• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  •  
  • APS-C 357.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

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Differences

Olympus E-PL3 advantages over Nikon D3200

  • 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 76 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    428g vs 773g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.3 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Nikon D3200 advantages over Olympus E-PL3

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C 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
  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 2.1 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Better color depth
    24.1 vs 20.9 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,131 vs 499 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.2 vs 10.2 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 540 vs 300 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • 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
    24.2 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 9 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

  • High resolution allows cropping; Good performance in low light; Compact and comfortable, highly portable; Fast and responsive, just begs to take pictures; Quiet shutter is great for candids.

  • Mediocre kit lens; Might be too small for some; No bracketing; Narrow flash coverage; Matrix metering tends to overexpose.

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
Nikon D3200
Olympus E-P3
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $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
Nikon D3200
Olympus E-PM1
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $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
Nikon D3200
Panasonic GF5
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Thinner

Compared to Nikon D5200

Olympus E-PL3
Nikon D5200
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner
  • $590
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
Nikon D3200
Nikon D5200
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger RAW buffer
  • $590
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Higher effective ISO

Compared to Sony A58

Olympus E-PL3
Sony A58
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Thinner
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
Nikon D3200
Sony A58
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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