Olympus E-PL3 vs Sony ZV-E1
88 Imaging
48 Features
52 Overall
49


80 Imaging
66 Features
89 Overall
75
Olympus E-PL3 vs Sony ZV-E1 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
- Older Model is Olympus E-PL2
(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

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.

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.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Sony ZV-E1 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus PEN E-PL3 & Sony ZV-E1. The complete galleries are available at Olympus E-PL3 Gallery & Sony ZV-E1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Sony ZV-E1
E-PL3 | ZV-E1 |
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Reasons to pick Sony ZV-E1 over the Olympus E-PL3
ZV-E1 | E-PL3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | March 2023 | ![]() | September 2011 | Newer by 140 months |
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Tilting | Fully Articulating screen |
Screen resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper 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 dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Sony ZV-E1 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PL3 | Sony 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 |