Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax MX-1

Let's look more closely at the Olympus E-PL3 and Pentax MX-1, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the E-PL3 (12MP) and the MX-1 (12MP) is very well matched but the E-PL3 (Four Thirds) and MX-1 (1/1.7") provide totally different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The E-PL3 was released 21 months before the MX-1 making them a generation away from one another. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax MX-1 being a Compact camera.

Before we go right into a complete comparison, here is a short overview of how the E-PL3 scores against the MX-1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus PEN E-PL3 & Pentax MX-1. The complete galleries are provided at Olympus E-PL3 Gallery & Pentax MX-1 Gallery.

For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera regularly, you will have to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL3 features external 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 MX-1 has proportions of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") and a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-PL3 and Pentax MX-1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are using during that time. Below is a front view size comparison of the E-PL3 vs the MX-1.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL3 and MX-1 is 88 and 84 respectively.

Sometimes, it is hard to visualise the contrast between sensor dimensions just by reading through technical specs. The pic here might offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL3 and MX-1.

As you can tell, both the cameras provide the same megapixel count but not the same sensor dimensions. The E-PL3 uses the larger sensor which will make getting shallower DOF simpler. The more aged E-PL3 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.