Olympus E-PL3 vs Sony H90

Olympus E-PL3 vs Sony H90: A Friendly Face-off Between an Entry-Level Mirrorless and a Superzoom Compact

When it boils down to choosing a camera, especially in the early 2010s era offerings, the battlefield can be puzzling. On one side, we have the Olympus E-PL3, an entry-level mirrorless camera aimed at enthusiasts craving flexibility without lugging a DSLR. On the other, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H90, a superzoom compact, promising an all-in-one solution with its impressive 16x zoom lens.

I've spent years testing cameras of all stripes, from mirrorless pioneers to pocket-friendly zoomers. Today, we'll navigate the practical differences, technical nuances, and real-world usability that separate these two beasts. Whether you're the budding portrait artist, landscape dreamer, or travel junkie, this comparison aims to settle which camera suits your style - and bank account - best.

Size and Ergonomics: Handling the Beast or Pocket Pal

First impressions matter - and for photographers, how a camera feels in hand often makes or breaks the shooting experience. The Olympus E-PL3, housed in a classic rangefinder-style mirrorless body, exudes a solid yet compact vibe weighing in at 313 grams. The Sony H90 is lighter, more pocketable at 222 grams, designed for grab-and-go ease.

Looking closely, the E-PL3's body dimensions of 110 x 64 x 37 mm give it a reassuring heft and grip surface, which I personally found quite comfortable during extended shoots. It doesn’t try to sneak into your pocket but feels like a trusty companion ready for serious photography.

In contrast, the Sony H90’s smaller 105 x 60 x 34 mm size means it slips into a jacket or cargo pocket unobtrusively - a fantastic advantage for street or travel photographers who dislike bulky gear. However, the compactness comes at the cost of grip security; holding the H90 for long periods, especially at zoomed-in focal lengths, felt a bit precarious.

Design and Controls: Intuitive Layout or Simplified Simplicity?

In a camera, the control layout can either invite you to dive into manual settings or gently ease you through automatic modes. Both cameras aim at ease of use, but with different philosophies.

The Olympus E-PL3 sports a traditional array of dials and buttons - mode dial on top, dedicated exposure compensation dial nearby, and a nifty tilting 3-inch screen. For those familiar with manual photography, its TruePic VI processor backs up a system ripe for learning and experimentation. Notably, the menu system - while not the flashiest - is well structured, letting users navigate quickly without hunting endlessly.

Sony's H90 streamlines its controls, with fewer physical buttons dedicated to exposure options. Its fixed screen (3 inches, 461k dots) is clear but lacks the flair of Olympus's tilting mechanism. The lack of a viewfinder in both models may irk photographers used to framing with their eye, but with the H90’s superzoom, I felt compelled to raise the camera at arm's length - introducing stability challenges.

One subtle advantage of the Olympus is the optional electronic viewfinder (sold separately), which can be a game-changer in bright environments.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: The Mirrorless Edge vs. The Superzoom Compromise

Now we hit the heart of image quality. The Olympus E-PL3 employs a Four Thirds-sized CMOS sensor measuring approximately 17.3 x 13 mm, yielding a sensor area of 225 mm² with 12-megapixel resolution. The Sony H90, on the other hand, packs a much smaller 1/2.3" CCD sensor (6.17 x 4.55 mm, 28 mm²) but ups the megapixels to 16.

So, what does this mean practically? The larger sensor in the Olympus translates to superior image quality, particularly in dynamic range, low-light performance, and noise control. Olympus scores a DxOmark overall rating of 52 (respectable for the era), showing notable color depth (20.9 bits), dynamic range (10.3 EV), and low-light ISO capability up to ISO 499 with usable results.

Conversely, the Sony’s tiny sensor struggles with noise beyond ISO 800, and the CCD technology, while capable of some pleasing tones, tends to falter in shadow recovery and dynamic range - a common limitation in compact superzoom cameras.

Whenever I compared RAW files side by side (Olympus supports RAW, Sony does not), the Olympus's files offered far more latitude in post-processing, providing a noticeable advantage for enthusiasts who like to tweak details.

Display and Interface: Articulated Versus Fixed Screens

The Olympus E-PL3 features a 3-inch HyperCrystal LCD with anti-reflective coating and a tilting design - a boon for shooting at high angles or laying the camera close to the ground. Its 460k-dot resolution, though modest by today’s standards, remains crisp and colorful for framing and menu navigation.

The Sony H90’s 3-inch ClearPhoto TFT LCD matches the resolution (461k dots) but is fixed, limiting flexibility in overpowering sun or tricky angles.

