Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K-x
88 Imaging
47 Features
52 Overall
49
69 Imaging
51 Features
47 Overall
49
Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K-x 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
- Launched September 2011
- Superseded the Olympus E-PL2
(Full Review)
- 12MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400 (Push to 12800)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
- 1280 x 720 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
- Introduced December 2009
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Lets look more in depth at the Olympus E-PL3 versus Pentax K-x, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the E-PL3 (12MP) and the K-x (12MP) is fairly comparable but the E-PL3 (Four Thirds) and K-x (APS-C) provide totally different sensor size.
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthThe E-PL3 was unveiled 22 months after the K-x making them a generation away from one another. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-x being a Compact SLR camera.
Before we go into a complete comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the E-PL3 grades versus the K-x in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
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Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus PEN E-PL3 & Pentax K-x. The full galleries are provided at Olympus E-PL3 Gallery & Pentax K-x Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Pentax K-x
| E-PL3 | K-x | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | September 2011 | December 2009 | Newer by 22 months | |
| Display type | Tilting | Fixed | Tilting display | |
| Display dimensions | 3" | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") | |
| Display resolution | 460k | 230k | Crisper display (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Pentax K-x over the Olympus E-PL3
| K-x | E-PL3 |
|---|
Common features in the Olympus E-PL3 and Pentax K-x
| E-PL3 | K-x | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus | More precise focus | |||
| Selfie screen | No selfie screen | |||
| Touch display | No Touch display |
Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K-x Physical Comparison
When you are going to travel with your camera, you will have to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PL3 provides exterior measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs) and the Pentax K-x has sizing of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") along with a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs).
Analyze the Olympus E-PL3 versus Pentax K-x in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilising during that time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the E-PL3 and the K-x.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL3 and K-x is 88 and 69 respectively.
Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K-x Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it is very tough to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by seeing technical specs. The image underneath might give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL3 and K-x.
As you have seen, the 2 cameras provide the same megapixel count but not the same sensor dimensions. The E-PL3 contains the smaller sensor which will make getting shallower depth of field trickier. The fresher E-PL3 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.
Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K-x Screen and ViewFinder
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K-x Specifications
| Olympus PEN E-PL3 | Pentax K-x | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Manufacturer | Olympus | Pentax |
| Model type | Olympus PEN E-PL3 | Pentax K-x |
| Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level DSLR |
| Launched | 2011-09-20 | 2009-12-23 |
| Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Compact SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor Chip | Truepic VI | Prime |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
| Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.6 x 15.8mm |
| Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 372.9mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 12MP | 12MP |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 3:2 |
| Max resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 4288 x 2848 |
| Max native ISO | 12800 | 6400 |
| Max enhanced ISO | - | 12800 |
| Lowest native ISO | 200 | 100 |
| RAW photos | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focusing | ||
| Touch to focus | ||
| AF continuous | ||
| Single AF | ||
| AF tracking | ||
| AF selectice | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| Multi area AF | ||
| Live view AF | ||
| Face detection focusing | ||
| Contract detection focusing | ||
| Phase detection focusing | ||
| Total focus points | 35 | 11 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount type | Micro Four Thirds | Pentax KAF2 |
| Total lenses | 107 | 151 |
| Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Tilting | Fixed Type |
| Screen size | 3" | 2.7" |
| Screen resolution | 460k dots | 230k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch display | ||
| Screen tech | HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating | TFT LCD monitor |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder coverage | - | 96 percent |
| Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.57x |
| Features | ||
| Min shutter speed | 60 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Max shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/6000 seconds |
| Continuous shutter rate | 6.0 frames per sec | 5.0 frames per sec |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Custom WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash distance | no built-in flash | 16.00 m |
| Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear curtain, Wireless |
| External flash | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Max flash synchronize | 1/160 seconds | 1/180 seconds |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment metering | ||
| Average metering | ||
| Spot metering | ||
| Partial metering | ||
| AF area metering | ||
| Center weighted metering | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps) |
| Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
| Video format | AVCHD, Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
| Microphone port | ||
| Headphone port | ||
| 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 sealing | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 313 grams (0.69 lb) | 580 grams (1.28 lb) |
| Physical dimensions | 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") | 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall rating | 52 | 72 |
| DXO Color Depth rating | 20.9 | 22.8 |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.3 | 12.5 |
| DXO Low light rating | 499 | 811 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 300 pictures | 1900 pictures |
| Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | BLS-5 | 4 x AA |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC card |
| Card slots | Single | Single |
| Launch cost | $399 | $600 |