Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony NEX-3
85 Imaging
55 Features
78 Overall
64
89 Imaging
53 Features
55 Overall
53
Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 200 - 6400 (Expand to 25600)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 3840 x 2160 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 380g - 117 x 68 x 39mm
- Announced February 2018
- Earlier Model is Olympus E-PL8
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 12800
- 1280 x 720 video
- Sony E Mount
- 297g - 117 x 62 x 33mm
- Released June 2010
- New Model is Sony NEX-C3
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Here, we are looking at the Olympus E-PL9 and Sony NEX-3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the E-PL9 (16MP) and the NEX-3 (14MP) is very well matched but the E-PL9 (Four Thirds) and NEX-3 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor dimensions.
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firmsThe E-PL9 was released 7 years after the NEX-3 which is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before going straight to a in depth comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the E-PL9 matches up against the NEX-3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony NEX-3 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus PEN E-PL9 & Sony Alpha NEX-3. The complete galleries are provided at Olympus E-PL9 Gallery & Sony NEX-3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL9 over the Sony NEX-3
| E-PL9 | NEX-3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Released | February 2018 | June 2010 | Newer by 94 months | |
| Display resolution | 1040k | 920k | Crisper display (+120k dot) | |
| Touch friendly display | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Olympus E-PL9
| NEX-3 | E-PL9 |
|---|
Common features in the Olympus E-PL9 and Sony NEX-3
| E-PL9 | NEX-3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus manually | More exact focusing | |||
| Display type | Tilting | Tilting | Tilting display | |
| Display size | 3" | 3" | Same display sizing | |
| Selfie screen | Neither offers selfie screen |
Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is looking to travel with your camera often, you'll have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL9 offers exterior dimensions of 117mm x 68mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") with a weight of 380 grams (0.84 lbs) while the Sony NEX-3 has proportions of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).
Contrast the Olympus E-PL9 and Sony NEX-3 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. Here is a front view scale comparison of the E-PL9 versus the NEX-3.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL9 and NEX-3 is 85 and 89 respectively.
Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it can be hard to visualise the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by checking specs. The picture here will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL9 and NEX-3.
All in all, both of those cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The E-PL9 featuring a tinier sensor will make shooting bokeh harder and the Olympus E-PL9 will give you greater detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics way more aggressively. The more modern E-PL9 will have a benefit in sensor innovation.
Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications
| Olympus PEN E-PL9 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand Name | Olympus | Sony |
| Model type | Olympus PEN E-PL9 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 |
| Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
| Announced | 2018-02-08 | 2010-06-07 |
| Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor | TruePic VIII | Bionz |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
| Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
| Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 365.0mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Max resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4592 x 3056 |
| Max native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
| Max enhanced ISO | 25600 | - |
| Lowest native ISO | 200 | 200 |
| RAW files | ||
| Lowest enhanced ISO | 100 | - |
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focusing | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Continuous autofocus | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Autofocus multi area | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detection focus | ||
| Contract detection focus | ||
| Phase detection focus | ||
| Total focus points | 121 | 25 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount type | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
| Available lenses | 107 | 121 |
| Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of screen | Tilting | Tilting |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
| Resolution of screen | 1,040k dots | 920k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch function | ||
| Screen tech | - | TFT Xtra Fine LCD |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | None |
| Features | ||
| Min shutter speed | 60s | 30s |
| Max shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
| Max silent shutter speed | 1/16000s | - |
| Continuous shutter rate | 8.6fps | 7.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Change white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash distance | 7.60 m (at ISO 200) | 12.00 m |
| Flash settings | Auto, manual, redeye reduction, slow sync w/redeye reduction, slow sync , slow sync 2nd-curtain, fill-in, off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
| Hot shoe | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Max flash synchronize | - | 1/160s |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment exposure | ||
| Average exposure | ||
| Spot exposure | ||
| Partial exposure | ||
| AF area exposure | ||
| Center weighted exposure | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported video resolutions | 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Max video resolution | 3840x2160 | 1280x720 |
| Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4 |
| Microphone port | ||
| Headphone port | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | Built-In | Eye-Fi Connected |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental sealing | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 380 grams (0.84 lbs) | 297 grams (0.65 lbs) |
| Physical dimensions | 117 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") | 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall rating | not tested | 68 |
| DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 22.1 |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 12.0 |
| DXO Low light rating | not tested | 830 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 350 pictures | 330 pictures |
| Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | - | NPFW50 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I supported) | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Card slots | One | One |
| Pricing at release | $599 | $0 |