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Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus TG-5

Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PL3 front
 
Olympus Tough TG-5 front
Portability
90
Imaging
38
Features
51
Overall
43

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus TG-5 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL3
(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
Olympus TG-5
(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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Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus TG-5 Overview

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.

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The 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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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Olympus TG-5

 E-PL3 TG-5 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-5 over the Olympus E-PL3

 TG-5 E-PL3 
RevealedMay 2017September 2011More 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 size3"3"Same display measurement
Display resolution460k460kSame 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus TG-5 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus TG-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus TG-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus TG-5 as a Portrait photography camera
60
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focus
supports RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
39
you can focus manually
supports face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
no manual control
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PL3
Street photography with Olympus TG-5
84
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
64
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW files
environment proof
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
more heavy than competition (250g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Sports photography advice
Olympus TG-5 Sports photography advice
45
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (12MP)
bad battery pack (300 CIPA)
does not have phase detect auto focus
46
high fps (20.0 frames/s)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports tracking focus
environment proof
good battery (340 shots)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Travel photography information
Olympus TG-5 Travel photography information
44
missing Time Lapse function
bad battery pack (300 shots)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
68
good battery (340 CIPA)
environment proof
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
more heavy than competition (250 grams)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Landscape photography advice
Olympus TG-5 Landscape photography advice
61
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
bad battery pack (300 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse function
57
you can focus manually
pretty wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen is a decent size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW files
environment proof
good battery (340 shots)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
no manual control
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 as a Vlogging camera
Olympus TG-5 as a Vlogging camera
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
missing mic port
34
pretty wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect autofocus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
doesn't have microphone socket
more heavy than competition (250 grams)
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus TG-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL3 and Olympus TG-5
 Olympus PEN E-PL3Olympus 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