For me, that tilt screen was a daily delight when shooting portraits or macro, where awkward positioning is often mandatory. The Sony’s simpler screen suffices for casual shooting but can frustrate those seeking compositional versatility.

Performance Across Photography Genres: Where Do These Cameras Shine?

Both cameras serve quite different photographic purposes, which becomes clear as we delve into their genre-specific strengths.

Olympus E PL3 screen back Sony H90 front Sony H90 screen back

Portrait Photography

The Olympus E-PL3 shines here thanks to its larger sensor and Micro Four Thirds lenses’ ability to deliver creamy bokeh and accurate skin tones. The camera's 35 contrast-detection autofocus points and face detection help lock focus on eyes effectively - a feature Sony’s H90 also offers but limited by the slower AF and tiny sensor.

Sony's H90, fixed lens best-case aperture of f/3.3-5.9, struggles with background separation - resulting in flatter portraits. Its 16 MP resolution does produce relatively sharp results but at the cost of noisier skin textures in low light. The Olympus's sensor-based stabilization also helps keep portraits sharp without a tripod.

Landscape Photography

Landscape shooters tend to prioritize resolution, dynamic range, and weather sealing. Neither camera boasts robust environmental sealing, so caution is advised in challenging weather.

The Olympus E-PL3’s larger sensor gives it a clear advantage in capturing wider dynamic range scenes, retaining details in shadows and highlights better. Its 12 MP resolution is sufficient for large prints and cropping. Combined with the MFT system's vast lens lineup (over 100 lenses), photographers can select their ideal wide-angle or ultra-sharp prime.

Sony H90’s superzoom lens covers an impressive 24-384mm equivalent, tempting for landscapes on the fly, but with compromises in edge sharpness and chromatic aberration at the extremes. Landscape images tend to look more washed out and less vibrant, given the smaller sensor’s limitations.

Wildlife Photography

Here, speed and telephoto reach take center stage. The Sony H90 offers a whopping 16x zoom (24-384mm equivalent), appealing for casual wildlife shooters who want to get closer without carrying multiple lenses.

However, the E-PL3’s Micro Four Thirds sensor multiplied by a 2.1 crop factor works well with Olympus’s long telephoto lenses (like the 75-300mm f/4.8-6.7) providing extended reach. Its 6 frames per second burst mode, combined with better autofocus tracking, outmatches the Sony’s single frame per second slowpoke performance.

In my field tests, the Olympus kept moving subjects sharp with its continuous AF mode - an essential in sports or wildlife where moments vanish in heartbeats. The Sony’s contrast-detection AF is sluggish, resulting in many missed shots.

Sports Photography

Sports photography demands precision autofocus and high frame rates. The Olympus E-PL3’s 6 FPS continuous shooting, decent AF tracking, and manual exposure options make it a surprisingly capable tool for amateur sports photography.

In contrast, the Sony H90 only shoots at 1 FPS, severely limiting its suitability for action photography. Additionally, its slow shutter ceiling at 1/1600s restricts freezing very fast motion compared to Olympus's more versatile 1/4000s shutter ceiling.

Street Photography

Street photographers value discretion, quick focusing, and portability. The Sony H90 excels in portability and zoom flexibility, an asset when you want to react quickly without switching lenses. Its small size is less intimidating to subjects.

The Olympus E-PL3 demands slightly more attention due to its larger form and sometimes audible shutter. Yet, the silent shooting mode and tilting screen can be leveraged for creative stealth portraits.

Autofocus speed on the Olympus is snappier, especially in tricky street lighting, while Sony’s slower AF can introduce missed candid moments.

Macro Photography

The Olympus wins again thanks to the availability of dedicated macro lenses and sensor-based image stabilization - crucial for steady close-ups.

The Sony’s fixed lens supports focusing as close as 5 cm, suitable for casual macro snaps, but lacks the precision and sharpness topping the Olympus system.

Night and Astro Photography

Olympus delivers superior high ISO performance with usable images up to ISO 1600 and beyond. The ability to shoot RAW and manual exposure modes permits astrophotographers to dial in precise settings.

Sony’s sensor introduces significant noise past ISO 400, quickly limiting its astrophotography usability. Video limited to 720p also constrains night timelapse quality.

Video Capabilities: HD, Stabilization, and Audio

The Olympus E-PL3 supports Full HD 1080p video at 60fps in AVCHD and Motion JPEG formats, offering versatile frame rates for smooth footage. Notably, sensor-based image stabilization works during video capture - great for handheld shooting.

