Olympus PEN
E-PM1
 vs
Sony NEX
C3

Sony NEX C3

76
Winner

Sony NEX C3

Reasons to buy the Sony NEX C3

Low light performance
 Low noise at high ISO
1,083 ISO
Overall image quality
 Great image quality
73.0
Screen resolution
 High resolution screen
921k dots
Color depth
 Great color depth
22.7 bits
Dynamic range
 Wide dynamic range
12.2 EV
True resolution
 High true resolution
16 MP
Olympus PEN E-PM1

57
Runner-up

Olympus PEN E-PM1

Reasons to buy the Olympus PEN E-PM1

Movie format
 Full HD
1080p @ 60fps
Image stabilization
 Image stabilization
Sensor shift
Panorama
 In-camera panoramas
Stitches together multiple photos into a panorama
3D
 Takes 3D photos
View photos in 3D on 3D televisions
Badge
 Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses
Interchangeable lenses
 Interchangeable lenses
Many lenses to choose from

differences

Advantages of the Olympus E-PM1
Movie format Higher resolution movies 1080p @ 60fps vs 720p @ 30fps
Help
 Shoots higher resolution Full HD (1080p) video at a higher frame rate
Image stabilization Image stabilization Sensor shift vs None
Help
 Helps eliminate blur caused by small camera movements
Lens availability More lenses available 26 lenses vs 8 lenses
Help
 Around 3.5x more lenses available
Focus points Slightly more focus points 35 vs 25
Help
 Set focus accurately within the frame
Longest exposure Significantly longer exposures 60s vs 30s
Help
 2x longer exposures
Lowest price Slightly cheaper $499.99 vs $548.00
Help
 The best price we've seen is $48 cheaper (around 10% less)
Olympus PEN E-PM1 Learn more about
the Olympus E-PM1

Advantages of the Sony C3
Low light performance Much lower noise at high ISO 1,083 ISO vs 499 ISO
Help
 The C3 has excellent image quality 1.1 f-stops higher ISO than the E-PM1
Overall image quality Significantly better image quality 73.0 vs 52.0
Help
 More than 40% better image quality
Screen resolution Significantly higher resolution screen 921k dots vs 460k dots
Help
 More than 2x higher resolution screen
Dynamic range More dynamic range 12.2 EV vs 10.3 EV
Help
 1.9 f-stops more dynamic range
Color depth Better color depth 22.7 bits vs 21 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 1.7 more bits of color
Screen flips out Has a flip-out screen Yes vs No
Help
 Flip-out screens can be helpful when composing tricky shots or taking movies
HDR Has in-camera HDR Yes vs No
Help
 Combines multiple exposures to capture high dynamic range
True resolution Higher true resolution 16 MP vs 12.2 MP
Help
 Capture more than 30% more detail in your photos
Sensor size Larger sensor APS-C 23.4x15.6mm vs Four thirds 17.3x13.0mm
Help
 More than 60% larger sensor
Battery life Longer battery life 400 shots vs 330 shots
Help
 More than 20% more shots per battery charge
Size Slightly smaller 110x60x33 mm vs 110x64x34 mm
Help
 Around 10% smaller
Weight Lighter 225 g vs 263 g
Help
 More than 10% lighter
Thickness Slightly thinner 1.3" vs 1.3"
Help
 Almost the same
Sony NEX C3 Learn more about
the Sony C3
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent mirrorless cameras, and ignoring price

Olympus PEN E-PM1 Olympus PEN E-PM1
57 vs 76
Explain scores
Sony NEX C3 Sony NEX C3
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Sony NEX C3.

advice

Need help deciding?

Ask the community!
I am considering either the Olympus E-PM1 or the Sony C3,
For example: Taking photos in low light or great family photos or ability to take great photos underwater

Select aspects that are most important to you: (max 3)

Popular tags:

Are you a camera expert? Share your knowledge!
2
votes
by Brad-Jones this month
Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic DMC-G3

I am an expert beginner! I have been interested in photography all my life, with a parent who wo...

8 people recommend the Panasonic DMC-G3:

" Lumix its the best from those choice and U can get cheaper G1 or G2 "

" personally I have not been happy with the olympus's I have used.  I would check amazon or bhphot..."
One person recommends the Olympus E-PM1:

" GF1 or GX1 , because it is the best ;) I have one, beside of my 5D mkII."
0
votes
by Amy-Elser this month
Sony C3 vs Sony NEX-3

I am essentially a beginner.  I'd like to  try to video my kids events and pull pictures from th...
1
votes
by Rajesh-Venkataraman last month
Panasonic DMC-GF3 vs Sony C3

I am a point and shoot photographer. I would like to upgrade to a bit more professional camera b...

