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Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony NEX-C3

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
57
Features
57
Overall
57

Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Key Specs

Olympus E-PM1
(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
  • Released November 2011
  • Successor is Olympus E-PM2
Sony NEX-C3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 225g - 110 x 60 x 33mm
  • Launched August 2011
  • Previous Model is Sony NEX-3
  • Later Model is Sony NEX-F3
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Overview

Below, we will be looking at the Olympus E-PM1 versus Sony NEX-C3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by competitors Olympus and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap between the resolutions of the E-PM1 (12MP) and NEX-C3 (16MP) and the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and NEX-C3 (APS-C) possess different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PM1 was announced 4 months after the NEX-C3 and they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before delving in to a in depth comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the E-PM1 matches up vs the NEX-C3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Sony NEX-C3

 E-PM1 NEX-C3 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Olympus E-PM1

 NEX-C3 E-PM1 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution920k460kClearer screen (+460k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Sony NEX-C3

 E-PM1 NEX-C3 
LaunchedNovember 2011August 2011Similar generation
Manual focus More precise focus
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to travel with your camera regularly, you'll have to consider its weight and size. The Olympus E-PM1 enjoys outer 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 NEX-C3 has specifications of 110mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-PM1 versus Sony NEX-C3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Following is the front view scale comparison of the E-PM1 against the NEX-C3.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony NEX-C3 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PM1 and NEX-C3 is 89 and 91 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony NEX-C3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by reading through a spec sheet. The picture below will give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PM1 and NEX-C3.

As you can see, each of the cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-PM1 having a tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field more difficult and the Sony NEX-C3 will resolve greater detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony NEX-C3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Portrait photography info
Sony NEX-C3 Portrait photography info
60
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focus
delivers RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
74
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-C3 as a Street photography camera
75
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
fixed screen
80
has a tilting screen
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than others (225 grams)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Sports photography details
Sony NEX-C3 Sports photography details
49
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
low MP (12MP)
no phase detect auto focus
53
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
good battery life (400 CIPA)
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
no image stabilization
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Travel photography info
Sony NEX-C3 Travel photography info
45
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
71
good battery life (400 CIPA)
lighter than others (225g)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
does not have Time Lapse recording
does not contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Landscape photography info
Sony NEX-C3 Landscape photography info
65
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
low MP (12MP)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
70
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
good battery life (400 per charge)
no image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PM1
Vlogging with Sony NEX-C3
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone socket
27
lighter than others (225g)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic jack
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Sony NEX-C3
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Sony Alpha NEX-C3
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus PEN E-PM1 Sony Alpha NEX-C3
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2011-11-23 2011-08-22
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip 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 area 224.9mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 12800 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 35 25
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Total lenses 107 121
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings 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
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 265g (0.58 lbs) 225g (0.50 lbs)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 110 x 60 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 52 73
DXO Color Depth rating 21.0 22.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 12.2
DXO Low light rating 499 1083
Other
Battery life 330 pictures 400 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $499 $343