Sony’s H90 captures only 720p video at 30fps in MPEG-4 format, somewhat limiting resolution and flexibility. Optical image stabilization helps smooth out shakes, but lack of microphone ports and limited manual controls prevent serious video aspirations.

For casual video bloggers or travel shooters, Olympus's video performance is more future-proof and enjoyable.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Toughness Worth Considering?

Both cameras lack environmental sealing, rendering them less ideal for harsh conditions or heavy rain. Olympus’s metal mount and solid construction slightly inspire more confidence than Sony's plastic body.

Neither camera is waterproof or shockproof - standard for their categories - but the Olympus's more robust ergonomics make it a more reliable companion on demanding shoots.

Battery Life and Storage: Shooting Longer and Saving Your Shots

The Olympus E-PL3 offers 300 shots per charge (CIPA standard), while the Sony H90 lags slightly at 290 shots, both respectable for their types but clearly requiring extra batteries for full-day excursions.

Storage-wise, both use common SD/SDHC/SDXC cards; the Sony adds compatibility with Sony’s Memory Stick variants, providing additional flexibility for existing Sony users.

Connectivity: The Old School vs. The Modern Minimalist

Neither camera sports wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC), typical for devices from that period. The Olympus features HDMI output for external displays, a convenience missing from the Sony H90.

USB 2.0 ports on both facilitate file transfers but fall short of today’s blazing USB 3.0 speeds. For casual users, this may not be a dealbreaker but is worth keeping in mind if transferring large batches.

Lens Ecosystem: Flexibility versus Convenience

Perhaps the most significant distinction is the lens situation. Olympus, via the Micro Four Thirds mount, supports over 100 lenses ranging from ultra wide primes to super telephoto zooms. That means the E-PL3 can grow with your skills and ambitions.

The Sony H90’s non-interchangeable fixed superzoom lens delivers convenience but limits artistic control - if you mess up the shot, you cannot swap lenses to fix it.

Price and Value: Spending Smarter in 2024

At launch, the Olympus E-PL3 retailed at around $399, while the Sony H90 was cheaper at approximately $230 - reflecting their market segments and intended users.

For photographers prioritizing image quality, creative control, and an expandable system, the Olympus remains a bargain today on the used market (often found under $200) compared to investing in more locked-down compacts.

The Sony H90 is best suited for hobbyists seeking an all-in-one lightweight zoom camera with minimal fuss - think quick shots on vacation.

Performance Scores at a Glance

For those who love hard metric comparisons:

Based on my thorough testing and referencing DXOmark and other benchmarks, the Olympus E-PL3 edges out in image quality, autofocus speed, continuous shooting, and video, while the Sony H90 lags behind except for zoom range and portability.

Digging deeper into genre-specific strengths:

Summary: Who Should Pick Which Camera?

• Choose Olympus E-PL3 if:

  • You want image quality and creative control with RAW support and manual modes.
  • You prioritize portrait, landscape, and macro photography.
  • You’re ready to invest in a system camera with interchangeable lenses.
  • Video matters to you, especially higher resolution and stabilization.
  • You don’t mind a slightly bigger camera and carry extra batteries.

• Choose Sony H90 if:

  • You need a simple, lightweight, pocketable all-in-one with a superzoom lens.
  • Your shooting is mostly travel, street, or casual snapshots.
  • You want to avoid carrying multiple lenses or fiddling with settings.
  • You’re on a tighter budget and want decent image quality for social media-sized pictures.
  • You’re indifferent toward video quality and advanced controls.

Final Thoughts

No one camera fits every need, and this Olympus E-PL3 versus Sony H90 face-off exemplifies the trade-offs between sensor size and zoom versatility, manual control and simplicity, expandable systems and all-in-one convenience.

I've personally found the Olympus E-PL3 an endearing companion that rewards curiosity and persistence with solid results. The Sony H90 is a classic point-and-shoot superzoom relic, best suited for users who prize compactness and reach over image finesse.

Whichever path you take, I hope this deep dive clarifies not just specs - but the shooting experience behind the numbers.

Happy clicking!

For your reference, here are more of my hands-on sample images comparing the two cameras:

Olympus E PL3 screen back Sony H90 front Sony H90 screen back

References and Methodology:

Testing involved hands-on field sessions covering diverse scenarios - portrait setups with controlled lighting, outdoor landscapes at varying light conditions, wildlife action shots requiring rapid autofocus, and video recording tests at all available frame rates. Image quality was assessed using standardized charts and real-world scenes, supported by DXOmark metrics where available. Ergonomics and interface usability were constantly revisited during prolonged daily use.

If questions linger or you want to discuss niche use cases, drop a comment - I love geeking out over cameras.