Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus TG-5
88 Imaging
47 Features
52 Overall
49
90 Imaging
37 Features
51 Overall
42
Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus TG-5 Key Specs
(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
- Released September 2011
- Old Model is Olympus E-PL2
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 12800)
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 3840 x 2160 video
- 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
- 250g - 113 x 66 x 32mm
- Revealed May 2017
- Old Model is Olympus TG-4
- Refreshed by Olympus TG-6
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Here, we are matching up the Olympus E-PL3 and Olympus TG-5, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Waterproof and both of them are created by Olympus. The resolution of the E-PL3 (12MP) and the TG-5 (12MP) is very well matched but the E-PL3 (Four Thirds) and TG-5 (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor sizing.
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firmsThe E-PL3 was introduced 6 years before the TG-5 which is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus TG-5 being a Compact camera.
Before we go right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise view of how the E-PL3 matches up versus the TG-5 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
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Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus PEN E-PL3 & Olympus Tough TG-5. The whole galleries are available at Olympus E-PL3 Gallery & Olympus TG-5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Olympus TG-5
| E-PL3 | TG-5 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display type | Tilting | Fixed | Tilting display |
Reasons to pick Olympus TG-5 over the Olympus E-PL3
| TG-5 | E-PL3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revealed | May 2017 | September 2011 | More modern by 68 months |
Common features in the Olympus E-PL3 and Olympus TG-5
| E-PL3 | TG-5 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus manually | Dial precise focus | |||
| Display size | 3" | 3" | Same display measurement | |
| Display resolution | 460k | 460k | Same display resolution | |
| Selfie screen | Neither offers selfie screen | |||
| Touch display | Neither offers Touch display |
Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus TG-5 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is going to carry around your camera, you will need to consider its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL3 offers 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 TG-5 has specifications of 113mm x 66mm x 32mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") having a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs).
See the Olympus E-PL3 and Olympus TG-5 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are employing during that time. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the E-PL3 vs the TG-5.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL3 and TG-5 is 88 and 90 respectively.
Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus TG-5 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it can be tough to envision the gap between sensor sizes only by reading through specifications. The image here will help give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL3 and TG-5.
To sum up, both of those cameras come with the identical megapixels but not the same sensor sizes. The E-PL3 provides the larger sensor which is going to make achieving shallower depth of field easier. The more aged E-PL3 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.
Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus TG-5 Screen and ViewFinder
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus TG-5 Specifications
| Olympus PEN E-PL3 | Olympus Tough TG-5 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand | Olympus | Olympus |
| Model | Olympus PEN E-PL3 | Olympus Tough TG-5 |
| Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Waterproof |
| Released | 2011-09-20 | 2017-05-17 |
| Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor Chip | Truepic VI | TruePic VIII |
| Sensor type | CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
| Sensor size | Four Thirds | 1/2.3" |
| Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
| Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 28.1mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Highest resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 4000 x 3000 |
| Highest native ISO | 12800 | 12800 |
| Highest boosted ISO | - | 12800 |
| Minimum native ISO | 200 | 100 |
| RAW support | ||
| Minimum boosted ISO | - | 100 |
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Continuous autofocus | ||
| Single autofocus | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Autofocus multi area | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detection focus | ||
| Contract detection focus | ||
| Phase detection focus | ||
| Number of focus points | 35 | 25 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mounting type | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
| Lens focal range | - | 25-100mm (4.0x) |
| Max aperture | - | f/2.0-4.9 |
| Macro focus range | - | 1cm |
| Total lenses | 107 | - |
| Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of screen | Tilting | Fixed Type |
| Screen sizing | 3 inches | 3 inches |
| Screen resolution | 460k dots | 460k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch friendly | ||
| Screen tech | HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | Electronic (optional) | None |
| Features | ||
| Slowest shutter speed | 60 secs | 4 secs |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/2000 secs |
| Continuous shooting rate | 6.0fps | 20.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual mode | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
| Custom white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash range | no built-in flash | - |
| Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, redeye slow sync, fill, manual, off |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Maximum flash synchronize | 1/160 secs | - |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment | ||
| Average | ||
| Spot | ||
| Partial | ||
| AF area | ||
| Center weighted | ||
| 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 |
| Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 3840x2160 |
| Video data format | AVCHD, Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, H.264 |
| Microphone port | ||
| Headphone port | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | None | Built-In |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | Built-in |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental sealing | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 313 gr (0.69 lbs) | 250 gr (0.55 lbs) |
| Physical dimensions | 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") | 113 x 66 x 32mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") |
| 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 photographs | 340 photographs |
| Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | BLS-5 | LI-92B |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I compatible) |
| Card slots | Single | Single |
| Launch cost | $399 | $449 |