• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  •  
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 70.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus E-PL3 advantages over Sony RX100 V

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.29 vs 2.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 300 vs 220 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Sony RX100 V advantages over Olympus E-PL3

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • 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
  • Higher effective ISO
    586 vs 499 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    12.4 vs 10.2 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    8 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
    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
    20.1 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    23.8 fps vs 5.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    150 vs 9 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • 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
  • 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

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Pocket-friendly design; Unbelievably fast burst capture; Generous buffer depth, even for raw; Fast and confident autofocus; Very high resolution gives lots of detail in good light; High ISO noise levels much better than most pocket camera rivals; High-quality 4K video with uncompressed HDMI out; Super-fast High Frame Rate video

  • Very pricey for a compact camera; Still no touch screen; Slow buffer clearing; JPEGs can look over-processed at higher ISOs; Lens doesn't offer much telephoto reach; Battery life is very modest; 4K movies are limited to five minute clips

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
Sony RX100 V
Olympus E-P3
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Olympus E-PM1

Olympus E-PL3
Olympus E-PM1
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
Sony RX100 V
Olympus E-PM1
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Panasonic GF5

Olympus E-PL3
Panasonic GF5
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup
Sony RX100 V
Panasonic GF5
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Sony RX100 IV

Olympus E-PL3
Sony RX100 IV
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $898
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Sony RX100 V
Sony RX100 IV
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $898
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Sony RX100 VA

Olympus E-PL3
Sony RX100 VA
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Sony RX100 V
Sony RX100 VA
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • Bigger RAW buffer
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