• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 37.00mm - 111.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  •  

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Differences

Pentax S12 advantages over Olympus E-PL3

  • Less expensive
    $280 vs $700 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    23 mm vs 37 mm
    Thinner

Olympus E-PL3 advantages over Pentax S12

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/1.7 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.29 vs 1.90 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 232k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 3200 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
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Pentax A40

Pentax S12
Pentax A40
  • $280
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • $300
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Pentax S12 vs Pentax A40

Olympus E-PL3
Pentax A40
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $300
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax A40

Compared to Samsung SL310

Pentax S12
Samsung SL310
  • $280
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Manual focus
  • $230
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Pentax S12 vs Samsung SL310

Olympus E-PL3
Samsung SL310
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $230
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-PL3 vs Samsung SL310

Compared to Samsung TL34HD

Pentax S12
Samsung TL34HD
  • $280
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus
  • $330
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • HDMI out

Compare Pentax S12 vs Samsung TL34HD

Olympus E-PL3
Samsung TL34HD
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $330
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-PL3 vs Samsung TL34HD

Compared to Olympus E-PM1

Pentax S12
Olympus E-PM1
  • $280
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Pentax S12 vs 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

Compared to Panasonic GF5

Pentax S12
Panasonic GF5
  • $280
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Thinner
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax S12 vs 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

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