• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 300.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus E-P3 advantages over Canon 170 IS

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.29 vs 1.20 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
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 330 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • 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
  • 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 0.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon 170 IS advantages over Olympus E-P3

  • Less expensive
    $150 vs $900 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 34 mm
    Thinner
  • More pixels
    20.0 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

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

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

User reviews

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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.

  • Read our Olympus E-P3 Review

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

Compare Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-P2

Canon 170 IS
Olympus E-P2
  • $371
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $1100
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon 170 IS vs Olympus E-P2

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

Compare Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL2

Canon 170 IS
Olympus E-PL2
  • $371
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 170 IS vs Olympus E-PL2

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

Compare Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL3

Canon 170 IS
Olympus E-PL3
  • $371
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 170 IS vs Olympus E-PL3

Compared to Canon 350 HS

Olympus E-P3
Canon 350 HS
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $209
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Olympus E-P3 vs Canon 350 HS

Canon 170 IS
Canon 350 HS
  • $371
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $209
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC

Compare Canon 170 IS vs Canon 350 HS

Compared to Canon 360 HS

Olympus E-P3
Canon 360 HS
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $284
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC

Compare Olympus E-P3 vs Canon 360 HS

Canon 170 IS
Canon 360 HS
  • $371
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $284
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC

Compare Canon 170 IS vs Canon 360 HS

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