• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  •  
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 18.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Olympus E-PL3 advantages over Canon EOS-1D C

  • Less expensive
    $700 vs $15000 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Thinner
    37 mm vs 82 mm
    Thinner
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Canon EOS-1D C advantages over Olympus E-PL3

  • 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
    ~ 6.94 vs 4.29 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • 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
  • More dots on screen
    1040k vs 460k 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
    18.1 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.0 fps vs 5.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 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
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

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 EOS-1D C
Olympus E-P3
  • $6989
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Olympus E-PM1

Olympus E-PL3
Olympus E-PM1
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
Canon EOS-1D C
Olympus E-PM1
  • $6989
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Canon 1DX

Olympus E-PL3
Canon 1DX
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $5299
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Canon EOS-1D C
Canon 1DX
  • $6989
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Headphone jack
  • $5299
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive

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 EOS-1D C
Panasonic GF5
  • $6989
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Internal flash

Compared to Nikon D4S

Olympus E-PL3
Nikon D4S
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Canon EOS-1D C
Nikon D4S
  • $6989
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Higher extended ISO
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