Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony NEX-3

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.