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Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K-x

Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PL3 front
 
Pentax K-x front
Portability
69
Imaging
52
Features
47
Overall
50

Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K-x 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
  • Launched September 2011
  • Superseded the Olympus E-PL2
Pentax K-x
(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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Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K-x Overview

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.

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The 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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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Pentax K-x

 E-PL3 K-x 
IntroducedSeptember 2011December 2009Newer by 22 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K-x size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Portrait photography details
Pentax K-x Portrait photography details
60
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
features face detection focus
exports RAW formats
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
63
focusing manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Street photography information
Pentax K-x Street photography information
84
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Sports photography details
Pentax K-x Sports photography details
45
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
slow fps (6.0 frames per second)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
terrible battery power (300 per charge)
lack of phase detect auto focus
61
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
great battery pack (1,900 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Travel photography features
Pentax K-x Travel photography features
44
lack of Timelapse recording
terrible battery power (300 per charge)
resolution not great (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
54
great battery pack (1,900 per charge)
built-in flash
no Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL3
Landscape photography with Pentax K-x
61
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
resolution not great (12MP)
terrible battery power (300 shots)
lack of Timelapse recording
61
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
great battery pack (1,900 CIPA)
small screen (2.7")
megapixel count low (12MP)
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-x as a Vlogging camera
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of external microphone port
27
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect autofocus
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no microphone socket
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K-x Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL3 and Pentax K-x
 Olympus PEN E-PL3Pentax 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