Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax WG-3

Here is a in-depth overview of the Olympus E-PL3 versus Pentax WG-3, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Waterproof by competitors Olympus and Pentax. There exists a sizeable gap among the resolutions of the E-PL3 (12MP) and WG-3 (16MP) and the E-PL3 (Four Thirds) and WG-3 (1/2.3") come with totally different sensor sizing.

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The E-PL3 was brought out 22 months prior to the WG-3 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax WG-3 being a Compact camera.

Before we go through a full comparison, below is a concise summary of how the E-PL3 grades versus the WG-3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

This is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus PEN E-PL3 and Pentax WG-3. The entire galleries are available at Olympus E-PL3 Gallery and Pentax WG-3 Gallery.

For those who are going to carry your camera, you will have to consider its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL3 has physical measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") along with a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs) and the Pentax WG-3 has specifications of 124mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-PL3 versus Pentax WG-3 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you choose at the time. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the E-PL3 compared to the WG-3.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL3 and WG-3 is 88 and 90 respectively.

More often than not, its hard to visualise the difference in sensor sizing simply by researching specifications. The photograph below will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL3 and WG-3.

To sum up, both of these cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-PL3 due to its bigger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field easier and the Pentax WG-3 will render more detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The older E-PL3 will be behind in sensor technology.