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Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K-3

The Olympus PEN E-PL3 and the Pentax K-3 are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in June 2011 and October 2013. The E-PL3 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, while the K-3 is a DSLR. The cameras are based on a Four Thirds (E-PL3) and an APS-C (K-3) sensor. The Olympus has a resolution of 12.2 megapixels, whereas the Pentax provides 24.1 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Olympus E-PL3
versus
Pentax K-3
Olympus E-PL3   Pentax K-3
Mirrorless system camera Digital single lens reflex
Micro Four Thirds lenses Pentax K mount lenses
12.2 MP – Four Thirds sensor 24.1 MP – APS-C sensor
1080/60i Video 1080/60i Video
ISO 200-12,800 ISO 100-51,200
Viewfinder optional Optical viewfinder
3.0" LCD – 460k dots 3.2" LCD – 1037k dots
Tilting screen (no touchscreen) Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
5.5 shutter flaps per second 8.3 shutter flaps per second
In-body stabilizationIn-body stabilization
not weather sealedWeathersealed body
300 shots per battery charge560 shots per battery charge
110 x 64 x 37 mm, 313 g 131 x 100 x 77 mm, 800 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Olympus PEN E-PL3 and the Pentax K-3? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Olympus E-PL3 and the Pentax K-3. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The E-PL3 can be obtained in four different colors (black, silver, red, white), while the K-3 is available in two color-versions (black, silver).

Size Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K-3
Compare E-PL3 versus K-3 top
Comparison E-PL3 or K-3 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Pentax K-3 is considerably larger (86 percent) than the Olympus E-PL3. Moreover, the K-3 is substantially heavier (156 percent) than the E-PL3. It is noteworthy in this context that the K-3 is splash and dust-proof, while the E-PL3 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Hence, you might want to study and compare the specifications of available lenses in order to get the full picture of the size and weight of the two camera systems.

Concerning battery life, the E-PL3 gets 300 shots out of its Olympus BLS-5 battery, while the K-3 can take 560 images on a single charge of its Pentax D-LI90 power pack.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Olympus E-PL3 110 mm 64 mm 37 mm 313 g 300 n Jun 2011 599ebay.com
2.
 
Pentax K-3 131 mm 100 mm 77 mm 800 g 560 Y Oct 2013 1,299ebay.com
3.
 
Nikon D7100 136 mm 107 mm 76 mm 765 g 950 Y Feb 2013 1,199ebay.com
4.
 
Olympus E-PL5 111 mm 64 mm 38 mm 325 g 360 n Sep 2012 599ebay.com
5.
 
Olympus E-PM2 110 mm 64 mm 34 mm 269 g 360 n Sep 2012 499ebay.com
6.
 
Olympus E-P3 122 mm 69 mm 34 mm 369 g 330 n Jun 2011 799ebay.com
7.
 
Olympus E-PL2 114 mm 72 mm 42 mm 362 g 280 n Jan 2011 599ebay.com
8.
 
Olympus E-PM1 110 mm 64 mm 34 mm 265 g 330 n Jun 2011 499ebay.com
9.
 
Olympus E-PL1 115 mm 72 mm 42 mm 334 g 290 n Feb 2010 599ebay.com
10.
 
Olympus E-P2 121 mm 70 mm 36 mm 355 g 300 n Nov 2009 799ebay.com
11.
 
Panasonic GF5 108 mm 67 mm 37 mm 267 g 360 n Apr 2012 499ebay.com
12.
 
Panasonic GF3 108 mm 67 mm 32 mm 264 g 300 n Jun 2011 549ebay.com
13.
 
Panasonic GF2 113 mm 68 mm 33 mm 310 g 300 n Nov 2010 549ebay.com
14.
 
Pentax KP 132 mm 101 mm 76 mm 703 g 390 Y Jan 2017 1,099ebay.com
15.
 
Pentax K-3 II 131 mm 100 mm 77 mm 800 g 720 Y Apr 2015 1,099ebay.com
16.
 
Pentax K-5 II 131 mm 97 mm 73 mm 760 g 740 Y Sep 2012 1,099ebay.com
17.
 
Sony A77 143 mm 104 mm 81 mm 732 g 470 Y Aug 2011 1,399ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The E-PL3 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 54 percent) than the K-3, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Olympus E-PL3 features a Four Thirds sensor and the Pentax K-3 an APS-C sensor. The sensor area in the K-3 is 63 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 2.0 and 1.5. The sensor in the E-PL3 has a native 4:3 aspect ratio, while the one in the K-3 offers a 3:2 aspect.

