Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax Q
88 Imaging
48 Features
52 Overall
49
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93 Imaging
35 Features
47 Overall
39
Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax Q Key Specs
(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
- Revealed September 2011
- Earlier Model is Olympus E-PL2
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 125 - 6400
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax Q Mount
- 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
- Released June 2011
- Successor is Pentax Q10
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax Q Overview
Here, we are analyzing the Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax Q, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by brands Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the E-PL3 (12MP) and the Q (12MP) is very close but the E-PL3 (Four Thirds) and Q (1/2.3") provide different sensor sizes.
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The E-PL3 was released 3 months later than the Q which means that they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before we go straight to a in depth comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the E-PL3 grades versus the Q when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax Q Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus PEN E-PL3 and Pentax Q. The complete galleries are viewable at Olympus E-PL3 Gallery and Pentax Q Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Pentax Q
E-PL3 | Q | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Olympus E-PL3
Q | E-PL3 |
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Common features in the Olympus E-PL3 and Pentax Q
E-PL3 | Q | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | September 2011 | ![]() | June 2011 | Same generation |
Manual focus | ![]() | More accurate focusing | ||
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same display dimensions |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 460k | Equal display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Lacking Touch friendly display |
Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison
In case you're intending to lug around your camera often, you will have to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL3 enjoys outside dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") having a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs) while the Pentax Q has proportions of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).
Check out the Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax Q in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you use at that moment. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the E-PL3 vs the Q.
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Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL3 and Q is 88 and 93 respectively.
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison
Quite often, its difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor measurements simply by looking through specs. The visual here will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL3 and Q.
As you can plainly see, both cameras feature the identical megapixels but different sensor measurements. The E-PL3 has the larger sensor which will make achieving shallow depth of field easier.
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder
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Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
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Street Comparison
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Sports Comparison
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Travel Comparison
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Landscape Comparison
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Vlogging Comparison
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax Q Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PL3 | Pentax Q | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Olympus | Pentax |
Model type | Olympus PEN E-PL3 | Pentax Q |
Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2011-09-20 | 2011-06-23 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Truepic VI | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 12800 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 200 | 125 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Total focus points | 35 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Micro Four Thirds | Pentax Q |
Available lenses | 107 | 8 |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Tilting | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3" | 3" |
Display resolution | 460k dot | 460k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Display tech | HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating | TFT Color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 60 secs | 30 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 6.0 frames per sec | 2.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | 5.60 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | 1/160 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | AVCHD, Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 313 grams (0.69 pounds) | 180 grams (0.40 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") | 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 52 | 47 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 20.9 | 20.2 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.3 | 11.1 |
DXO Low light rating | 499 | 189 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 300 photos | 230 photos |
Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | BLS-5 | D-LI68 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | One | One |
Cost at launch | $399 | $695 |