• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  •  
  • APS-C 368.2mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 6400

Buy From

Differences

Olympus E-PL3 advantages over Fujifilm X-A1

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Fujifilm X-A1 advantages over Olympus E-PL3

  • Less expensive
    $600 vs $700 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Higher-res screen
    307k 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
  • More pixels
    16.3 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    30 vs 9 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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

  • 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
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-PL3

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Fujifilm X-A1
Kit with 16-50mm Lens
All X-A1 Deals

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

Compare Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus E-P3

Fujifilm X-A1
Olympus E-P3
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Fujifilm X-A1 vs Olympus E-P3

Compared to Olympus E-PM1

Olympus E-PL3
Olympus E-PM1
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive

Compare Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus E-PM1

Fujifilm X-A1
Olympus E-PM1
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection

Compare Fujifilm X-A1 vs Olympus E-PM1

Compared to Panasonic GF5

Olympus E-PL3
Panasonic GF5
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup

Compare Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GF5

Fujifilm X-A1
Panasonic GF5
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen

Compare Fujifilm X-A1 vs Panasonic GF5

Compared to Sony NEX-3N

Olympus E-PL3
Sony NEX-3N
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $449
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Olympus E-PL3 vs Sony NEX-3N

Fujifilm X-A1
Sony NEX-3N
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Higher-res screen
  • $449
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Fujifilm X-A1 vs Sony NEX-3N

Compared to Sony NEX-5T

Olympus E-PL3
Sony NEX-5T
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-PL3 vs Sony NEX-5T

Fujifilm X-A1
Sony NEX-5T
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Fujifilm X-A1 vs Sony NEX-5T

Compare Other Cameras?