Olympus E-PL3 and Pentax K-3 sensor measures

With 24.1MP, the K-3 offers a higher resolution than the E-PL3 (12.2MP), but the K-3 has smaller individual pixels (pixel pitch of 3.90μm versus 4.29μm for the E-PL3). Yet, the K-3 is a much more recent model (by 2 years and 3 months) than the E-PL3, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the K-3 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Pentax K-3 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the K-3 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 30.1 x 20 inches or 76.4 x 50.8 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 24.1 x 16 inches or 61.1 x 40.6 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 20.1 x 13.3 inches or 50.9 x 33.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Olympus E-PL3 are 20.2 x 15.1 inches or 51.2 x 38.4 cm for good quality, 16.1 x 12.1 inches or 41 x 30.7 cm for very good quality, and 13.4 x 10.1 inches or 34.1 x 25.6 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Olympus PEN E-PL3 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 200 to ISO 12800. The corresponding ISO settings for the Pentax K-3 are ISO 100 to ISO 51200 (no boost).

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

E-PL3 versus K-3 MP

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). Of the two cameras under consideration, the K-3 offers substantially better image quality than the E-PL3 (overall score 28 points higher). The advantage is based on 2.8 bits higher color depth, 3.1 EV in additional dynamic range, and 1.3 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Olympus E-PL3 Four Thirds 12.2 4032 30241080/60i20.910.349952
2.
 
Pentax K-3 APS-C 24.1 6016 40001080/60i23.713.4121680
3.
 
Nikon D7100 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.213.7125683
4.
 
Olympus E-PL5 Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34561080/30p22.812.388972
5.
 
Olympus E-PM2 Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34561080/30p22.712.293272
6.
 
Olympus E-P3 Four Thirds 12.2 4032 30241080/60i20.810.153651
7.
 
Olympus E-PL2 Four Thirds 12.2 4032 3024720/30p21.410.257355
8.
 
Olympus E-PM1 Four Thirds 12.2 4032 30241080/60i21.010.349952
9.
 
Olympus E-PL1 Four Thirds 12.2 4032 3024720/30p21.510.148754
10.
 
Olympus E-P2 Four Thirds 12.2 4032 3024720/30p21.510.450556
11.
 
Panasonic GF5 Four Thirds 12.0 4000 30001080/60i20.510.057350
12.
 
Panasonic GF3 Four Thirds 12.0 4000 30001080/60i20.610.145950
13.
 
Panasonic GF2 Four Thirds 12.0 4000 30001080/60i21.210.350654
14.
 
Pentax KP APS-C 24.1 6016 40001080/60i23.913.2169981
15.
 
Pentax K-3 II APS-C 24.1 6016 40001080/60i23.613.6110680
16.
 
Pentax K-5 II APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/25p23.814.1123582
17.
 
Sony A77 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.013.280178
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, and both provide the same movie specifications (1080/60i).

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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. For example, the K-3 has an optical viewfinder, which can be very useful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the E-PL3 relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. That said, the E-PL3 can be equipped with an optional viewfinder – the VF-2. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Olympus E-PL3 and Pentax K-3 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

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Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Olympus E-PL3optional n3.0 / 460 tilting n 1/4000s 5.5/s n Y
2.
 
Pentax K-3optical Y3.2 / 1037 fixed n 1/8000s 8.3/s Y Y
3.
 
Nikon D7100optical Y3.2 / 1229 fixed n 1/8000s 6.0/s Y n
4.
 
Olympus E-PL5optional n3.0 / 460 tilting Y 1/4000s 8.0/s n Y
5.
 
Olympus E-PM2optional n3.0 / 460 fixed Y 1/4000s 8.0/s n Y
6.
 
Olympus E-P3optional n3.0 / 614 fixed Y 1/4000s 3.0/s Y Y
7.
 
Olympus E-PL2optional n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y Y
8.
 
Olympus E-PM1optional n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 5.5/s n Y
9.
 
Olympus E-PL1optional n2.7 / 230 fixed n 1/2000s 3.0/s Y Y
10.
 
Olympus E-P2optional n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s n Y
11.
 
Panasonic GF5none n3.0 / 920 fixed Y 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
12.
 
Panasonic GF3none n3.0 / 460 fixed Y 1/4000s 3.2/s Y n
13.
 
Panasonic GF2optional n3.0 / 460 fixed Y 1/4000s 2.6/s Y n
14.
 
Pentax KPoptical n3.0 / 921 tilting n 1/6000s 7.0/s Y Y
15.
 
