Canon SD960 IS vs Olympus E-P3

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Canon SD960 IS vs Olympus E-P3

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1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
12.1 megapixels
28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon SD960 IS Review.

4/3 224.9mm²
12.3 megapixels
ISO 200 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-P3 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the E-P3.

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Differences

Canon SD960 IS advantages over Olympus E-P3

Less expensive
$330 vs $900 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Thinner
22 mm vs 34 mm
Thinner
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 19 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Olympus E-P3 advantages over Canon SD960 IS

Larger sensor
4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.29 vs 1.54 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
RAW file ability
Yes vs No
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Fast startup
~0.90 vs 1.7 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

330 vs 200 shots
Capture more photos
More dots on screen
614k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Less shutter lag
0.22 vs 0.42 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 15 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Faster JPEG shooting
3.1 fps vs 1.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/4000 vs 1/1600 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
12800 vs 3200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

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
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

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Buy the Canon SD960 IS

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Buy the Olympus E-P3

Review Excerpt

Read our Canon SD960 IS Express Review

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.
Read our Olympus E-P3 Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FX48S

Canon SD960 IS

Panasonic DMC-FX48S

$299
1/2.3 inch

Manual focus
HDMI out

$259
1/2.33 inch

Longer stills battery life
Wider angle lens

Compare Canon SD960 IS vs Panasonic DMC-FX48S

Olympus E-P3

Panasonic DMC-FX48S

$561
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$259
1/2.33 inch

Less expensive
Thinner

Compare Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic DMC-FX48S

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FX580S

Canon SD960 IS

Panasonic DMC-FX580S

$299
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Manual focus

$303
1/2.33 inch

Longer stills battery life
Wider angle lens

Compare Canon SD960 IS vs Panasonic DMC-FX580S

Olympus E-P3

Panasonic DMC-FX580S

$561
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$303
1/2.33 inch

Less expensive
Thinner

Compare Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic DMC-FX580S

Compared to Canon SD980 IS

Canon SD960 IS

Canon SD980 IS

$299
1/2.3 inch

Manual focus
Faster JPEG shooting

$249
1/2.3 inch

Longer stills battery life
Wider angle lens

Compare Canon SD960 IS vs Canon SD980 IS

Olympus E-P3

Canon SD980 IS

$561
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$249
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Thinner

Compare Olympus E-P3 vs Canon SD980 IS

Compared to Olympus E-P2

Canon SD960 IS

Olympus E-P2

$299
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Fast startup

$1100
4/3

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon SD960 IS vs Olympus E-P2

Olympus E-P3

Olympus E-P2

$561
4/3

Less expensive
Fast startup

$1100
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-P2

Compared to Olympus E-PL3

Canon SD960 IS

Olympus E-PL3

$299
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Internal flash

$700
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SD960 IS vs Olympus E-PL3

Olympus E-P3

Olympus E-PL3

$561
4/3

Fast startup
Internal flash

$700
4/3

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

Compare Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL3

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