Olympus E-PL3 vs Samsung NX3000

Cameras
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Samsung NX3000

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4/3 224.9mm²
12.3 megapixels

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

APS-C 369.0mm²
20.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Samsung NX3000 Review.
How does it shoot? Samsung NX3000 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the NX3000.

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Differences

Olympus E-PL3 advantages over Samsung NX3000

Lens selection
Excellent vs Limited
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

Samsung NX3000 advantages over Olympus E-PL3

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Less expensive
$529 vs $700 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
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
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

370 vs 300 shots
Capture more photos
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
More pixels
20.3 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
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
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

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
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
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
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

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read E-PL3 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read NX3000 User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

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

We haven’t finished our review of the Samsung NX3000, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Samsung NX3000 Shooter's Report

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

Samsung NX3000

Olympus E-P3

$950
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$561
4/3

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Samsung NX3000 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

Samsung NX3000

Olympus E-PM1

$950
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-camera panoramas

$500
4/3

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Samsung NX3000 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

Samsung NX3000

Panasonic GF5

$950
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-camera panoramas

$450
4/3

Lens selection
Touchscreen

Compare Samsung NX3000 vs Panasonic GF5

Compared to Fujifilm X-M1

Olympus E-PL3

Fujifilm X-M1

$700
4/3

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$993
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-PL3 vs Fujifilm X-M1

Samsung NX3000

Fujifilm X-M1

$950
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$993
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

Compare Samsung NX3000 vs Fujifilm X-M1

Compared to Canon EOS M3

Olympus E-PL3

Canon EOS M3

$700
4/3

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$700
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-PL3 vs Canon EOS M3

Samsung NX3000

Canon EOS M3

$950
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$700
APS-C

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

Compare Samsung NX3000 vs Canon EOS M3

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