Olympus
PEN E-P1
 vs
Sony Alpha
NEX-3

Updated (June, 2011): Compare the Olympus PEN E-P1 vs Sony NEX C3

Sony Alpha NEX-3

69
"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 size
 Large screen
3.0"
Screen resolution
 High resolution screen
920k dots
Color depth
 Great color depth
22.1 bits
Dynamic range
 Wide dynamic range
12 EV
Olympus PEN E-P1

50
Runner-up

Olympus PEN E-P1

Reasons to buy the Olympus PEN E-P1

Screen size
 Large screen
3.0"
Image stabilization
 Image stabilization
Sensor shift
Badge
 Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses
Interchangeable lenses
 Interchangeable lenses
Many lenses to choose from
Sensor type
 CMOS Sensor
Better in low light
Thickness
 Thin
1.4"

differences

Advantages of the Olympus PEN E-P1
Image stabilization Image stabilization Sensor shift vs None
Help
 Helps eliminate blur caused by small camera movements
Lens availability Significantly more lenses available 26 lenses vs 8 lenses
Help
 Around 3.5x more lenses available
Longest exposure Significantly longer exposures 60s vs 30s
Help
 2x longer exposures
Lowest price Cheaper $279.00 vs $479.00
Help
 The best price we've seen is $200 cheaper (more than 40% less)
Olympus PEN E-P1 Learn more about
the Olympus PEN E-P1

Advantages of the Sony NEX-3
Screen resolution Much higher resolution screen 920k dots vs 230k dots
Help
 4x higher resolution screen
Low light performance Significantly lower noise at high ISO 830 ISO vs 536 ISO
Help
 The NEX-3 has a slight edge (0.6 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Overall image quality Significantly better image quality 68.0 vs 55.0
Help
 More than 20% better image quality
Dynamic range More dynamic range 12 EV vs 10.4 EV
Help
 1.6 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
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
Color depth Better color depth 22.1 bits vs 21.4 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 0.7 more bits of color
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 12,800 ISO vs 3,200 ISO
Help
 The NEX-3's maximum light sensitivity is 2 f-stops better
Sensor size Significantly larger sensor APS-C 23.4x15.6mm vs Four thirds 18.0x13.5mm
Help
 More than 50% 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 3 fps
Help
 Around 2.5x faster continuous shooting
Size Smaller 117x62x33 mm vs 121x70x36 mm
Help
 More than 20% smaller
Weight Lighter 297 g vs 355 g
Help
 Around 20% lighter
Thickness Slightly thinner 1.3" vs 1.4"
Help
 Around 10% thinner
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-P1 Olympus PEN E-P1
50 vs 69
Explain scores
Sony Alpha NEX-3 Sony Alpha NEX-3
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Sony Alpha NEX-3.

performance Which camera has better performance? Cast your vote!

OlympusPEN E-P1
 Olympus PEN E-P1 vs Sony Alpha NEX-3
SonyAlpha NEX-3
Uses Travel score Travel
On holiday or vacation
0
4
Vote Vote
Sports score Sports
Fast action, sometimes indoors
0
4
Vote Vote
Features Color accuracy Color accuracy
White balance in varied lighting
0
4
Vote Vote
Autofocus peformance Still image focusing
Speed and accuracy
1
4
Vote Vote
Autofocus performance Video focusing
Speed and accuracy
0
4
Vote Vote
Manual controls Manual settings
How quickly and easily you can change settings
1
4
Vote Vote
Build quality Build quality
Is it sturdy, well made, plastic or metal
1
4
Vote Vote
Green arrow Join in the discussion below!

similarities

Compared to recent mirrorless cameras

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Lowest price Inexpensive Help
PEN E-P1:$279.00
NEX-3:$479.00
Built-in flash No built-in flash Help
Professional
Light sensitivity (boost) No boost ISO Help
Lacks boost light sensitivity
Touch screen No touchscreens Help
More buttons
Movie format Both shoot high resolution HD movies Help
720p @ 30fps
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
Movie format Records higher quality movies
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Compare the Alpha NEX-5 vs the PEN E-P1
Compare the Alpha NEX-5 vs the Alpha NEX-3
Sony NEX C3

Sony NEX C3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$499 - $550 with 18-55mm lens
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
External mic jack Lacks and external mic jack
Compare the NEX C3 vs the PEN E-P1
Compare the NEX C3 vs the Alpha NEX-3
Olympus PEN E-PL1

Olympus PEN E-PL1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$280 - $299 with 14-42mm lens
Built-in flash Has a built-in flash
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the PEN E-PL1 vs the PEN E-P1
Compare the PEN E-PL1 vs the Alpha NEX-3
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$329 - $379 with 14-42mm lens
Movie format Records higher quality movies
Touch screen Has a touch screen
HDR Lacks a built in HDR feature
Panorama Lacks a built in panoramas
Compare the Lumix DMC-GF2 vs the PEN E-P1
Compare the Lumix DMC-GF2 vs the Alpha NEX-3
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $984 with 18-55mm lens
Movie format Records higher quality movies
Viewfinder Has a viewfinder
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the D3100 vs the PEN E-P1
Compare the D3100 vs the Alpha NEX-3
Sony NEX-5N

Sony NEX-5N

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$599 - $600 body only

$698 - $699 with 18-55mm lens
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Movie format Records higher quality movies
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
External mic jack Lacks and external mic jack
Compare the NEX-5N vs the PEN E-P1
Compare the NEX-5N vs the Alpha NEX-3
Canon Rebel T3

Canon Rebel T3

Entry-level DSLR

$379 body only

$460 - $550 with 18-55mm lens
Viewfinder Has a viewfinder
Lens availability Much more lenses available
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is significantly heavier
Compare the Rebel T3 vs the PEN E-P1
Compare the Rebel T3 vs the Alpha NEX-3

Olympus PEN E-P1 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Olympus PEN E-P2

Olympus PEN E-P2

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$450 with 17mm lens
Overall image quality Slightly better image quality
Color depth Better color depth
Low light performance Slightly more noise at high ISO
Lowest price More expensive
Compare the PEN E-P2 vs the PEN E-P1
Olympus PEN E-P3

Olympus PEN E-P3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$899 - $900 with 17mm lens
Movie format Higher resolution movies
Screen resolution Significantly higher resolution screen
Color depth Worse color depth
Overall image quality Worse image quality
Compare the PEN E-P3 vs the PEN E-P1
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$754 body only

$916 - $964 with 14-42mm lens
Movie format Higher resolution movies
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO
Image stabilization No image stabilization
Color depth Worse color depth
Compare the Lumix DMC-GX1 vs the PEN E-P1

Sony Alpha NEX-3 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon 1 J1

Nikon 1 J1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$597 with 10-30mm lens
High-speed framerate Records high-speed movies
Movie format Higher resolution movies
Low light performance Significantly more noise at high ISO
Screen resolution Significantly lower resolution screen
Compare the 1 J1 vs the Alpha NEX-3

appearance

Olympus PEN E-P1 Sony Alpha NEX-3
Olympus PEN E-P1 Sony Alpha NEX-3
Olympus PEN E-P1 Sony Alpha NEX-3

Find similar cameras

Here are some links to help you find other cameras with similar features to both of these:

discussion Which do you think is better?

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