• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.4 megapixels
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  •  
  • Detailed specifications
  • Pentax Q
  • Olympus PEN E-PL3
Links
Prices: Compare Prices  
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor: Pentax Q10
Q vs Q10
 
General
Model Number: Q E-PL3
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Compact System Camera Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $749.95 $699.99
Street Price: $695.00  
Date Available: 2011-09-30 2011-09-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 8.5 oz (241 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
15.1 oz (428 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 3.9 x 2.3 x 1.2 in.
(98 x 58 x 31 mm)
4.3 x 2.5 x 1.5 in.
(110 x 64 x 37 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS Live MOS
Sensor Manufacturer:   Panasonic
Effective Megapixels: 12.4 12.3
Sensor Format: 1/2.3 inch 4/3
Sensor size: 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm) 224.9mm2 (17.30mm x 13.00mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 1.54 microns 4.29 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 5.5x 2.0x
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 47 52
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 20.2 20.9
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 11.1 10.3
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 189 499
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4000 x 3000 (12.0 MP, 4:3),
4000 x 2664 (10.7 MP, 3:2),
4000 x 2248 (9.0 MP, 16:9),
2992 x 2992 (9.0 MP, 1:1),
3456 x 2592 (9.0 MP, 4:3),
3456 x 2304 (8.0 MP, 3:2),
3456 x 1944 (6.7 MP, 16:9),
2592 x 2592 (6.7 MP, 1:1),
2688 x 2016 (5.4 MP, 4:3),
2688 x 1792 (4.8 MP, 3:2),
2688 x 1512 (4.1 MP, 16:9),
2016 x 2016 (4.1 MP, 1:1),
1920 x 1440 (2.8 MP, 4:3),
1920 x 1280 (2.5 MP, 3:2),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
1440 x 1440 (2.1 MP, 1:1)
4032 x 3024 (12.2 MP, 4:3),
3200 x 2400 (7.7 MP, 4:3),
2560 x 1920 (4.9 MP, 4:3),
1920 x 1440 (2.8 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
1280 x 960 (1.2 MP, 4:3),
1024 x 768 (0.8 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3)
Image File Format: JPEG (Exif 2.3), 12-bit DNG RAW JPEG (EXIF 2.2), MPO (3D), 12-bit RAW (.ORF)
Continuous-mode frames/second: 5.3 5.3
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (30p)
1280x720 (30p)
640x480 (30p)
1920x1080 (60i (20Mbps/​17Mbps))
1280x720 (60p (17Mbps/​13Mbps))
1280x720 (30p)
640x480 (30p)
Movie File Format: MOV (AVC H.264) with stereo sound AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder:
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Pentax Q Micro Four Thirds
Lens: 01 Standard Prime smc Pentax 8.5mm f/1.9 AL [IF] Olympus 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II R MSC M.Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 47mm 28 - 84mm
Focal Length (actual): 8.5mm 14 - 42mm
Zoom Ratio: 1.00x 3.00x
Aperture Range: f/1.9 - f/8.0 f/3.5 (wide) / f/5.6 (tele) - f/22
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 20 cm to Infinity
7.9 in to Infinity
25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 40.5mm 37.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: 2x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast Detection: AF Single (w focus lock, focus/release priority selectable), AF Continuous, AF Face Detection, Manual; Auto 25 Point, User-Selectable, Center Contrast Detect: High-speed, 35-point with Face Detection and Tracking. Auto from all 35 area, Single area from 35 area, Group Target area (9 area) from 35 area, Up to 8 Faces Detected
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: No / LCD LCD
Viewfinder Type: Optional O-VF1 Optical Viewfinder (hotshoe mount) Optional EVF mounted in flash hotshoe
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):    
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):    
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: No No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 460,000 dots 460,000 dots (153,000 px)
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 16.0x 14.0x
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 6400  
Minimum ISO (native): 125  
ISO Settings: Auto (125-6400), 125-6400, 1/3 steps Auto (customizable range), 200 - 12800 (1/3, 1 EV steps)
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Fluorescent (D, N, W, L), Tungsten, Flash, CTE Auto, Lamp, Fluorescent, Daylight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade, Underwater, Custom WB, One-touch WB
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/4000 - 60 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot 324-zone Digital ESP, Center Weighted Average, Spot (~1%, with Highlight/Shadow modes)
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Moving Object, Night Scene Portrait, Sunset, Blue Sky, Night Scene, Night Scene HDR (JPG only), Night Snap, Food, Quick Macro (JPG only), Pet, Kids, Forest, Surf & Snow, HDR (JPG only), Backlight Silhouette, Candlelight, Stage Lighting, Museum Portrait, e-Portrait, Landscape, Landscape + Portrait, Macro, Sport, Night Scene, Night + Portrait, Children, High Key, Low Key, DIS mode, Nature Macro, Candle, Sunset, Document, Panorama, Fireworks, Beach & Snow, Fisheye Conv, Wide Conv, Macro Conv, 3D, Underwater wide, Underwater macro; Art Filters (Pop Art, Soft Focus, Grainy Film, Pin Hole, Diorama, Dramatic Tone)
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 2 or 12 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer): Yes  
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes No
Flash Modes: Auto, Flash Off, Flash On, Auto + Redeye, On + Redeye, Soft Auto, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction slow sync., Slow sync at 1st curtain, Slow sync at 2nd curtain, Fill-in, Manual (Full, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, 1/64), Off. Wireless flash control supported.
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 5.0 m / 16.4 ft. 7.0 m / 23.0 ft.
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent. GN of 7m at ISO 200. Bundled external flash has GN of 7m (ISO 100) or 10m (ISO 200)
Max Flash Sync: 1/2000 1/160
Flash Exposure Compensation: -2 to +1 EV +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe Hot shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: 12-bit DNG RAW 12-bit RAW (.ORF)
Movie File Format: MOV (AVC H.264) with stereo sound AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Included Memory: 0.0 MB No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: No Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional IR Optional RM-UC1 wired remote
Connections (extended): HDMI out (Type D, Micro) Accessory Port 2, Multi Connector (USB/AV/Remote), Mini HDMI (Type C)
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 1.39 0.57
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 1.72 0.56
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 3 8
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 5.3 5.3
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 6 9
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.71 seconds 0.24 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.274 seconds 0.113 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 1.16 seconds 0.43 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.082 seconds 0.073 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Full Autofocus lag: Multi-area AF mode = 0.735s  
Startup Time: 3.7 seconds 2.1 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 1.0 seconds 0.6 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.1 seconds 4.9 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 230 shots 300 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary D-LI68 Proprietary BLS-1 or BLS-5
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary D-LI68 Lithium-ion rechargeable Proprietary BLS-1 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: Software CD-ROM S-SW115 (includes SilkyPix) OLYMPUS Viewer 2/[ib] CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows XP/Vista/7, Mac OS X 10.3+  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: World's smallest, lightest Interchangeable Lens Camera. Sensor-shift IS, dust reduction, full HD movies, HDR mode. Available in black or white. Sensor-shift Image Stabilization, 3-inch 460k-dot Tilting LCD, TruePic VI Image Processor, "FAST" AF System, Burst mode up to 5.5fps, Full HD movies, 6 Art Filters. External FL-LM1 flash bundled. Available in Black, White, Silver and Red.