Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony A3000
89 Imaging
48 Features
52 Overall
49
![Olympus PEN E-PM1 front Olympus PEN E-PM1 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/w300/fronton/Olympus_PEN_E-PM1_0.jpg)
![Sony Alpha A3000 front Sony Alpha A3000 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Sony-Alpha-A3000/Sony-A3000-front.jpg)
69 Imaging
62 Features
54 Overall
58
Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony A3000 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 265g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
- Revealed November 2011
- Refreshed by Olympus E-PM2
(Full Review)
- 20MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 16000
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 411g - 128 x 91 x 85mm
- Announced August 2013
- Refreshed by Sony a3500
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony A3000 Overview
Let's look much closer at the Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony A3000, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by competitors Olympus and Sony. There is a huge difference between the image resolutions of the E-PM1 (12MP) and A3000 (20MP) and the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and A3000 (APS-C) have different sensor measurements.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
The E-PM1 was announced 21 months prior to the A3000 which makes them a generation apart from each other. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A3000 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.
Before delving right into a in depth comparison, here is a simple overview of how the E-PM1 scores vs the A3000 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony A3000 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus PEN E-PM1 and Sony Alpha A3000. The whole galleries are available at Olympus E-PM1 Gallery and Sony A3000 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Sony A3000
E-PM1 | A3000 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony A3000 over the Olympus E-PM1
A3000 | E-PM1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | August 2013 | ![]() | November 2011 | Fresher by 21 months |
Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Sony A3000
E-PM1 | A3000 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More exact focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal screen measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither provides selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Absent Touch screen |
Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony A3000 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is intending to carry your camera, you will need to think about its weight and size. The Olympus E-PM1 provides physical dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) and the Sony A3000 has specifications of 128mm x 91mm x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") and a weight of 411 grams (0.91 lbs).
Examine the Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony A3000 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are employing at the time. Here is a front view size comparison of the E-PM1 vs the A3000.
![Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony A3000 size comparison Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony A3000 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-PEN-E-PM1-vs-Sony-Alpha-A3000-size-comparison.jpg)
Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PM1 and A3000 is 89 and 69 respectively.
![Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony A3000 top view buttons comparison Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony A3000 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-PEN-E-PM1-vs-Sony-Alpha-A3000-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony A3000 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it is very hard to picture the difference between sensor sizing just by reading technical specs. The graphic below should give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PM1 and A3000.
As you can tell, both of these cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-PM1 having a tinier sensor is going to make getting bokeh harder and the Sony A3000 will offer you extra detail with its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots more aggressively. The older E-PM1 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.
![Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony A3000 sensor size comparison Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony A3000 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Olympus-PEN-E-PM1-vs-Sony-Alpha-A3000-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony A3000 Screen and ViewFinder
![Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony A3000 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony A3000 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-PEN-E-PM1-vs-Sony-Alpha-A3000-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony A3000 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PM1 | Sony Alpha A3000 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Sony |
Model type | Olympus PEN E-PM1 | Sony Alpha A3000 |
Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2011-11-23 | 2013-08-27 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | TruePic VI | BIONZ image |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 20MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 5456 x 3632 |
Highest native ISO | 12800 | 16000 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 35 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
Amount of lenses | 107 | 121 |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 460 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Screen tech | HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | Electronic |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.47x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 60 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 6.0 frames per second | 3.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | 6.00 m (at ISO200 / 4m at ISO100) |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync. |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/160 seconds | 1/160 seconds |
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) | 1920 x 1080 |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | AVCHD, Motion JPEG | AVCHD, H.264, MP4 |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | 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 | 265g (0.58 lb) | 411g (0.91 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") | 128 x 91 x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 52 | 78 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 21.0 | 23.7 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.3 | 12.8 |
DXO Low light rating | 499 | 1068 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 330 shots | 470 shots |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | BLS-5 | NP-FW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2-sec. or 10-sec. delay) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | - |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Cost at launch | $499 | $398 |