Olympus E-PL3 vs. Sony HX10V: A Hands-On Comparison for Enthusiasts and Professionals

Choosing the right camera sometimes feels like navigating a labyrinth, especially when the options come from wildly different categories. That’s why I’m excited to pit two quite distinct yet popular shooters against each other: the Olympus PEN E-PL3, an entry-level mirrorless camera with a Micro Four Thirds sensor, and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX10V, a compact superzoom with a small sensor but an impressively versatile lens. I’ve spent weeks shooting with both - and today, I’ll share how these contenders perform across photography disciplines, from portraits to wildlife, landscapes to video.

Let’s open up this comparison with a look at the cameras’ physical form and how they feel in the hand, before diving into the tech specs and real-world shooting scenarios. Think of it as stretching the legs before the long run.

The Feel Factor: Size, Build, and Ergonomics

Handling a camera is where first impressions stick, and frankly, Olympus and Sony offer two distinct experiences here.

At first glance and in hand, the Olympus E-PL3 sports a classic rangefinder-style mirrorless bulge, sporting a 110x64x37 mm body weighing 313g - light enough for all-day use without elbow protests. The layout feels roomy for thicker fingers with decent grip support, though the smaller scale of a Micro Four Thirds sensor allows Olympus to keep things compact overall. Controls are simple but effective, ideal for those wanting manual exposure without the bulk of a DSLR.

On the other hand, the Sony HX10V is a true compact marvel at 105x60x34 mm and 234g, making it noticeably smaller and lighter. The grip is minimalist but enough for casual handheld shooting. Its fixed lens compact body screams travel-friendly and pocketable - something the Olympus can’t quite claim due to interchangeable lenses adding bulk.

If you like clubs for your thumbs and sturdy button clusters, the Olympus edges out with better tactile feedback. Sony’s buttons feel a bit cramped and less refined, a typical compromise in small superzooms. But for sneaky street shots, the HX10V’s diminutive size is a boon.

Looking down from above, Olympus routes more dedicated dials - exposure compensation, shooting modes, and command dials - to the top plate. Sony keeps the interface minimal, relying on menus and fewer shortcut buttons. Initially less intuitive, but flashier if you prefer shooting fully automatic.

Verdict: Olympus favors ergonomics and manual engagement; Sony sells portability and pocketability.

Sensor and Image Quality: Size Matters (Usually)

The heart of photographic quality beats in the sensor, and here both diverge quite strongly.

The Olympus E-PL3’s Four Thirds sensor measures 17.3x13 mm (224.9 mm² area) with a modest 12-megapixel resolution. While a decade old and modest by today’s standards, this CMOS sensor with TruePic VI processor delivers good dynamic range (~10.3 EV), respectable color depth (20.9 bits), and low-light performance rated to an ISO 499 threshold by DxOmark. It also offers RAW support and a native ISO range from 200-12,800. The sensor size is a solid balance - much larger than typical compacts - for deeper depth and better low-light performance.

The Sony HX10V, in contrast, packs a tiny 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensor measuring only 6.17x4.55 mm (28.07 mm²), but its impressive 18-megapixel count yields high-resolution JPEGs at 4896x3672 pixels. The sensor size inevitably limits dynamic range and noise performance, as small sensors gather less light per pixel. Sony’s BIONZ engine is sweet at reducing noise, but in practice, images degrade quicker when you crank ISO above 800 or so. Plus, a lack of RAW support means fixed JPEG processing, limiting postproduction flexibility.

In controlled tests, Olympus’ larger sensor provides richer colors, smoother gradations, and punchier images, especially notable in low light and landscapes. Sony’s sensor excels in bright light and benefits from its versatile zoom, but don’t expect miracles when shadows deepen or light dims.

Practical takeaway: For image quality purists, Olympus wins hands down. If you prioritize reach and resolution over raw image control, Sony remains tempting.

LCD Screens and Interface: Live View Experience

Both cameras offer live view but take very different approaches in display tech and interface responsiveness.

The Olympus E-PL3 sports a 3-inch tilting HyperCrystal LCD rated at 460k dots with anti-reflective coating. The tilting mechanism is invaluable for shooting from high or awkward angles, a bonus many entry-level cameras lack - even today. The screen provides accurate color and decent brightness under daylight, though not super high-res by modern standards.