Pentax K-3 IIoptical Y3.2 / 1037 fixed n 1/8000s 8.3/s n Y
16.
 
Pentax K-5 IIoptical Y3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/8000s 7.0/s Y Y
17.
 
Sony A772359 Y3.0 / 921 full-flex n 1/8000s 12.0/s Y Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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One feature that is present on the K-3, but is missing on the E-PL3 is a top-level LCD. While being, of course, smaller than the rear screen, the control panel conveys some of the essential shooting information and can be convenient for quick and easy settings verification.

The E-PL3 has an articulated LCD that can be turned to be front-facing. This characteristic will be appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in snapping selfies. In contrast, the K-3 does not have a selfie-screen.

The Pentax K-3 has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the E-PL3 and the K-3 write their files to SDXC cards. The K-3 features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the E-PL3 only has one slot. The K-3 supports UHS-I cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s), while the E-PL3 cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.

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Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Olympus PEN E-PL3 and Pentax K-3 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Olympus E-PL3Ystereo / ---mini2.0---
2.
 
Pentax K-3Ymono / monoYYmini3.0---
3.
 
Nikon D7100Ystereo / monoYYmini2.0---
4.
 
Olympus E-PL5Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
5.
 
Olympus E-PM2Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
6.
 
Olympus E-P3Ystereo / ---mini2.0---
7.
 
Olympus E-PL2Ystereo / ---mini2.0---
8.
 
Olympus E-PM1Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
9.
 
Olympus E-PL1Ystereo / ---mini2.0---
10.
 
Olympus E-P2Ystereo / ---mini2.0---
11.
 
Panasonic GF5-stereo / mono--mini2.0---
12.
 
Panasonic GF3-stereo / mono--mini2.0---
13.
 
Panasonic GF2Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
14.
 
Pentax KPYstereo / monoY--2.0Y--
15.
 
Pentax K-3 IIYmono / monoYYmini3.0---
16.
 
Pentax K-5 IIYstereo / monoY-mini2.0---
17.
 
Sony A77Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0---
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It is notable that the K-3 has a headphone jack, which makes it possible to attach external headphones and monitor the quality of sound during the recording process. The E-PL3 lacks such a headphone port.

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Pentax K-3 (unlike the E-PL3) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

Both the E-PL3 and the K-3 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The E-PL3 was replaced by the Olympus E-PL5, while the K-3 was followed by the Pentax K-3 II. Further information on the features and operation of the E-PL3 and K-3 can be found, respectively, in the Olympus E-PL3 Manual (free pdf) or the online Pentax K-3 Manual.

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Review summary

So how do things add up? Which of the two cameras – the Olympus E-PL3 or the Pentax K-3 – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

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Arguments in favor of the Olympus PEN E-PL3:

  • Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
  • More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in landscape orientation.
  • More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
  • More compact: Is smaller (110x64mm vs 131x100mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
  • Less heavy: Is lighter (by 487g or 61 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
  • More legacy lens friendly: Can take a broad range of non-native lenses via adapters.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (54 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in June 2011).

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Advantages of the Pentax K-3:

  • More detail: Has more megapixels (24.1 vs 12.2MP), which boosts linear resolution by 43%.
  • Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
  • Better image quality: Scores substantially higher (28 points) in the DXO overall evaluation.
  • Richer colors: Generates noticeably more natural colors (2.8 bits more color depth).
  • More dynamic range: Captures a broader range of light and dark details (3.1 EV of extra DR).
  • Better low-light sensitivity: Can shoot in dim conditions (1.3 stops ISO advantage).
  • Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
  • Better sound control: Has a headphone port that enables audio monitoring while recording.
  • Easier framing: Has an optical viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
  • Easier setting verification: Features a control panel on top to check shooting parameters.
  • Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.2" vs 3.0") for image review and settings control.
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1037k vs 460k dots).
  • Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (8.3 vs 5.5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
  • Longer lasting: Gets more shots (560 versus 300) out of a single battery charge.
  • Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
  • Easier fill-in: Has a small integrated flash to brighten shadows of backlit subjects.
  • Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (3.0 vs 2.0).
  • Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
  • Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.
  • Faster buffer clearing: Has an SD card interface that supports the UHS-I standard.
  • More modern: Reflects 2 years and 3 months of technical progress since the E-PL3 launch.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the K-3 is the clear winner of the contest (23 : 8 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

E-PL3 08:23 K-3

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Olympus E-PL3 and the Pentax K-3 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera and Best DSLR Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the E-PL3 or the K-3. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews

This is where reviews by experts come in. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Olympus E-PL33/5+ +..72/1004.5/54/5 Jun 2011 599ebay.com
2.
 
