Olympus PEN E-P3 Summary
Olympus PEN E-P3 Assessment
The Olympus PEN E-P3 is a relatively compact SLD with plenty of direct controls including dual control-dials and a highly customizable interface. The E-P3 is part of a group of three Micro Four-Thirds cameras launched together in July 2011. The other two are the E-PL3
Olympus PEN E-PL3 and E-PM1
Olympus PEN E-PM1 which feature a single control-dial, no digital-level and no built-in flash but faster 4.1 FPS continuous drives. The E-P3 is the flagship with the most direct controls while the E-PM1 has the least. They all share the same 12 MP LiveMOS sensor and 120 Hz Contrast-Detect autofocus system.
This new sensor delivers high-quality images and performance. Image noise is low and metering rarely overexposes. There are some issues with color- and white-balance accuracy though. The Olympus PEN E-P3 is much faster than its predecessor, particularly for autofocus which is more reliable and performs well in moderately low light.
Although there are plenty of quirks to the E-P3, it is one of the most advanced SLDs available with only one true competitor, the Sony Alpha NEX-7
Sony Alpha NEX-7. That one features three control-dials in a compact body with a 2.4 MP EVF built-in and a 24 MP APS-C size sensor capable of ISO 16000 and 10 FPS continuous drive. The advantage of the E-P3 against it is the use of Micro Four-Third lenses which can be made more compact than their NEX counterparts. Like all NEX cameras, the NEX-7 lacks built-in stabilization and depends on the availability of stabilized lenses.
PROS | CONS |
---|---|
Low image noise | Poor color accuracy |
Conservative metering | Below average AWB |
Fast contrast-detect AF | Useless ISO 12800 |
Short shutter-lag | No detents on lower control-dial |
Almost instant video recording | Poor video framing preview accuracy |
Generally quick and responsive | Modal Exposure-Compensation |
Effective built-in stabilization | Histogram disappears during EC |
Excellent automatic Manual Focus Assist | Not always Exposure-Priority and frequently wrong Live-Histogram |
Great LCD visibility and anti-reflective coating | Uncomfortable strap eyelets |
Highly customizable interface | Poorly placed tripod mount |
Excellent build quality | Low battery life | Excellent Excellent |
Recent Similar Cameras
Olympus PEN E-P3 Related Information
Previous Models |
---|
Olympus PEN E-P2 Olympus PEN E-P2 - ISO 6400 Max, 11-Area AF, 230K Pixels LCD, 720p Video |
Olympus PEN E-PL3 Olympus PEN E-PL3 - 4.1 FPS, 1 Control-Dial, No Digital-Level |
Olympus PEN E-PM1 Olympus PEN E-PM1 - 4.1 FPS, 1 Control-Dial, No Digital-Level |
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Olympus E-P3 Highlights
Sensor-Size: 17 x 13mm
Actual size when viewed at 100 DPI
12 Megapixels Mirrorless | ISO 200-12800 |
Micro Four-Thirds Mount 2X FLM | Shutter 1/4000-60s |
2-Axis Built-in Stabilization | Full manual controls, including Manual Focus |
0.20" Optional EVF 1.4 Megapixels (0.58X) | Custom white-balance with 2 axis fine-tuning |
2 Axis Digital Level | Spot-Metering |
Built-in Dust Reduction | Hot-Shoe |
3 FPS Drive, Unlimited Images | Lithium-Ion Battery |
1920x1080 @ 30 FPS Video Recording | Secure Digital Extended Capacity |
3" LCD 610K Pixels |
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