Sony HX10V matches the 3-inch size but cranks resolution up sharply to 922k dots on its fixed XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD. This brings remarkably crisp preview images, and the high contrast is pleasant for rich viewing in bright conditions, though the lack of tilt limits creative framing from extreme angles. Both lack touchscreen functionality, which is unfortunate but expected given their age.

Menu systems follow their brand identities. Olympus menus are logical, clustered by shooting modes and adjustable with a straightforward command dial and buttons. Sony’s menus run deep but can feel clunky, especially without a touchscreen. Still, Sony’s compact form factor demands some compromise here.

If you’re a tilters and touchers kind of shooter, Olympus E-PL3’s screen will please. For razor-sharp fixed-screen viewing, Sony feels premium.

Zoom and Lens Ecosystem: Swapable Freedom vs. Fixed Convenience

Call me old-fashioned, but lens flexibility remains crucial. Let’s talk glass.

The Olympus E-PL3 uses the widely adopted and mature Micro Four Thirds mount, which unlocks access to 107 lenses from Olympus, Panasonic, and third parties - ranging from nifty 17mm primes to pro zooms that could cover wild sports or delicate macro.

This versatility allows the E-PL3 to serve as a serious tool across genres: snag a fast 25mm f/1.8 for portraits, a 40-150mm zoom for wildlife, or a macro lens for close-ups. Plus, image stabilization built into the sensor helps blunt camera shake even with slower lenses.

By contrast, the Sony HX10V has a fixed 24-400mm F3.3-5.9 zoom, a superzoom marvel with a 16.7x magnification. You get immense framing flexibility on the fly without swapping lens clubs for thumbs - but it comes with optical compromises. The variable aperture and long zoom range invite softness at the tele end and reduced low-light efficacy.

Also, Sony’s small sensor demands critical sharpness from the lens to squeeze out detail. Overall, it’s a jack-of-all-trades lens optimized for convenience and range.

Whether fixed lens or interchangeable makes more sense depends on your photography goals. Olympus offers serious expansion, Sony bets on all-in-one simplicity.

Autofocus Systems: Tracking, Speed, and Precision in the Real World

Autofocus (AF) ability often decides success or frustration, so I ran both through rigorous focus speed and accuracy tests.

Olympus E-PL3 features a 35-point contrast-detection AF system capable of continuous, single-shot, tracking, and face detection focusing. Although notably no phase detection, it remains accurate in daylight and performs solidly in AF tracking of moving subjects, in line with typical entry-level mirrorless cameras of the era.

Sony HX10V relies on a 9-point contrast-detect AF system optimized for single shot with face-detection and center-weighted AF. Continuous AF and burst AF tracking aren’t supported, meaning the HX10V lags behind Olympus when subjects move.

Testing summary:

• For portraits and street photography, both cameras focus accurately and quickly enough under good light.
• Landscape and macro - focusing speed less critical; both perform fine.
• Wildlife and sports - Olympus’s AF tracking shows advantage for fast-moving targets.
• Low-light AF hunting is a weak point on both, but Olympus retains better accuracy with face detect.

In short, Olympus pursues AF versatility; Sony keeps it simple but less adaptable.

Burst Shooting and Frame Rates: Catch Your Action

Speed matters for those chasing fleeting moments. Olympus E-PL3 offers 6fps continuous shooting, respectable for an entry-level mirrorless camera, enabling burst captures of candid portraits or moderate sports.

Sony HX10V pushes 10fps burst speed in images but only offers single shot AF, meaning the first frame is sharp, but follow-ups risk focus lag.

For serious action shooters, Olympus’s continuous AF plus burst combo is more reliable. Sony is a good option for casual burst needs but not for professional sports or wildlife assignments.

Weather Sealing and Durability: Can They Take a Beating?

Neither camera sports weather sealing or rugged features - typical for their price and class. Both are vulnerable to dust, moisture, and shock. Olympus E-PL3’s metal mounts and sturdier grip inspire more confidence for regular outdoor use, but be mindful of conditions. Sony’s compact build favors portability but at the cost of durability.

For professional outdoor work, neither model is ideal without protective gear.

Battery Life and Storage: Keeping You in the Game

Battery endurance is often overlooked until it fails mid-shoot. Olympus E-PL3’s BLS-5 battery ships with a 300 shot rating (CIPA standard), while Sony HX10V’s NP-BG1 claims 320 shots per charge.

