Olympus PEN E-PL3

Olympus PEN E-PL3

Camera summary

The Olympus PEN E-PL3, made by Olympus, is a powerful Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera. Announced on Sept. 20, 2011.

See full specifications
Feature Score
Autofocus specs
3.6 out of 5 stars
Connectivity
3.3 out of 5 stars
Exposure mode
2.5 out of 5 stars
Photography features
4.3 out of 5 stars
Physical
0.3 out of 5 stars
Average Score
2.8 out of 5 stars

Predecessor

This camera builds on the success of its predecessor, the Olympus PEN E-PL2, with advanced features and improved performance.

Compare this camera to the Olympus PEN E-PL2

Sensor

This camera has a CMOS sensor with a 12 Megapixels resolution.

Focus points

This camera has 35 focus points. AF Face detection available, ideal for portraits and selfies. It offers AF tracking, which allows you to track moving objects

Max video resolutions

1920 x 1080

Expect recording in 1920 x 1080 with support for the following formats: AVCHD, Motion JPEG.

Connectivity

Built-in wireless connectivity. Support for HDMI, so you can connect it to screens, monitors or any compatible device. Support for USB, transfer files and upgrade your camera's software directly from your computer.

Battery life

BLS-5

The battery of this camera can last up to 300 shots per charge with the included BLS-5 battery. Consider that this value can fluctuate and depends on the mAh of the battery (sometimes generic batteries have more mAh) and also on the usage, the amount of time you use the screen, the flash, etc.

Although this camera may have a decent battery life, its performance is not as great as the most powerful cameras. Always make sure to carry one extra battery, just in case.

Other features

This camera doesn't include a microphone port, which can be a major headache when recording video or interviews, consider it before buying it.

Autofocus specs

Af center
No
Af continuous
Yes
Af Contrast Detection
Yes
Af Face detection
Yes
Af live view
Yes
Af multi area
Yes
Af phase detection
No
Af selective
Yes
Af single
Yes
Af touch
No
Af tracking
Yes
Number of cross focus points -
Number of focus points 35

Connectivity

HDMI
Yes
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
Wireless connectivity -
DXO color depth 20.9
DXO dynamic range 10.3
DXO low light ISO 499.0
DXO overall score 52.0

Exposure mode

AF area
No
average
No
Center weighted
Yes
Multi segment
Yes
partial
No
spot
Yes

General

AKA -
announced Sept. 20, 2011
Body type Rangefinder-style mirrorless
brand Olympus
msrp $279.00
model Olympus PEN E-PL3
predecessor model Olympus E-PL2

Lense

Focal length multiplier
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds
Manual focus
Yes
Macro focus range -
Number of lenses 128

Other features

GPS -
Self-timer Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Storage slots 1
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC
Timelapse recording
No

Photography features

AE bracketing
Yes
Aperture priority
Yes
Built-in flash
No
Custom white balance
Yes
Exposure compensation
Yes
External flash
Yes
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
Flash range no built-in flash
Image stabilization
Yes
Manual exposure mode
Yes
Max continuous shooting 6.0 fps
Max mechanical shutter speed 1/4000s
Minimum shutter speed 60
Shutter priority
Yes
WB bracketing
Yes

Physical

Battery life 300 shots
Battery model BLS-5
Battery type Battery Pack
Crush proof
No
Dust proof
No
Environmental sealing
No
Freeze proof
No
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 37mm
Shock proof
No
Water proof
No
Weight 313 grs

Screen

Live view
Yes
Screen resolution 460
Screen size -
Screen type Tilting
Touch screen
No

Sensor

Max boosted ISO -
Max image resolution 4032 x 3024
Max native ISO 12800
Min native ISO 200
RAW support
Yes
Sensor area -
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13 mm
Sensor resolution 12
Sensor size Four Thirds
Sensor type CMOS

Headphone port

Headphone port
No
Max video resolution 1920 x 1080
Microphone port
No
Video formats AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)

Viewfinder

viewfinder Electronic (optional)
viewfinder coverage -
viewfinder magnification -
viewfinder resolution no electronic viewfinder