waterproof, shockproof camera for rugged travel and adventure.
• Prefer straightforward, point-and-shoot operation without manual controls.
• Shoot mostly in good light for casual photography.
• Want a tiny camera that fits easily in pockets and survives harsh conditions.
• Are on a tight budget or prioritizing durability over image quality.
• Are not interested in interchangeable lenses.

Final Thoughts: Matching Tools to Your Creative Journey

Both the Olympus E-PL3 and TG-320 shine in very different niches. The PEN E-PL3 bridges beginner and enthusiast photographers with advanced imaging technologies and a broad lens ecosystem. It rewards learning and experimentation with quality.

The TG-320 embraces simplicity and toughness, perfect for adventurers who need a camera that’s ready anywhere, any weather, with zero fuss.

If you’re serious about photography as an art or profession, the E-PL3 is a more capable companion, offering tools that grow with your skills. If your adventures take you to the wildest places, and waterproof reliability is paramount, the TG-320 will keep pace - just don’t expect top-tier image quality.

Next Steps: Try, Test, and Explore

Photography is personal and hands-on. If possible, check both models in store or borrow before buying. Try their menus, grips, and shooting styles. Pair the E-PL3 with a versatile lens like the 14-42mm kit, or if you choose the TG-320, explore accessories like waterproof cases and straps.

Your creative vision deserves equipment that inspires and supports your growth - these Olympus cameras each offer a unique path.

Remember, choosing a camera is about aligning its strengths with your creative goals, budget, and shooting environments. May your next Olympus be the one that unlocks stunning moments and inspires your photography journey ahead. Happy shooting!