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Olympus E-PL3 vs Sony ZV-E1

Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PL3 front
 
Sony ZV-E1 front
Portability
80
Imaging
67
Features
89
Overall
75

Olympus E-PL3 vs Sony ZV-E1 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL3
(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
  • Older Model is Olympus E-PL2
Sony ZV-E1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.00" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 102400 (Push to 409600)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 1920 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 483g - 121 x 72 x 54mm
  • Announced March 2023
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-PL3 vs Sony ZV-E1 Overview

Its time to look a bit more closely at the Olympus E-PL3 versus Sony ZV-E1, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by companies Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the E-PL3 (12MP) and the ZV-E1 (12MP) is relatively well matched but the E-PL3 (Four Thirds) and ZV-E1 (Full frame) offer different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PL3 was launched 12 years prior to the ZV-E1 which is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before delving right into a complete comparison, here is a short introduction of how the E-PL3 matches up vs the ZV-E1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Sony ZV-E1

 E-PL3 ZV-E1 

Reasons to pick Sony ZV-E1 over the Olympus E-PL3

 ZV-E1 E-PL3 
AnnouncedMarch 2023September 2011Newer by 140 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1037k460kSharper screen (+577k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-PL3 and Sony ZV-E1

 E-PL3 ZV-E1 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Screen dimensions3"3.00"Equal screen sizing

Olympus E-PL3 vs Sony ZV-E1 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to travel with your camera, you will need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL3 features physical 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 Sony ZV-E1 has dimensions of 121mm x 72mm x 54mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 2.1") and a weight of 483 grams (1.06 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-PL3 versus Sony ZV-E1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the E-PL3 versus the ZV-E1.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Sony ZV-E1 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL3 and ZV-E1 is 88 and 80 respectively.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Sony ZV-E1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Sony ZV-E1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by checking specifications. The pic here should give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL3 and ZV-E1.

Plainly, both of these cameras provide the same megapixel count albeit different sensor dimensions. The E-PL3 has got the tinier sensor which should make obtaining shallow DOF tougher. The more aged E-PL3 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Sony ZV-E1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Sony ZV-E1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL3 vs Sony ZV-E1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL3
Portrait photography with Sony ZV-E1
60
focusing manually
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focusing
saves RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
72
manual focus
large sensor size (Full frame)
has face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
low resolution (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Street photography info
Sony ZV-E1 Street photography info
84
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
84
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
features focus by touch
environment proof
lighter than average in class (483g)
great ISO range (102,400)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Sports photography advice
Sony ZV-E1 Sports photography advice
45
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery (300 per charge)
has no phase detect AF
72
quiet shooting (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
environment proof
better than average battery life (570 per charge)
supports phase detect autofocus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/ seconds)
low resolution (12MP)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Travel photography information
Sony ZV-E1 Travel photography information
44
no Timelapse function
not so great battery (300 shots)
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
79
better than average battery life (570 per charge)
lighter than average in class (483 grams)
environment proof
has bluetooth
features focus by touch
selfie friendly display
low resolution (12 megapixels)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Landscape photography advice
Sony ZV-E1 Landscape photography advice
61
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery (300 CIPA)
no Timelapse function
79
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3.00 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
great ISO range (102,400)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
better than average battery life (570 per charge)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Vlogging features
Sony ZV-E1 Vlogging features
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
no microphone support
85
selfie friendly display
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detection autofocus
good video quality (3840 x 1920 pxls)
comes with external microphone support
lighter than average in class (483 grams)
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Sony ZV-E1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL3 and Sony ZV-E1
 Olympus PEN E-PL3Sony ZV-E1
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL3 Sony ZV-E1
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Released 2011-09-20 2023-03-29
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Truepic VI -
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 4240 x 2832
Max native ISO 12800 102400
Max enhanced ISO - 409600
Minimum native ISO 200 80
RAW pictures
Minimum enhanced ISO - 40
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 35 759
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Amount of lenses 107 195
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fully Articulated
Display size 3 inch 3.00 inch
Resolution of display 460k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s -
Fastest quiet shutter speed - 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 6.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) no built-in flash
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160s -
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) 3840 x 2160 @ 120p / 280 3840 x 2160 @ 100p / 280 Mbps, XA3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 140 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 140 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 1920x1080 3840x1920
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, XAVC S, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 313 grams (0.69 lb) 483 grams (1.06 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") 121 x 72 x 54mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 2.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 52 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 20.9 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 499 not tested
Other
Battery life 300 photos 570 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC + Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $399 $2,198