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Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K100D

Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PL3 front
 
Pentax K100D front
Portability
64
Imaging
45
Features
36
Overall
41

Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K100D 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
  • Released September 2011
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-PL2
Pentax K100D
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 660g - 129 x 93 x 70mm
  • Revealed December 2006
  • Later Model is Pentax K100D S
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K100D Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Olympus E-PL3 versus Pentax K100D, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Olympus and Pentax. There is a sizeable difference among the resolutions of the E-PL3 (12MP) and K100D (6MP) and the E-PL3 (Four Thirds) and K100D (APS-C) provide different sensor sizing.

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The E-PL3 was announced 4 years later than the K100D and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K100D being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go into a thorough comparison, here is a short overview of how the E-PL3 matches up against the K100D when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Pentax K100D

 E-PL3 K100D 
RevealedSeptember 2011December 2006Fresher by 59 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k210kCrisper display (+250k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K100D over the Olympus E-PL3

 K100D E-PL3 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL3 and Pentax K100D

 E-PL3 K100D 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K100D Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera frequently, you will want to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL3 features external 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 K100D has proportions of 129mm x 93mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.8") with a weight of 660 grams (1.46 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-PL3 versus Pentax K100D in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are employing at that moment. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the E-PL3 against the K100D.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K100D size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL3 and K100D is 88 and 64 respectively.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K100D top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K100D Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be tough to picture the difference in sensor sizing purely by viewing specifications. The graphic below should provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL3 and K100D.

Plainly, both the cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-PL3 using its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF more difficult and the Olympus E-PL3 will provide you with greater detail with its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop images way more aggressively. The younger E-PL3 should have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K100D sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K100D Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K100D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K100D as a Portrait photography camera
60
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
low resolution (12 megapixels)
51
manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no liveview feature
MP count low (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K100D as a Street photography camera
84
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
58
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen is fixed
heavier than competition (660 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K100D as a Sports photography camera
45
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
max fps low (6.0 frames per second)
low resolution (12MP)
low battery pack (300 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
47
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
MP count low (6 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Travel photography advice
Pentax K100D Travel photography advice
44
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low battery pack (300 CIPA)
low resolution (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
42
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse function
heavier than competition (660g)
MP count low (6 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Landscape photography details
Pentax K100D Landscape photography details
61
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
low resolution (12MP)
low battery pack (300 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
52
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen is small (2.5 inch)
no liveview feature
MP count low (6 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PL3
Vlogging with Pentax K100D
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone jack
9
no video shooting
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K100D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL3 and Pentax K100D
 Olympus PEN E-PL3Pentax K100D
General Information
Make Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus PEN E-PL3 Pentax K100D
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2011-09-20 2006-12-03
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Truepic VI -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 6 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 3008 x 2008
Max native ISO 12800 3200
Min native ISO 200 200
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 35 11
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF
Amount of lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 2.5 inches
Display resolution 460k dot 210k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format AVCHD, Motion JPEG -
Mic input
Headphone input
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 313g (0.69 pounds) 660g (1.46 pounds)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") 129 x 93 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 shots -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model BLS-5 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC card
Storage slots One One
Retail price $399 $0