• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  •  
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 20.8 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 102,400

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Differences

Olympus E-PL3 advantages over Nikon D6

  • Less expensive
    $700 vs $6500 (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 92 mm
    Thinner

Nikon D6 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
    ~ 6.45 vs 4.29 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • 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
  • Newer
    5 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Higher-res screen
    590k 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
    20.8 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
  • Longer exposure
    900 vs 60 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    327680 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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

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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
Nikon D6
Olympus E-P3
  • $6500
  • 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
Nikon D6
Olympus E-PM1
  • $6500
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

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 D6
Panasonic GF5
  • $6500
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Internal flash
  • Thinner

Compared to Nikon D5

Olympus E-PL3
Nikon D5
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $4891
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Nikon D6
Nikon D5
  • $6500
  • 35mm
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Built-in GPS
  • $4891
  • 35mm
  • Higher extended ISO

Compared to Canon 1DX Mark III

Olympus E-PL3
Canon 1DX Mark III
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $6499
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Nikon D6
Canon 1DX Mark III
  • $6500
  • 35mm
  • Longer exposure
  • $6499
  • 35mm
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • On-sensor phase detect
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