Olympus E-PL7 vs Samsung NX3000
86 Imaging
53 Features
81 Overall
64


89 Imaging
63 Features
62 Overall
62
Olympus E-PL7 vs Samsung NX3000 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 25600
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 357g - 115 x 67 x 38mm
- Revealed September 2014
- Replaced the Olympus E-PL6
- Renewed by Olympus E-PL8
(Full Review)
- 20MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Samsung NX Mount
- 230g - 117 x 66 x 39mm
- Launched May 2014
- Succeeded the Samsung NX2000

Olympus E-PL7 vs Samsung NX3000 Overview
In this article, we will be contrasting the Olympus E-PL7 versus Samsung NX3000, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by brands Olympus and Samsung. The image resolution of the E-PL7 (16MP) and the NX3000 (20MP) is pretty comparable but the E-PL7 (Four Thirds) and NX3000 (APS-C) use totally different sensor measurements.

The E-PL7 was announced 4 months after the NX3000 and they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before diving through a complete comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the E-PL7 matches up vs the NX3000 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Olympus E-PL7 vs Samsung NX3000 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus PEN E-PL7 and Samsung NX3000. The whole galleries are viewable at Olympus E-PL7 Gallery and Samsung NX3000 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL7 over the Samsung NX3000
E-PL7 | NX3000 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 461k | Sharper screen (+576k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Samsung NX3000 over the Olympus E-PL7
NX3000 | E-PL7 |
---|
Common features in the Olympus E-PL7 and Samsung NX3000
E-PL7 | NX3000 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | September 2014 | ![]() | May 2014 | Same generation |
Focus manually | ![]() | More accurate focus | ||
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Tilting | Tilting screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen measurements |
Olympus E-PL7 vs Samsung NX3000 Physical Comparison
If you are going to travel with your camera often, you will need to think about its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL7 comes with physical measurements of 115mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") with a weight of 357 grams (0.79 lbs) whilst the Samsung NX3000 has specifications of 117mm x 66mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 1.5") and a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs).
Look at the Olympus E-PL7 versus Samsung NX3000 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the E-PL7 and the NX3000.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL7 and NX3000 is 86 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-PL7 vs Samsung NX3000 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it can be difficult to see the gap in sensor dimensions just by seeing specifications. The picture underneath should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL7 and NX3000.
To sum up, both of the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The E-PL7 using its smaller sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field more challenging and the Samsung NX3000 will show greater detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures far more aggressively.

Olympus E-PL7 vs Samsung NX3000 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL7 vs Samsung NX3000 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PL7 | Samsung NX3000 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Samsung |
Model | Olympus PEN E-PL7 | Samsung NX3000 |
Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2014-09-01 | 2014-05-26 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | TruePic VII | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.5 x 15.7mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 369.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 20 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 5472 x 3648 |
Highest native ISO | 25600 | 25600 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | 81 | 35 |
Cross focus points | - | 1 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Micro Four Thirds | Samsung NX |
Available lenses | 107 | 32 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Tilting | Tilting |
Display sizing | 3" | 3" |
Display resolution | 1,037k dot | 461k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic (optional) | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60 secs | 30 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 8.0 frames/s | 5.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | no built-in flash |
Flash settings | no built-in flash | no built-in flash |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720, 640 x 480, 320 x 240 |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | H.264, Motion JPEG | H.264 |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | Built-In |
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 | 357 grams (0.79 lb) | 230 grams (0.51 lb) |
Dimensions | 115 x 67 x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") | 117 x 66 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 72 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | 22.7 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | 12.4 | not tested |
DXO Low light score | 873 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 350 photographs | 370 photographs |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | BLS-50 | B740 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) | Yes (2-30 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC card | microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Price at release | $499 | $897 |