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Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony NEX-3N

Portability
85
Imaging
55
Features
78
Overall
64
Olympus PEN E-PL9 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3N front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
52
Overall
55

Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony NEX-3N Key Specs

Olympus E-PL9
(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
  • Released February 2018
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-PL8
Sony NEX-3N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 62 x 35mm
  • Launched February 2013
  • Older Model is Sony NEX-F3
  • Renewed by Sony a5000
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony NEX-3N Overview

Let's look more closely at the Olympus E-PL9 and Sony NEX-3N, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by rivals Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the E-PL9 (16MP) and the NEX-3N (16MP) is pretty close but the E-PL9 (Four Thirds) and NEX-3N (APS-C) enjoy different sensor sizing.

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The E-PL9 was unveiled 5 years later than the NEX-3N and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go through a more detailed comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the E-PL9 matches up versus the NEX-3N in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL9 over the Sony NEX-3N

 E-PL9 NEX-3N 
LaunchedFebruary 2018February 2013Fresher by 61 months
Screen resolution1040k460kCrisper screen (+580k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3N over the Olympus E-PL9

 NEX-3N E-PL9 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL9 and Sony NEX-3N

 E-PL9 NEX-3N 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony NEX-3N Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry your camera frequently, you will want to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PL9 offers exterior dimensions of 117mm x 68mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") along with a weight of 380 grams (0.84 lbs) while the Sony NEX-3N has sizing of 110mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4") along with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-PL9 and Sony NEX-3N in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have attached at that time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the E-PL9 against the NEX-3N.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony NEX-3N size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL9 and NEX-3N is 85 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony NEX-3N top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony NEX-3N Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's hard to visualize the gap in sensor sizing simply by looking through specifications. The photograph underneath will offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL9 and NEX-3N.

Plainly, both of these cameras offer the same exact megapixels albeit different sensor sizing. The E-PL9 has the smaller sensor which will make achieving shallow DOF more difficult. The newer E-PL9 should have a benefit in sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony NEX-3N sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony NEX-3N Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony NEX-3N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Portrait photography details
Sony NEX-3N Portrait photography details
73
manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
66
manual focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
can't use external flash
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-3N as a Street photography camera
84
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
boasts touch focus
77
has a tilting screen
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PL9
Sports photography with Sony NEX-3N
69
quiet shooting (1/16,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
doesn't have phase detect AF
53
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
good battery life (480 CIPA)
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Travel photography details
Sony NEX-3N Travel photography details
77
has bluetooth
boasts touch focus
resolution is good (16MP)
has built in flash
display is not selfie friendly
71
good battery life (480 per charge)
MP count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
no Timelapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony NEX-3N as a Landscape photography camera
80
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
70
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
good battery life (480 per charge)
lack of image stabilization
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Vlogging details
Sony NEX-3N Vlogging details
35
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focusing
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
display is not selfie friendly
missing external mic support
28
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
no microphone support
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony NEX-3N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL9 and Sony NEX-3N
 Olympus PEN E-PL9Sony Alpha NEX-3N
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL9 Sony Alpha NEX-3N
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2018-02-08 2013-02-25
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 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 16000
Max enhanced ISO 25600 -
Min native ISO 200 200
RAW data
Min enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 121 25
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Available lenses 107 121
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 1,040k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shutter rate 8.6 frames per second 4.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 7.60 m (at ISO 200) -
Flash options Auto, manual, redeye reduction, slow sync w/redeye reduction, slow sync , slow sync 2nd-curtain, fill-in, off -
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 380g (0.84 pounds) 269g (0.59 pounds)
Dimensions 117 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") 110 x 62 x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 74
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.5
DXO Low light rating not tested 1067
Other
Battery life 350 shots 480 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) -
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I supported) SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $599 $399