• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 14.8 megapixels
  • 28.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus E-P3 advantages over Sigma DP1 Merrill

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Fast startup
    ~0.90 vs 2.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 330 vs 97 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    34 mm vs 63 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.22 vs 0.49 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    19 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sigma DP1 Merrill advantages over Olympus E-P3

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.00 vs 4.29 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 614k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    14.8 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
    Yes vs No
    A unique sensor design provides sharp photos without moiré
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    3.8 fps vs 3.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Extremely fast autofocus; Pop-up flash and AF-assist lamp; Full HD recording; wisely limited focus for touchscreen; excellent print quality results; removable grip.

  • Larger than some competitors (see E-PL3 if you prefer a smaller camera); strong noise suppression; touchscreen easily activated by mistake; list of options is overwhelming; shoulder strap D-rings are noisy.

  • Exceptionally detailed and uniquely beautiful image quality at low ISOs; Fast, sharp 28mm-equivalent lens; Simple, straightforward controls match camera's simple, straightforward (street photography) goals.

  • Fixed-focal-length lens; Image quality deteriorates significantly at ISO 800 and above; Overall sluggish performer; Falls short when capturing JPEGs; Terrible VGA-only video quality; Very poor battery life; No built-in flash.

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-P2

Olympus E-P3
Olympus E-P2
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $1100
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Sigma DP1 Merrill
Olympus E-P2
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $1100
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Olympus E-PL2

Olympus E-P3
Olympus E-PL2
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • More dots on screen
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
Sigma DP1 Merrill
Olympus E-PL2
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Olympus E-PL3

Olympus E-P3
Olympus E-PL3
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Internal flash
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
Sigma DP1 Merrill
Olympus E-PL3
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Leica X2

Olympus E-P3
Leica X2
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Longer stills battery life
Sigma DP1 Merrill
Leica X2
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More dots on screen
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Leica X-E (Typ 102)

Olympus E-P3
Leica X-E (Typ 102)
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1534
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher max flash sync
Sigma DP1 Merrill
Leica X-E (Typ 102)
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More dots on screen
  • $1534
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Internal flash
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