Updated (June, 2011): Compare the Olympus PEN E-PM1 vs Sony NEX C3

Sony Alpha NEX-3

67

"Most impressive is that it focuses fast enough to track a subject running full speed at the camera"
imaging-resource.com | talking about the NEX-3's video-quality
"The Sony NEX-3 and NEX-5 are unique cameras that will be remembered for their design as well as their excellent image quality/"
imaging-resource.com | talking about the NEX-3's image-quality

Reasons to buy the Sony Alpha NEX-3

Low light performance
Low noise at high ISO
830 ISO
Overall image quality
Great image quality
68.0
Screen resolution
High resolution screen
920k dots
Color depth
Great color depth
22.1 bits
Dynamic range
Wide dynamic range
12 EV
Light sensitivity
High ISO
12,800 ISO
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
Light sensitivity
High ISO
12,800 ISO
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

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 Cheaper $499.99 vs $689.00
Help
The best price we've seen is $189 cheaper (around 30% less)
Weight Lighter 263 g vs 297 g
Help
More than 10% lighter
Olympus PEN E-PM1 Learn more about
the Olympus E-PM1

Advantages of the Sony NEX-3

Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO 830 ISO vs 499 ISO
Help
The NEX-3 has a slight edge (0.7 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Overall image quality Significantly better image quality 68.0 vs 52.0
Help
More than 30% better image quality
Screen resolution Significantly higher resolution screen 920k dots vs 460k dots
Help
2x higher resolution screen
Dynamic range More dynamic range 12 EV vs 10.3 EV
Help
1.7 f-stops more dynamic range
Storage slots Has more storage slots 2 vs 1
Help
More slots allows storing more images without switching memory cards
External mic jack Has an external mic jack Yes vs No
Help
Record high quality audio with an external microphone
Color depth Better color depth 22.1 bits vs 21 bits
Help
Distinguishes 1.1 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
Sensor size Larger sensor APS-C 23.4x15.6mm vs Four thirds 17.3x13.0mm
Help
More than 60% larger sensor
True resolution Higher true resolution 14 MP vs 12.2 MP
Help
Capture around 20% more detail in your photos
Continuous shooting Shoots slightly faster 7 fps vs 5.5 fps
Help
Around 30% faster continuous shooting
Thickness Slightly thinner 1.3" vs 1.3"
Help
Almost the same
Sony Alpha NEX-3 Learn more about
the Sony NEX-3
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent mirrorless cameras, and ignoring price

Olympus PEN E-PM1 Olympus PEN E-PM1
57 vs 67
Explain scores
Sony Alpha NEX-3 Sony Alpha NEX-3
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Sony Alpha NEX-3.

advice

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2
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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."

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
NEX-3:117x62x33 mm
Thickness Thin Help
1.3"
Built-in flash No built-in flash Help
Professional
Touch screen No touchscreens Help
More buttons
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 Alpha NEX-5

Sony Alpha NEX-5

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$569 with 18-55mm lens

Thickness Is thicker
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
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
Sony NEX C3

Sony NEX C3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$548 with 16mm lens

Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Startup delay Has slightly more startup delay
Olympus PEN E-PL1

Olympus PEN E-PL1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$260 - $279 with 14-42mm lens

Lowest price Is slightly less expensive
Built-in flash Has a built-in flash
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Sony NEX-5N

Sony NEX-5N

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$598 - $600 body only

$698 - $700 with 18-55mm lens

Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Thickness Is thicker
Startup delay Has much more startup delay
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

Olympus PEN E-PM1 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3

Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$589 - $600 with 14-42mm lens

Screen flips out Has a flip-out screen
Panorama Lacks in-camera panoramic stitching
3D Doesn't take 3D photos
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

Sony Alpha NEX-3 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Sony Alpha NEX-3.

appearance

Olympus PEN E-PM1 Sony Alpha NEX-3
Olympus PEN E-PM1 Sony Alpha NEX-3
Olympus PEN E-PM1 Sony Alpha NEX-3

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