Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony NEX-3
89 Imaging
48 Features
52 Overall
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89 Imaging
54 Features
55 Overall
54
Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 265g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
- Released November 2011
- New Model is Olympus E-PM2
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 200 - 12800
- 1280 x 720 video
- Sony E Mount
- 297g - 117 x 62 x 33mm
- Launched June 2010
- Successor is Sony NEX-C3

Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony NEX-3 Overview
Its time to look more in depth at the Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony NEX-3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the E-PM1 (12MP) and the NEX-3 (14MP) is pretty close but the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and NEX-3 (APS-C) provide different sensor sizing.

The E-PM1 was released 18 months after the NEX-3 which makes them a generation away from one another. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before we go straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the E-PM1 matches up vs the NEX-3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony NEX-3 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus PEN E-PM1 and Sony Alpha NEX-3. The complete galleries are provided at Olympus E-PM1 Gallery and Sony NEX-3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Sony NEX-3
E-PM1 | NEX-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | November 2011 | ![]() | June 2010 | More modern by 18 months |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Olympus E-PM1
NEX-3 | E-PM1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper screen (+460k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Sony NEX-3
E-PM1 | NEX-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial precise focusing | ||
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal screen measurement |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Missing Touch screen |
Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera regularly, you're going to have to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PM1 has physical dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) and the Sony NEX-3 has measurements of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).
Check out the Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony NEX-3 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you use during that time. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the E-PM1 vs the NEX-3.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PM1 and NEX-3 is 89 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it can be tough to imagine the gap in sensor sizes simply by looking through technical specs. The picture below will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PM1 and NEX-3.
As you have seen, both the cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The E-PM1 because of its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field more challenging and the Sony NEX-3 will provide you with greater detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The younger E-PM1 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PM1 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Olympus | Sony |
Model | Olympus PEN E-PM1 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 |
Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Released | 2011-11-23 | 2010-06-07 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | TruePic VI | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 4592 x 3056 |
Highest native ISO | 12800 | 12800 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | 35 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
Available lenses | 107 | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display diagonal | 3" | 3" |
Display resolution | 460k dot | 920k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Display technology | HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating | TFT Xtra Fine LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60 secs | 30 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 6.0 frames/s | 7.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 12.00 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | 1/160 secs | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video format | AVCHD, Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
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 | 265 gr (0.58 lbs) | 297 gr (0.65 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") | 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 52 | 68 |
DXO Color Depth score | 21.0 | 22.1 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 10.3 | 12.0 |
DXO Low light score | 499 | 830 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 330 photographs | 330 photographs |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | BLS-5 | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at release | $499 | $0 |