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Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K-7

Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PL3 front
 
Pentax K-7 front
Portability
60
Imaging
54
Features
69
Overall
60

Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K-7 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
  • Introduced September 2011
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-PL2
Pentax K-7
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 2000 (Boost to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 750g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Introduced October 2009
  • Successor is Pentax K-5
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K-7 Overview

Here is a detailed overview of the Olympus E-PL3 versus Pentax K-7, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the E-PL3 (12MP) and the K-7 (15MP) is fairly comparable but the E-PL3 (Four Thirds) and K-7 (APS-C) enjoy different sensor measurements.

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The E-PL3 was launched 24 months later than the K-7 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. The two cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-7 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the E-PL3 matches up against the K-7 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Pentax K-7

 E-PL3 K-7 
IntroducedSeptember 2011October 2009Fresher by 24 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Reasons to pick Pentax K-7 over the Olympus E-PL3

 K-7 E-PL3 
Display resolution921k460kCrisper display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PL3 and Pentax K-7

 E-PL3 K-7 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurements
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K-7 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry your camera, you should factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL3 features outside 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) while the Pentax K-7 has proportions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 750 grams (1.65 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-PL3 versus Pentax K-7 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are employing at the time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the E-PL3 and the K-7.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K-7 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL3 and K-7 is 88 and 60 respectively.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K-7 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K-7 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is hard to picture the gap in sensor sizing just by seeing technical specs. The photograph here will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL3 and K-7.

As you can tell, both cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-PL3 due to its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field tougher and the Pentax K-7 will provide extra detail utilizing its extra 3MP. Greater resolution will help you crop images much more aggressively. The newer E-PL3 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K-7 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K-7 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K-7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Portrait photography factors
Pentax K-7 Portrait photography factors
60
you can focus manually
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focus
delivers RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
72
focusing manually
MP count good (15MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Street photography features
Pentax K-7 Street photography features
84
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-7 as a Sports photography camera
45
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 fps)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery life (300 per charge)
does not have phase detect auto focus
69
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (15MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
environment proof
comes with phase detect AF
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PL3
Travel photography with Pentax K-7
44
missing Time Lapse function
not so great battery life (300 shots)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
64
environment proof
MP count good (15 megapixels)
built-in flash
does not have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Landscape photography details
Pentax K-7 Landscape photography details
61
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
not so great battery life (300 per charge)
missing Time Lapse function
77
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PL3
Vlogging with Pentax K-7
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing mic port
25
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focusing
does not have selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone port
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K-7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL3 and Pentax K-7
 Olympus PEN E-PL3Pentax K-7
General Information
Company Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL3 Pentax K-7
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2011-09-20 2009-10-02
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Truepic VI Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 15MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 4672 x 3104
Maximum native ISO 12800 2000
Maximum enhanced ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 35 11
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating TFT color LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 13.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160 seconds 1/180 seconds
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 1536 x 1024 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format AVCHD, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 313 gr (0.69 pounds) 750 gr (1.65 pounds)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 52 61
DXO Color Depth rating 20.9 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 10.6
DXO Low light rating 499 536
Other
Battery life 300 pictures 980 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/MMC
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $399 $599