• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  •  
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 200.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus E-PL3 advantages over Sony RX100 VII

  • 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)
  • 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 VII 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
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 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
    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
  • Less shutter lag
    0.12 vs 0.24 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    20.0 fps vs 5.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    169 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

  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • 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

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 VII
Olympus E-P3
  • $1304
  • 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 VII
Olympus E-PM1
  • $1304
  • 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 VII
Panasonic GF5
  • $1304
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Panasonic ZS100

Olympus E-PL3
Panasonic ZS100
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $498
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Sony RX100 VII
Panasonic ZS100
  • $1304
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $498
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Sony RX100 VI

Olympus E-PL3
Sony RX100 VI
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $949
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Sony RX100 VII
Sony RX100 VI
  • $1304
  • 1 inch
  • External Mic Jack
  • $949
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Faster JPEG shooting
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