Olympus E-PL3 vs Sony HX1
88 Imaging
48 Features
52 Overall
49


67 Imaging
32 Features
36 Overall
33
Olympus E-PL3 vs Sony HX1 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
- Released September 2011
- Old Model is Olympus E-PL2
(Full Review)
- 9MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 125 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1440 x 1080 video
- 28-560mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
- 544g - 115 x 83 x 92mm
- Announced April 2009

Olympus E-PL3 vs Sony HX1 Overview
Below, we will be evaluating the Olympus E-PL3 and Sony HX1, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Olympus and Sony. There is a noticeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the E-PL3 (12MP) and HX1 (9MP) and the E-PL3 (Four Thirds) and HX1 (1/2.4") enjoy different sensor size.

The E-PL3 was launched 2 years later than the HX1 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony HX1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.
Before getting straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the E-PL3 matches up vs the HX1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Sony HX1 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus PEN E-PL3 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1. The complete galleries are provided at Olympus E-PL3 Gallery & Sony HX1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Sony HX1
E-PL3 | HX1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | September 2011 | ![]() | April 2009 | Fresher by 30 months |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony HX1 over the Olympus E-PL3
HX1 | E-PL3 |
---|
Common features in the Olympus E-PL3 and Sony HX1
E-PL3 | HX1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More precise focusing | ||
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Tilting | Tilting screen |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical screen size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither offers selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | No Touch screen |
Olympus E-PL3 vs Sony HX1 Physical Comparison
For those who are looking to carry your camera regularly, you should factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL3 offers external measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") with a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs) and the Sony HX1 has measurements of 115mm x 83mm x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 544 grams (1.20 lbs).
See the Olympus E-PL3 and Sony HX1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilising during that time. Following is the front view scale comparison of the E-PL3 vs the HX1.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL3 and HX1 is 88 and 67 respectively.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Sony HX1 Sensor Comparison
Generally, its tough to picture the difference in sensor sizing merely by checking out technical specs. The graphic here will help offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL3 and HX1.
As you have seen, each of the cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-PL3 featuring a bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Olympus E-PL3 will provide more detail utilizing its extra 3MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The more modern E-PL3 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Sony HX1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Sony HX1 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PL3 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Olympus | Sony |
Model | Olympus PEN E-PL3 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Released | 2011-09-20 | 2009-04-22 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | SLR-like (bridge) |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Truepic VI | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | 1/2.4" |
Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 6.104 x 4.578mm |
Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 27.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 9MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 3456 x 2592 |
Highest native ISO | 12800 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 200 | 125 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | 35 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | - | 28-560mm (20.0x) |
Maximum aperture | - | f/2.8-5.2 |
Macro focus range | - | 1cm |
Number of lenses | 107 | - |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Tilting | Tilting |
Display diagonal | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of display | 460k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display tech | HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | Electronic |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 60 secs | 30 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 6.0 frames per second | 10.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 9.20 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | 1/160 secs | - |
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) | 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1440x1080 |
Video format | AVCHD, Motion JPEG | 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 | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 313 grams (0.69 pounds) | 544 grams (1.20 pounds) |
Dimensions | 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") | 115 x 83 x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 52 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | 20.9 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | 10.3 | not tested |
DXO Low light score | 499 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 300 pictures | - |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | BLS-5 | NP-FH50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail cost | $399 | $47,999 |