• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  •  
  • APS-C 337.5mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

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Differences

Olympus E-PL3 advantages over Canon 70D

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Thinner
    37 mm vs 78 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    428g vs 1233g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Canon 70D advantages over Olympus E-PL3

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Fast startup
    ~0.70 vs 2.1 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Higher effective ISO
    926 vs 499 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    11.6 vs 10.2 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 920 vs 300 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    216 mm vs 84 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Higher-res screen
    347k vs 153k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.07 vs 0.24 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    20.2 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.7 fps vs 5.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    65 vs 9 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • 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

  • Dual Pixel CMOS AF delivers full-time continuous autofocus (with phase detect at every pixel in framing area) for video and Live View still shooting; Full HD (1080p) video recording with pro-level features and quality; Improved resolution and good high ISO performance; Excellent Wi-Fi remote shooting with full exposure controls; 3-inch articulating LCD touchscreen.

  • Image quality only improved slightly over 60D; Dynamic range still lags behind competing models; May not feature enough upgrades to convince people to step up from 60D.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7100

Olympus E-PL3
Nikon D7100
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $690
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Canon 70D
Nikon D7100
  • $1149
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $690
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compared to Olympus E-P3

Olympus E-PL3
Olympus E-P3
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Internal flash
Canon 70D
Olympus E-P3
  • $1149
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner

Compared to Olympus E-PM1

Olympus E-PL3
Olympus E-PM1
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
Canon 70D
Olympus E-PM1
  • $1149
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner

Compared to Panasonic GF5

Olympus E-PL3
Panasonic GF5
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup
Canon 70D
Panasonic GF5
  • $1149
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight

Compared to Sony A77 II

Olympus E-PL3
Sony A77 II
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Thinner
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
Canon 70D
Sony A77 II
  • $1149
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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