Practically, these numbers match my experience: shooting casual to moderate volumes sees both last a good day, but heavy burst or video drains quickly, so carry spares.

Storage-wise, Olympus supports standard SD/SDHC/SDXC cards; Sony reads both memory sticks and SD-format cards, giving extra flexibility. Both have one card slot.

Video Performance: Shooting Moving Moments

Both cameras can record Full HD video at 1080p/60 fps, quite advanced for their respective release years.

Olympus E-PL3 encodes video in AVCHD or Motion JPEG formats, giving higher quality footage but no microphone or headphone ports. Stabilization is sensor-based, helping video shake.

Sony HX10V outputs MPEG-4 and AVCHD and adds inbuilt GPS tagging (a travel bonus). However, optical steady shot stabilization in video is improved but noisier than Olympus's sensor stabilization.

Neither supports 4K or advanced video codecs today, but their video is reliable for casual clips and social sharing.

Shooting Across Genres: Which Camera Shines Where?

I found it useful to test both cameras across various photography types to match their real abilities with your interests.

Olympus E PL3 screen back Sony HX10V front Sony HX10V screen back

Tech Rundown: What Powers These Cameras Behind the Scenes?

• Processors: Olympus TruePic VI vs. Sony’s BIONZ - both solid, enable good noise reduction and edge sharpening but won’t compete with today’s AI-enhanced engines.
• Autofocus: Contrast detect only, no hybrid systems - gaps when tracking complex moving subjects.
• Stabilization: Olympus’s sensor-shift IS vs. Sony’s optical lens stabilization - both effective but sensor-based tends to work across lenses.
• Connectivity: Sony gets GPS and Eye-Fi compatible wireless transfers; Olympus has no wireless connectivity.
• Ports: Both have HDMI and USB 2.0 but no microphone or headphone jacks.
• File formats: Olympus supports RAW for flexible editing; Sony only JPEG.

Price and Value: Stretching Your Dollars

At current market rates (used or discounted as these are older models), the Olympus E-PL3 hovers around $400, and the Sony HX10V sits near $600.

Considering value, the Olympus offers more system expandability, better image quality, and manual control for less money. The Sony justifies its premium more for travelers wanting one-lens simplicity and a huge zoom reach.

Pros and Cons: Quick Reference

Olympus E-PL3 – Pros

• Larger Four Thirds sensor with RAW support and better image quality
• Interchangeable lens mount with 100+ lenses
• Tilting LCD screen for flexible composition
• Sensor-based image stabilization
• Better continuous AF and burst for action
• Superior low-light performance

Olympus E-PL3 – Cons

• No built-in flash (external only)
• No wireless connectivity
• Slightly larger and heavier than compact cameras
• No EVF included (optional only)

Sony HX10V – Pros

• Compact, pocketable superzoom with 24-400mm lens
• High-res 18MP images with sharp fixed lens
• Built-in GPS for geotagging
• Higher res LCD screen for preview clarity
• Faster burst shooting for simple sequences
• Built-in flash

Sony HX10V – Cons

• Small 1/2.3" sensor limits image quality and dynamic range
• No RAW mode limits editing potential
• No continuous AF or burst focus tracking
• Fixed lens restricts creative flexibility
• Limited manual exposure modes (no aperture priority)

Final Thoughts: Which Camera Do You Need?

• If image quality, creative control, and expandable system options appeal: Olympus E-PL3 is my top pick for enthusiasts who want room to grow, better portraits, wildlife, and landscapes. The sensor size alone makes it the better long-term investment for serious photography.

• If ultimate portability, superzoom reach, and travel convenience are your priorities: Sony HX10V shines as an all-in-one pocket camera that covers from wide angles to distant subjects quickly, perfect for vacationers, street shooters, or "grab and go" occasions where lens changing isn’t welcome.

Photography requires matching camera strengths with your style and planned use cases. Neither camera is cutting edge today, but both still hold value for budget-conscious buyers craving solid technical bases.

To recap visually:

Olympus E PL3 screen back Sony HX10V front Sony HX10V screen back

If you want to dive deeper into any specific shooting styles or test scenarios, I’m happy to help with further insights. Meanwhile, happy shooting - may your next capture be your best!

This comprehensive review reflects my hands-on testing and detailed analysis of the Olympus E-PL3 and Sony HX10V based on their key specs, features, and real-world performance to guide well-informed photography gear choices.