Olympus E-PL3 vs Leica C

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Olympus E-PL3 vs Leica C

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4/3 224.9mm²
12.3 megapixels

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-PL3 Review.

1/1.7 inch 43.3mm²
12.1 megapixels
28.00mm - 200.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Leica C Review.

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Differences

Olympus E-PL3 advantages over Leica C

Larger sensor
4/3 vs 1/1.7 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.29 vs 1.90 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
E-PL3 test data on DxO Mark C test data on DxO Mark

499 vs 193 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Leica C advantages over Olympus E-PL3

Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
C test data on DxO Mark E-PL3 test data on DxO Mark

11.6 vs 10.2 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Thinner
28 mm vs 37 mm
Thinner
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
Longer exposure
250 vs 60 sec
Long exposures for night shots

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.
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

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
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
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
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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Review Excerpt

We haven’t reviewed the Olympus E-PL3.
Read our Olympus E-PL3 Initial Test

We haven’t reviewed the Leica C.
Read our Leica C Preview

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

Leica C

Olympus E-P3

$699
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

$561
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Leica C 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

Leica C

Olympus E-PM1

$699
1/1.7 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
In-camera panoramas

$500
4/3

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Leica C vs Olympus E-PM1

Compared to Canon S100

Olympus E-PL3

Canon S100

$700
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$429
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
More dynamic range

Compare Olympus E-PL3 vs Canon S100

Leica C

Canon S100

$699
1/1.7 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
In-camera panoramas

$429
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
Built-in GPS

Compare Leica C vs Canon S100

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

Leica C

Panasonic GF5

$699
1/1.7 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$450
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Leica C vs Panasonic GF5

Compared to Panasonic LF1

Olympus E-PL3

Panasonic LF1

$700
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$248
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic LF1

Leica C

Panasonic LF1

$699
1/1.7 inch

$248
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive

Compare Leica C vs Panasonic LF1

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