One person recommends the Sony C3:

" Although the Sony NEX C3 doesn't have a built in flash it would still be my top choice. The N..."
0
votes
by Aaron-McGee this month
Canon S100 vs Olympus E-PM1

Quality and a long lasting product are important. Ease of use of controls and functions, too. I ...
3
votes
by Nicole-Chan last week
Nikon J1 vs Olympus E-PM1

I am a beginner. My husband has a Nikon D7000 but I find it too bulky. Although the picture qual...

6 people recommend the Olympus E-PM1:

"The Nikon 1 J1 has and optional lens adapter that would make you use your husband's lenses since h..."

" The J1 has too small of a sensor for high quality photos in anything but bright daylight. Nikon ..."

" 4/3 lenses are more common. Most optically perfect m39 screw mount lenses can be used perfectly ..."

similarities

Compared to recent mirrorless cameras

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Panorama In-camera panoramas Help
Stitches together multiple photos into a panorama
3D 3D photos Help
View photos in 3D on 3D televisions
Movie continuous focus Focus continuously recording movies Help
Makes it easy to get in-focus movies
Light sensitivity Very good maximum light sensitivity Help
12,800 ISO
Size Fairly small Help
E-PM1:110x64x34 mm
C3:110x60x33 mm
Weight Light weight Help
E-PM1:263 g
C3:225 g
Thickness Thin Help
1.3"
Lowest price Inexpensive Help
E-PM1:$499.99
C3:$548.00
Built-in flash No built-in flash Help
Professional
Touch screen No touchscreens Help
More buttons
External mic jack Neither has an external mic jack Help
Limited to the in-camera mic
Supports 24p No support for 24p Help
Missing that film look
Viewfinder No viewfinders Help
Can only preview photos on the screen

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Sony NEX-5N

Sony NEX-5N

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$598 - $600 body only

$698 - $700 with 18-55mm lens
Light sensitivity Significantly higher maximum light sensitivity
Touch screen Has a touch screen
Thickness Is thicker
Startup delay Has much more startup delay
Compare the NEX-5N vs the PEN E-PM1
Compare the NEX-5N vs the NEX C3
Sony Alpha NEX-5

Sony Alpha NEX-5

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$569 with 18-55mm lens
Startup delay Has slightly less startup delay
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the Alpha NEX-5 vs the PEN E-PM1
Compare the Alpha NEX-5 vs the NEX C3
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$433 body only
Touch screen Has a touch screen
Shutter lag Has slightly less shutter lag
External flash Doesn't support an external flash
Panorama Lacks a built in panoramas
Compare the Lumix DMC-GF3 vs the PEN E-PM1
Compare the Lumix DMC-GF3 vs the NEX C3
Nikon 1 J1

Nikon 1 J1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$547 with 10-30mm lens
High-speed framerate Records high-speed movies
Continuous shooting Shoots faster continuously
External flash Doesn't support an external flash
Sensor size Has a marginally smaller sensor
Compare the 1 J1 vs the PEN E-PM1
Compare the 1 J1 vs the NEX C3
Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3

Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$589 - $600 with 14-42mm lens
Weight Is slightly heavier
Panorama Lacks a built in panoramas
Compare the PEN Lite E-PL3 vs the PEN E-PM1
Compare the PEN Lite E-PL3 vs the NEX C3
Sony Alpha NEX-3

Sony Alpha NEX-3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$689 with 18-55mm lens
Startup delay Has slightly less startup delay
External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the Alpha NEX-3 vs the PEN E-PM1
Compare the Alpha NEX-3 vs the NEX C3
Canon Powershot S100

Canon Powershot S100

Pro digicam

$356 - $430
High-speed framerate Records high-speed movies
Image stabilization Has better image stabilization
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Longest exposure Slightly shorter exposures
Compare the Powershot S100 vs the PEN E-PM1
Compare the Powershot S100 vs the NEX C3

Olympus PEN E-PM1 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Olympus PEN E-PL1

Olympus PEN E-PL1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$260 - $279 with 14-42mm lens
External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Color depth Better color depth
Screen size Much smaller screen
Movie format Lower resolution movies
Compare the PEN E-PL1 vs the PEN E-PM1
Olympus PEN E-PL2

Olympus PEN E-PL2

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$485 with 14-42mm lens
Low light performance Slightly lower noise at high ISO
Color depth Better color depth
Movie format Lower resolution movies
Panorama Lacks in-camera panoramic stitching
Compare the PEN E-PL2 vs the PEN E-PM1

Sony NEX C3 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Sony NEX-F3

Sony NEX-F3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$600 with 18-55mm lens
Movie format Higher resolution movies
Supports 24p Supports 24p
Movie continuous focus Doesn't focus continuously recording movies
Size Larger
Compare the NEX-F3 vs the NEX C3

appearance

Olympus PEN E-PM1 Sony NEX C3
Olympus PEN E-PM1 Sony NEX C3
Olympus PEN E-PM1 Sony NEX C3

discussion

Showing 0 comments