• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 18.0 megapixels
  • ISO 320 - 10,000

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Differences

Olympus E-P3 advantages over Leica M Monochrom

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $900 vs $7950 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 32 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    3.1 fps vs 2.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    19 vs 8 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Leica M Monochrom advantages over Olympus E-P3

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.86 vs 4.29 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • More pixels
    18.0 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

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
  • 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
  • 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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  • Body Only (Black)
  • Body Only (Silver)

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

Leica M Monochrom
Olympus E-P2
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1100
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Leica M Monochrom 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

Leica M Monochrom
Olympus E-PL2
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Leica M Monochrom 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

Leica M Monochrom
Olympus E-PL3
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Leica M Monochrom vs Olympus E-PL3

Compared to Leica M (Typ 240)

Olympus E-P3
Leica M (Typ 240)
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $6995
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-P3 vs Leica M (Typ 240)

Leica M Monochrom
Leica M (Typ 240)
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $6995
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoots 24p video

Compare Leica M Monochrom vs Leica M (Typ 240)

Compared to Leica M-E (Typ 220)

Olympus E-P3
Leica M-E (Typ 220)
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $7999
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-P3 vs Leica M-E (Typ 220)

Leica M Monochrom
Leica M-E (Typ 220)
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $7999
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Leica M Monochrom vs Leica M-E (Typ 220)

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