Olympus E-PL3 vs PEN E-PL1

differences

Advantages of the Olympus E-PL3

Much larger screen

3.0"

2.7"

More than 10% larger screen

Higher resolution movies

1080p @ 30fps

720p @ 30fps

Shoots higher resolution Full HD (1080p) video

Has a flip-out screen

Yes

Flip-out screens can be helpful when composing tricky shots or taking movies

Continuous video focus

Yes

Record movies without worrying about focus

Higher resolution screen

460k dots

230k dots

2x higher resolution screen

More focus points

Set focus accurately within the frame

Has boost ISO

12,800 ISO

None

Allows taking photos in darker situations, often at the cost of additional noise in the image

Longer battery life

330 shots

290 shots

More than 10% more shots per battery charge

Smaller

109x63x37 mm

115x72x42 mm

Around 30% smaller

Much faster max shutter speed

1/4000s

1/2000s

2x faster max shutter speed

Shoots slightly faster

5.5 fps

3 fps

More than 80% faster continuous shooting

More dynamic range

10.3 EV

10.1 EV

0.2 f-stops more dynamic range

Thinner

1.5"

1.7"

More than 10% thinner

Slightly lighter

313 g

334 g

Around 10% lighter

Learn more about
the Olympus E-PL3

Advantages of the Olympus PEN E-PL1

Has an external mic jack

Yes

Record high quality audio with an external microphone

Better color depth

21.5 bits

20.9 bits

Distinguishes 0.6 more bits of color

Slightly better image quality

54.0

52.0

Almost the same

Better maximum light sensitivity

3,200 ISO

1,600 ISO

The PEN E-PL1's maximum light sensitivity is 1 f-stop better

Built-in flash

Yes

A built-in flash is useful for taking indoor shots where there is little light

Cheaper

$259.99

$589.00

The best price we've seen is $329 cheaper (2.3x less)

Slightly larger sensor

Four thirds 18.0x13.5mm

Four thirds 17.3x13.0mm

Around 10% larger sensor

Learn more about
the Olympus PEN E-PL1

recommendations

Relative to the best recent mirrorless cameras, and ignoring price

Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3

57	vs	44
Explain scores

Olympus PEN E-PL1

Snapsort recommends the Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3.

advice

Need help deciding?

Ask the community!

I am considering either the E-PL3 or the PEN E-PL1,

For example: Taking photos in low light or great family photos or ability to take great photos underwater

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Are you a camera expert? Share your knowledge!

0 votes		by Emily-Bahne last month Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus PEN E-PL1 What is the cheapest and best micro 4/3 for traveling? I'm a beginner. I'm going to be traveling all over the world and I want a camera that is light and... Reply
0 votes		by trixie-bird last week Olympus PEN E-PL1 vs Panasonic DMC-GF2 Best picture quality and I like to have manual controls. Intermediate. Want to take pictures or people and landscapes. Reply

similarities

Compared to recent mirrorless cameras

Common Strengths

Common Weaknesses

	Good image stabilization
	Sensor shift

	Long exposures
	60 seconds

	Neither camera can take 3D photos
	No 3d support

Poor maximum light sensitivity

E-PL3:	1,600 ISO
PEN E-PL1:	3,200 ISO

	Neither camera stitches together panoramas
	You could stitch photos in post

	Capture low resolution images
	12.2 MP

	Neither has in-camera HDR
	You could do HDR manually

	No touchscreens
	More buttons

	No support for 24p
	Missing that film look

Poor dynamic range

E-PL3:	10.3 EV
PEN E-PL1:	10.1 EV

	No viewfinders
	Can only preview photos on the screen

Low resolution screens

E-PL3:	460k dots
PEN E-PL1:	230k dots

Low image quality

E-PL3:	52.0
PEN E-PL1:	54.0

Above average noise at high ISO

E-PL3:	499 ISO
PEN E-PL1:	487 ISO

dxomark

competitors

Olympus PEN E-PL2

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$485 with 14-42mm lens

Slightly higher maximum light sensitivity

Has much less startup delay

Is slightly more expensive

Is thicker

Compare the PEN E-PL2 vs the PEN Lite E-PL3

Compare the PEN E-PL2 vs the PEN E-PL1

Olympus PEN E-PM1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$500 with 14-42mm lens

