Olympus E-PL3 vs Samsung NX11
88 Imaging
47 Features
52 Overall
49
80 Imaging
54 Features
50 Overall
52
Olympus E-PL3 vs Samsung NX11 Key Specs
(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
- Succeeded the Olympus E-PL2
(Full Review)
- 15MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- 1280 x 720 video
- Samsung NX Mount
- 499g - 123 x 87 x 40mm
- Revealed December 2010
- Succeeded the Samsung NX10
- Newer Model is Samsung NX20
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Its time to look a bit more in depth at the Olympus E-PL3 and Samsung NX11, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by competitors Olympus and Samsung. The image resolution of the E-PL3 (12MP) and the NX11 (15MP) is relatively comparable but the E-PL3 (Four Thirds) and NX11 (APS-C) possess totally different sensor dimensions.
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music videoThe E-PL3 was launched 9 months later than the NX11 and they are both of a similar age. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Samsung NX11 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.
Before we go through a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple view of how the E-PL3 scores vs the NX11 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
Photography Glossary Olympus E-PL3 vs Samsung NX11 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus PEN E-PL3 & Samsung NX11. The complete galleries are viewable at Olympus E-PL3 Gallery & Samsung NX11 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Samsung NX11
| E-PL3 | NX11 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revealed | September 2011 | December 2010 | More recent by 9 months | |
| Screen type | Tilting | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Reasons to pick Samsung NX11 over the Olympus E-PL3
| NX11 | E-PL3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen resolution | 614k | 460k | Clearer screen (+154k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus E-PL3 and Samsung NX11
| E-PL3 | NX11 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus | Dial precise focusing | |||
| Screen sizing | 3" | 3" | Equivalent screen sizing | |
| Selfie screen | Lack of selfie screen | |||
| Touch screen | Lack of Touch screen |
Olympus E-PL3 vs Samsung NX11 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is going to lug around your camera frequently, you'll need to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL3 has got exterior 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 Samsung NX11 has proportions of 123mm x 87mm x 40mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 1.6") and a weight of 499 grams (1.10 lbs).
Check the Olympus E-PL3 and Samsung NX11 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you select at the time. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the E-PL3 and the NX11.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL3 and NX11 is 88 and 80 respectively.
Olympus E-PL3 vs Samsung NX11 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it is very hard to visualise the contrast in sensor measurements only by checking out specifications. The graphic underneath will offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL3 and NX11.
To sum up, both the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The E-PL3 due to its smaller sensor will make getting shallower DOF more difficult and the Samsung NX11 will produce more detail utilizing its extra 3 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs far more aggressively. The more recent E-PL3 will have an advantage in sensor technology.
Olympus E-PL3 vs Samsung NX11 Screen and ViewFinder
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Samsung NX11 Specifications
| Olympus PEN E-PL3 | Samsung NX11 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand Name | Olympus | Samsung |
| Model type | Olympus PEN E-PL3 | Samsung NX11 |
| Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
| Launched | 2011-09-20 | 2010-12-28 |
| Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | SLR-style mirrorless |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Chip | Truepic VI | DRIM Engine |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
| Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
| Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 365.0mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 15 megapixels |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Highest resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 4592 x 3056 |
| Highest native ISO | 12800 | 3200 |
| Lowest native ISO | 200 | 100 |
| RAW format | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Touch to focus | ||
| Autofocus continuous | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Selective autofocus | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Multi area autofocus | ||
| Autofocus live view | ||
| Face detection focus | ||
| Contract detection focus | ||
| Phase detection focus | ||
| Total focus points | 35 | 15 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount type | Micro Four Thirds | Samsung NX |
| Amount of lenses | 107 | 32 |
| Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Tilting | Fixed Type |
| Screen sizing | 3" | 3" |
| Resolution of screen | 460k dots | 614k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch functionality | ||
| Screen tech | HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating | Active Matrix OLED screen |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | Electronic |
| Viewfinder coverage | - | 100 percent |
| Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.57x |
| Features | ||
| Lowest shutter speed | 60s | 30s |
| Highest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
| Continuous shooting rate | 6.0 frames per sec | 3.0 frames per sec |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Set white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash distance | no built-in flash | 11.00 m |
| Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, 1st/2nd Curtain, Smart Flash, Manual |
| External flash | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Highest flash synchronize | 1/160s | 1/180s |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment metering | ||
| Average metering | ||
| Spot metering | ||
| Partial metering | ||
| AF area metering | ||
| Center weighted metering | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
| Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
| Video data format | AVCHD, Motion JPEG | H.264 |
| Microphone support | ||
| Headphone support | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | None | None |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | Optional |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental sealing | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 313 grams (0.69 lbs) | 499 grams (1.10 lbs) |
| Dimensions | 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") | 123 x 87 x 40mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 1.6") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around rating | 52 | 63 |
| DXO Color Depth rating | 20.9 | 22.7 |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.3 | 10.8 |
| DXO Low light rating | 499 | 553 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 300 photos | 400 photos |
| Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | BLS-5 | BP1130 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 sec to 30 sec) |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC |
| Card slots | One | One |
| Launch price | $399 | $626 |