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Olympus E-PL3 vs Sony HX400V

Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PL3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V front
Portability
62
Imaging
45
Features
60
Overall
51

Olympus E-PL3 vs Sony HX400V Key Specs

Olympus E-PL3
(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
  • Announced September 2011
  • Replaced the Olympus E-PL2
Sony HX400V
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F2.8-6.3) lens
  • 660g - 130 x 93 x 103mm
  • Launched February 2014
  • Previous Model is Sony HX300
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Sony HX400V Overview

In this article, we are analyzing the Olympus E-PL3 and Sony HX400V, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Sony. There is a significant difference among the image resolutions of the E-PL3 (12MP) and HX400V (20MP) and the E-PL3 (Four Thirds) and HX400V (1/2.3") feature different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PL3 was manufactured 3 years before the HX400V which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony HX400V being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before getting in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the E-PL3 scores vs the HX400V in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Sony HX400V

 E-PL3 HX400V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX400V over the Olympus E-PL3

 HX400V E-PL3 
LaunchedFebruary 2014September 2011Newer by 29 months
Display resolution921k460kSharper display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PL3 and Sony HX400V

 E-PL3 HX400V 
Manual focus More exact focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Olympus E-PL3 vs Sony HX400V Physical Comparison

If you're going to travel with your camera often, you should think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL3 has got external measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") having a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs) and the Sony HX400V has dimensions of 130mm x 93mm x 103mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 4.1") with a weight of 660 grams (1.46 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-PL3 and Sony HX400V in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the E-PL3 and the HX400V.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Sony HX400V size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the E-PL3 and HX400V is 88 and 62 respectively.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Sony HX400V top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Sony HX400V Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's tough to imagine the gap in sensor dimensions simply by checking out a spec sheet. The pic below will offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL3 and HX400V.

As you can see, each of these cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-PL3 featuring a larger sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field easier and the Sony HX400V will show extra detail due to its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos far more aggressively. The more aged E-PL3 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Sony HX400V sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Sony HX400V Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL3 vs Sony HX400V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony HX400V as a Portrait photography camera
60
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focus
saves RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
51
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
comes with face detection focus
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Street photography highlights
Sony HX400V Street photography highlights
84
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
50
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
heavier than others in class (660 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Sports photography advice
Sony HX400V Sports photography advice
45
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
low battery (300 per charge)
no phase detect auto focus
55
incredible zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Travel photography info
Sony HX400V Travel photography info
44
lack of Time Lapse mode
low battery (300 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
53
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
long zoom (1200mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
heavier than others in class (660 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Landscape photography highlights
Sony HX400V Landscape photography highlights
61
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
low battery (300 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse mode
49
focusing manually
reasonably wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Vlogging features
Sony HX400V Vlogging features
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
lack of mic port
29
reasonably wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external mic support
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
heavier than others in class (660g)
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Sony HX400V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL3 and Sony HX400V
 Olympus PEN E-PL3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model Olympus PEN E-PL3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2011-09-20 2014-02-12
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by Truepic VI Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4032 x 3024 5184 x 3888
Highest native ISO 12800 12800
Minimum native ISO 200 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 35 9
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-1200mm (50.0x)
Max aperture - f/2.8-6.3
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 8.50 m (ISO Auto)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Flash Off / Autoflash / Fill-flash / Slow Sync. / Advanced Flash / Rear Sync. / Wireless (with optional compliant flash)
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160 seconds -
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 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 313g (0.69 lb) 660g (1.46 lb)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") 130 x 93 x 103mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 4.1")
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 photos 300 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, portrait)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Cost at release $399 $448