• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Olympus E-P3 advantages over Ricoh GR III

  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 330 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • 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

Ricoh GR III advantages over Olympus E-P3

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Newer
    6 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1037k vs 614k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs Fixed
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
  • Longer exposure
    1200 vs 60 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.3 fps vs 3.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 19 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 12800 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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

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.

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
Ricoh GR III
Olympus E-P2
  • $1221
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Touchscreen
  • $1100
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Olympus E-PL1

Olympus E-P3
Olympus E-PL1
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
Ricoh GR III
Olympus E-PL1
  • $1221
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Touchscreen
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Internal flash

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
Ricoh GR III
Olympus E-PL2
  • $1221
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Touchscreen
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Internal flash

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
Ricoh GR III
Olympus E-PL3
  • $1221
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Touchscreen
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Panasonic GX1

Olympus E-P3
Panasonic GX1
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Fast startup
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Higher effective ISO
Ricoh GR III
Panasonic GX1
  • $1221
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Longer stills battery life
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