Significantly higher maximum light sensitivity

Creates panoramas in-camera

Is slightly more expensive

Compare the PEN E-PM1 vs the PEN Lite E-PL3

Compare the PEN E-PM1 vs the PEN E-PL1

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$433 body only

Slightly higher maximum light sensitivity

Has a touch screen

Doesn't support an external flash

Doesn't have image stabilization

Compare the Lumix DMC-GF3 vs the PEN Lite E-PL3

Compare the Lumix DMC-GF3 vs the PEN E-PL1

Olympus PEN E-P3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$849 - $900 with 17mm lens

Has a slightly higher resolution screen

Has a touch screen

Is significantly more expensive

Is slightly heavier

Compare the PEN E-P3 vs the PEN Lite E-PL3

Compare the PEN E-P3 vs the PEN E-PL1

Nikon 1 J1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$547 with 10-30mm lens

Records high-speed movies

Has slightly wider dynamic range

Significantly shorter exposures

Is slightly more expensive

Compare the 1 J1 vs the PEN Lite E-PL3

Compare the 1 J1 vs the PEN E-PL1

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$376 with 14-42mm lens

Slightly higher maximum light sensitivity

Has a touch screen

Doesn't have image stabilization

Compare the Lumix DMC-GF2 vs the PEN Lite E-PL3

Compare the Lumix DMC-GF2 vs the PEN E-PL1

Sony Alpha NEX-5

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$569 with 18-55mm lens

Is slightly less noisy at high ISO

Has significantly better image quality

Significantly shorter exposures

Is slightly more expensive

Compare the Alpha NEX-5 vs the PEN Lite E-PL3

Compare the Alpha NEX-5 vs the PEN E-PL1

Sony NEX-5N

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$598 - $600 body only

$698 - $700 with 18-55mm lens

Much lower noise at high ISO

Much better image quality

No image stabilization

Fewer lenses available

Compare the NEX-5N vs the PEN Lite E-PL3

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Olympus PEN E-PL1.

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Olympus PEN Lite
E-PL3
vs
Olympus
PEN E-PL1

Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3

Reasons to buy the Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3

Olympus PEN E-PL1

Reasons to buy the Olympus PEN E-PL1

recommendations

Relative to the best recent mirrorless cameras, and ignoring price

differences

Advantages of the Olympus E-PL3

Advantages of the Olympus PEN E-PL1

recommendations

Relative to the best recent mirrorless cameras, and ignoring price

advice

Need help deciding?

Are you a camera expert? Share your knowledge!

similarities

Compared to recent mirrorless cameras

dxomark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Olympus PEN E-PL2

Olympus PEN E-PM1

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3

Olympus PEN E-P3

Nikon 1 J1

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Sony Alpha NEX-5

Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Sony NEX-5N

Olympus PEN E-PL1 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

appearance

discussion

Showing 0 comments

Olympus PEN LiteE-PL3 vs OlympusPEN E-PL1

Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3

Reasons to buy the Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3

Olympus PEN E-PL1

Reasons to buy the Olympus PEN E-PL1

recommendations

Relative to the best recent mirrorless cameras, and ignoring price

differences

Advantages of the Olympus E-PL3

Advantages of the Olympus PEN E-PL1

recommendations

Relative to the best recent mirrorless cameras, and ignoring price

advice

Need help deciding?

Are you a camera expert? Share your knowledge!

similarities

Compared to recent mirrorless cameras

dxomark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Olympus PEN E-PL2

Olympus PEN E-PM1

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3

Olympus PEN E-P3

Nikon 1 J1

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Sony Alpha NEX-5

Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Sony NEX-5N

Olympus PEN E-PL1 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

appearance

discussion

Showing 0 comments

Olympus PEN Lite
E-PL3
vs
Olympus
PEN E-PL1