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Olympus E-PM2 vs Sony NEX-3N

Portability
89
Imaging
53
Features
63
Overall
57
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3N front
Portability
89
Imaging
58
Features
52
Overall
55

Olympus E-PM2 vs Sony NEX-3N Key Specs

Olympus E-PM2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Introduced May 2013
  • Old Model is Olympus E-PM1
Sony NEX-3N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 62 x 35mm
  • Launched February 2013
  • Replaced the Sony NEX-F3
  • Refreshed by Sony a5000
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Sony NEX-3N Overview

Below, we are evaluating the Olympus E-PM2 vs Sony NEX-3N, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the E-PM2 (16MP) and the NEX-3N (16MP) is very close but the E-PM2 (Four Thirds) and NEX-3N (APS-C) feature totally different sensor size.

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The E-PM2 was revealed 3 months after the NEX-3N which means that they are of a similar generation. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before delving through a in-depth comparison, below is a brief summation of how the E-PM2 matches up vs the NEX-3N in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Sony NEX-3N

 E-PM2 NEX-3N 
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3N over the Olympus E-PM2

 NEX-3N E-PM2 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Sony NEX-3N

 E-PM2 NEX-3N 
LaunchedMay 2013February 2013Same generation
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Display dimension3"3"Identical display size
Display resolution460k460kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Olympus E-PM2 vs Sony NEX-3N Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera often, you will want to factor its weight and size. The Olympus E-PM2 comes with outer measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") along with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-3N has specifications of 110mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4") along with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

See the Olympus E-PM2 vs Sony NEX-3N in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have chosen during that time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the E-PM2 compared to the NEX-3N.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Sony NEX-3N size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PM2 and NEX-3N is 89 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Sony NEX-3N top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Sony NEX-3N Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very difficult to see the gap in sensor dimensions only by researching a spec sheet. The image underneath may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PM2 and NEX-3N.

As you can see, both of these cameras posses the exact same megapixel count but not the same sensor dimensions. The E-PM2 comes with the smaller sensor which is going to make achieving bokeh tougher.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Sony NEX-3N sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Sony NEX-3N Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM2 vs Sony NEX-3N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PM2
Portrait photography with Sony NEX-3N
71
manual focus
decent MP (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
66
focusing manually
MP count good (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no external flash support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Street photography info
Sony NEX-3N Street photography info
79
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
includes focus by touch
good ISO range (25,600)
screen is fixed
77
has a tilting screen
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Sports photography advice
Sony NEX-3N Sports photography advice
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
54
MP count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery (480 shots)
max fps very slow (4.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Travel photography info
Sony NEX-3N Travel photography info
66
includes focus by touch
decent MP (16MP)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
does not have selfie friendly screen
71
better than average battery (480 shots)
MP count good (16MP)
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Landscape photography factors
Sony NEX-3N Landscape photography factors
74
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
70
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
better than average battery (480 CIPA)
no image stabilization
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Vlogging features
Sony NEX-3N Vlogging features
36
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
doesn't have mic jack
28
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
lack of mic socket
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Sony NEX-3N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM2 and Sony NEX-3N
 Olympus PEN E-PM2Sony Alpha NEX-3N
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model Olympus PEN E-PM2 Sony Alpha NEX-3N
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2013-05-21 2013-02-25
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 25600 16000
Min native ISO 200 200
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 35 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Available lenses 107 121
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 8.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) -
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 269g (0.59 pounds) 269g (0.59 pounds)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 110 x 62 x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 72 74
DXO Color Depth score 22.7 22.8
DXO Dynamic range score 12.2 12.5
DXO Low light score 932 1067
Other
Battery life 360 images 480 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) -
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $448 $399