Pentax K-34/5....83/1005/55/5 Oct 2013 1,299ebay.com
3.
 
Nikon D71005/5+ +..85/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2013 1,199ebay.com
4.
 
Olympus E-PL53/5+ +....4.5/54.5/5 Sep 2012 599ebay.com
5.
 
Olympus E-PM23/5....77/1005/54.5/5 Sep 2012 499ebay.com
6.
 
Olympus E-P3..83/100..74/1004.5/54.5/5 Jun 2011 799ebay.com
7.
 
Olympus E-PL23/583/100..71/1004.5/54.5/5 Jan 2011 599ebay.com
8.
 
Olympus E-PM1..86/100..71/1004.5/54.5/5 Jun 2011 499ebay.com
9.
 
Olympus E-PL1..86/100..69/1004/54.5/5 Feb 2010 599ebay.com
10.
 
Olympus E-P23/5+..69/1004/54.5/5 Nov 2009 799ebay.com
11.
 
Panasonic GF53/5......4.5/54.5/5 Apr 2012 499ebay.com
12.
 
Panasonic GF33/582/100..71/1004.5/54/5 Jun 2011 549ebay.com
13.
 
Panasonic GF23/582/100..70/1004.5/54.5/5 Nov 2010 549ebay.com
14.
 
Pentax KP4/5..3/582/1005/54.5/5 Jan 2017 1,099ebay.com
15.
 
Pentax K-3 II4.5/5......5/55/5 Apr 2015 1,099ebay.com
16.
 
Pentax K-5 II5/5....80/1005/54.5/5 Sep 2012 1,099ebay.com
17.
 
Sony A775/591/100..81/100..5/5 Aug 2011 1,399ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make your choice using the following search menu. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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    Specifications: Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K-3

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Olympus E-PL3 Pentax K-3
    Camera Type Mirrorless system camera Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Micro Four Thirds lenses Pentax K mount lenses
    Launch Date June 2011 October 2013
    Launch Price USD 599 USD 1,299
    Sensor Specs Olympus E-PL3 Pentax K-3
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format Four Thirds Sensor APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 17.3 x 13.0 mm 23.5 x 15.6 mm
    Sensor Area 224.9 mm2 366.6 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 21.6 mm 28.2 mm
    Crop Factor 2.0x 1.5x
    Sensor Resolution 12.2 Megapixels 24.1 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4032 x 3024 pixels 6016 x 4000 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 4.29 μm 3.90 μm
    Pixel Density 5.42 MP/cm2 6.56 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter no AA filter
    Movie Capability 1080/60i Video 1080/60i Video
    ISO Setting 200 - 12,800 ISO 100 - 51,200 ISO
    Image Processor Truepic VI PRIME III
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 52 80
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 20.9 23.7
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 10.3 13.4
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 499 1216
    Screen Specs Olympus E-PL3 Pentax K-3
    Viewfinder Type Viewfinder optional Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.63x
    Top-Level Screen no Top Display Control Panel
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.2inch
    LCD Resolution 460k dots 1037k dots
    LCD Attachment Tilting screen Fixed screen
    Shooting Specs Olympus E-PL3 Pentax K-3
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF Phase-detect AF
    Manual Focusing Aidno Peaking FeatureFocus Peaking
    Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) 1/4000s 1/8000s
    Continuous Shooting 5.5 shutter flaps/s 8.3 shutter flaps/s
    Time-Lapse Photographyno IntervalometerIntervalometer built-in
    Image StabilizationIn-body stabilizationIn-body stabilization
    Fill Flash no On-Board Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Dual card slots
    UHS card support no UHS-I
    Connectivity Specs Olympus E-PL3 Pentax K-3
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    Studio Flash no PC Sync PC Sync socket
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 3.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI mini HDMI
    Microphone Port no MIC socket External MIC port
    Headphone Socket no Headphone port Headphone port
    Wifi Support no Wifi no Wifi
    Body Specs Olympus E-PL3 Pentax K-3
    Environmental Sealingnot weather sealedWeathersealed body
    Battery Type Olympus BLS-5 Pentax D-LI90
    Battery Life (CIPA)300 shots per charge560 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 110 x 64 x 37 mm
    (4.3 x 2.5 x 1.5 in)
    131 x 100 x 77 mm
    (5.2 x 3.9 x 3.0 in)
    Camera Weight 313 g (11.0 oz) 800 g (28.2 oz)
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    Check K-3 offers at
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