Olympus E-PL3 vs Samsung NX210
88 Imaging
48 Features
52 Overall
49


90 Imaging
61 Features
57 Overall
59
Olympus E-PL3 vs Samsung NX210 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
- Introduced September 2011
- Replaced the Olympus E-PL2
(Full Review)
- 20MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Samsung NX Mount
- 222g - 117 x 63 x 37mm
- Announced August 2012
- Previous Model is Samsung NX200
- Later Model is Samsung NX300

Olympus E-PL3 vs Samsung NX210 Overview
The following is a extensive comparison of the Olympus E-PL3 versus Samsung NX210, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by companies Olympus and Samsung. There exists a sizeable gap between the image resolutions of the E-PL3 (12MP) and NX210 (20MP) and the E-PL3 (Four Thirds) and NX210 (APS-C) come with different sensor dimensions.

The E-PL3 was revealed 10 months earlier than the NX210 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before getting straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the E-PL3 grades versus the NX210 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Samsung NX210 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus PEN E-PL3 and Samsung NX210. The full galleries are available at Olympus E-PL3 Gallery and Samsung NX210 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Samsung NX210
E-PL3 | NX210 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Reasons to pick Samsung NX210 over the Olympus E-PL3
NX210 | E-PL3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | August 2012 | ![]() | September 2011 | Newer by 10 months |
Screen resolution | 614k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper screen (+154k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus E-PL3 and Samsung NX210
E-PL3 | NX210 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More accurate focus | ||
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical screen sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither includes Touch screen |
Olympus E-PL3 vs Samsung NX210 Physical Comparison
If you're going to travel with your camera often, you need to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PL3 features outer measurements 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 Samsung NX210 has sizing of 117mm x 63mm x 37mm (4.6" x 2.5" x 1.5") with a weight of 222 grams (0.49 lbs).
Check out the Olympus E-PL3 versus Samsung NX210 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have attached at the time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the E-PL3 versus the NX210.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL3 and NX210 is 88 and 90 respectively.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Samsung NX210 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, its difficult to picture the gap between sensor dimensions only by reading through specifications. The pic below might give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL3 and NX210.
Plainly, both of the cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-PL3 with its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF more difficult and the Samsung NX210 will resolve greater detail because of its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs much more aggressively. The more aged E-PL3 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Samsung NX210 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Samsung NX210 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PL3 | Samsung NX210 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Olympus | Samsung |
Model | Olympus PEN E-PL3 | Samsung NX210 |
Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Introduced | 2011-09-20 | 2012-08-14 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Truepic VI | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.5 x 15.7mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 369.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 20MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 5472 x 3648 |
Max native ISO | 12800 | 12800 |
Minimum native ISO | 200 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | 35 | 15 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | Samsung NX |
Available lenses | 107 | 32 |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Tilting | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen resolution | 460k dot | 614k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Screen technology | HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating | Active Matrix OLED screen |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 60 secs | 30 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 6.0 frames/s | 8.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | no built-in flash |
Flash options | 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 |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | 1/160 secs | 1/180 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), 1920 x 810 (24 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | AVCHD, Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 313g (0.69 pounds) | 222g (0.49 pounds) |
Dimensions | 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") | 117 x 63 x 37mm (4.6" x 2.5" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 52 | 71 |
DXO Color Depth score | 20.9 | 22.8 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 10.3 | 12.5 |
DXO Low light score | 499 | 719 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 300 shots | 330 shots |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | BLS-5 | BC1030 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 sec to 30 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | One | One |
Price at release | $399 | $625 |