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Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K-70

Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PL3 front
 
Pentax K-70 front
Portability
62
Imaging
67
Features
81
Overall
72

Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K-70 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
  • Superseded the Olympus E-PL2
Pentax K-70
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 102400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 688g - 126 x 93 x 74mm
  • Released June 2016
  • Newer Model is Pentax KF
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K-70 Overview

In this article, we are reviewing the Olympus E-PL3 and Pentax K-70, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Olympus and Pentax. There is a large difference among the image resolutions of the E-PL3 (12MP) and K-70 (24MP) and the E-PL3 (Four Thirds) and K-70 (APS-C) come with different sensor sizes.

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The E-PL3 was introduced 5 years prior to the K-70 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-70 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving straight into a complete comparison, below is a quick summary of how the E-PL3 grades vs the K-70 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Pentax K-70

 E-PL3 K-70 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-70 over the Olympus E-PL3

 K-70 E-PL3 
ReleasedJune 2016September 2011Fresher by 57 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display resolution921k460kClearer display (+461k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Olympus E-PL3 and Pentax K-70

 E-PL3 K-70 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Touch friendly display Neither provides Touch friendly display

Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K-70 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera, you are going to need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL3 provides outside measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") and a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-70 has dimensions of 126mm x 93mm x 74mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.9") along with a weight of 688 grams (1.52 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-PL3 and Pentax K-70 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you select during that time. Following is the front view size comparison of the E-PL3 against the K-70.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K-70 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the E-PL3 and K-70 is 88 and 62 respectively.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K-70 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K-70 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's hard to picture the gap in sensor sizing simply by going through specs. The photograph underneath may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL3 and K-70.

All in all, both of these cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-PL3 having a smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF harder and the Pentax K-70 will produce extra detail using its extra 12MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos far more aggressively. The older E-PL3 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K-70 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K-70 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K-70 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Portrait photography features
Pentax K-70 Portrait photography features
60
focusing manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
80
focusing manually
good resolution (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-70 as a Street photography camera
84
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
71
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
great ISO range (102,400)
heavier than competitors (688g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Sports photography details
Pentax K-70 Sports photography details
45
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
max frames per second low (6.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (12MP)
bad battery pack (300 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
72
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
environment sealing
comes with phase detect autofocus
max fps low (6.0 frames per second)
not so great battery (410 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Travel photography advice
Pentax K-70 Travel photography advice
44
does not have Time Lapse recording
bad battery pack (300 per charge)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
64
environment sealing
good resolution (24MP)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
not so great battery (410 per charge)
heavier than competitors (688 grams)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-70 as a Landscape photography camera
61
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
bad battery pack (300 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse recording
78
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
no low pass filter
great ISO range (102,400)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
not so great battery (410 shots)
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PL3
Vlogging with Pentax K-70
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
does not have mic port
71
screen is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external mic support
heavier than competitors (688 grams)
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K-70 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL3 and Pentax K-70
 Olympus PEN E-PL3Pentax K-70
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus PEN E-PL3 Pentax K-70
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2011-09-20 2016-06-08
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Truepic VI PRIME MII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Highest resolution 4032 x 3024 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 12800 102400
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 35 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.63x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/6000s
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/160s -
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 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 313 gr (0.69 lb) 688 gr (1.52 lb)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") 126 x 93 x 74mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.9")
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 410 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs, continuous)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I compatible)
Card slots One One
Retail cost $399 $649