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Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony FX3

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Sony FX3 front
Portability
62
Imaging
65
Features
92
Overall
75

Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony FX3 Key Specs

Olympus E-PM1
(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
  • Launched November 2011
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-PM2
Sony FX3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.00" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 102400 (Raise to 409600)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 716g - 130 x 78 x 85mm
  • Announced February 2021
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony FX3 Overview

Here, we will be matching up the Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony FX3, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the E-PM1 (12MP) and the FX3 (12MP) is pretty close but the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and FX3 (Full frame) boast totally different sensor size.

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The E-PM1 was manufactured 10 years earlier than the FX3 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go into a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the E-PM1 scores versus the FX3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Sony FX3

 E-PM1 FX3 

Reasons to pick Sony FX3 over the Olympus E-PM1

 FX3 E-PM1 
AnnouncedFebruary 2021November 2011Newer by 112 months
Screen typeFully articulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1440k460kClearer screen (+980k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Sony FX3

 E-PM1 FX3 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Screen size3"3.00"Same screen size

Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony FX3 Physical Comparison

If you're going to travel with your camera regularly, you'll need to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PM1 features external measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) while the Sony FX3 has measurements of 130mm x 78mm x 85mm (5.1" x 3.1" x 3.3") along with a weight of 716 grams (1.58 lbs).

See the Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony FX3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have attached during that time. Following is a front view scale comparison of the E-PM1 vs the FX3.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony FX3 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PM1 and FX3 is 89 and 62 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony FX3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony FX3 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be hard to envision the gap in sensor dimensions purely by researching a spec sheet. The image here might give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PM1 and FX3.

As you can see, the 2 cameras come with the identical MP albeit not the same sensor dimensions. The E-PM1 features the smaller sensor which should make achieving shallower depth of field trickier. The more aged E-PM1 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony FX3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony FX3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony FX3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Portrait photography information
Sony FX3 Portrait photography information
60
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
71
has manual focus
sensor size is large (Full frame)
offers face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Street photography factors
Sony FX3 Street photography factors
75
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
screen does not articulate
76
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
includes touch to focus
weather sealing
great ISO range (102,400)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Sports photography info
Sony FX3 Sports photography info
49
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12MP)
lacks phase detect autofocus
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
weather sealing
great battery life (600 per charge)
has phase detect autofocus
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony FX3 as a Travel photography camera
45
lack of Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
71
great battery life (600 shots)
weather sealing
supports bluetooth
includes touch to focus
selfie friendly screen
low megapixels (12MP)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Landscape photography features
Sony FX3 Landscape photography features
65
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse function
77
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3.00")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
great ISO range (102,400)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
great battery life (600 per charge)
2 card slots
low megapixels (12MP)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Vlogging info
Sony FX3 Vlogging info
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of mic jack
77
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection autofocus
high video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
has external mic support
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony FX3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Sony FX3
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Sony FX3
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model Olympus PEN E-PM1 Sony FX3
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Launched 2011-11-23 2021-02-23
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VI -
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 4240 x 2832
Max native ISO 12800 102400
Max enhanced ISO - 409600
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Minimum enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 35 759
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Number of lenses 107 187
Crop factor 2.1 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully articulated
Display sizing 3" 3.00"
Display resolution 460k dots 1,440k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) no built-in flash
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 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) 3840 x 2160 @ 120p / 280 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 100p / 280 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 140 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 140 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, XAVC S, XAVC HS, XAVC S-1, H.264, H.265
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 265g (0.58 lbs) 716g (1.58 lbs)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 130 x 78 x 85mm (5.1" x 3.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 52 85
DXO Color Depth score 21.0 24.2
DXO Dynamic range score 10.3 13.4
DXO Low light score 499 3900
Other
Battery life 330 images 600 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots
Card slots 1 Two
Price at release $499 $3,900