Samsung NX100 vs Olympus E-PL3

Cameras
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Samsung NX100 vs Olympus E-PL3

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APS-C 369.7mm²
14.6 megapixels

Go in depth with our full Samsung NX100 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the NX100.

4/3 224.9mm²
12.3 megapixels

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

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Differences

Samsung NX100 advantages over Olympus E-PL3

Less expensive
$600 vs $700 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.16 vs 4.29 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~1.10 vs 2.1 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
NX100 test data on DxO Mark E-PL3 test data on DxO Mark

563 vs 499 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
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

420 vs 300 shots
Capture more photos
More dots on screen
614k vs 460k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
More pixels
14.6 vs 12.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos

Olympus E-PL3 advantages over Samsung NX100

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
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Less shutter lag
0.24 vs 0.43 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Wider angle kit lens
28 mm vs 31 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
5.3 fps vs 2.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
12800 vs 6400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

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
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
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
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

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Buy the Samsung NX100

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Buy the Olympus E-PL3

Review Excerpt

Read our Samsung NX100 Review

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

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-5

Samsung NX100

Sony NEX-5

$799
APS-C

Less expensive
Longer stills battery life

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
In-camera panoramas

Compare Samsung NX100 vs Sony NEX-5

Olympus E-PL3

Sony NEX-5

$700
4/3

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$700
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-PL3 vs Sony NEX-5

Compared to Olympus E-PM1

Samsung NX100

Olympus E-PM1

$799
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$500
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Samsung NX100 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 Sony NEX-5N

Samsung NX100

Sony NEX-5N

$799
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
In-camera panoramas

Compare Samsung NX100 vs Sony NEX-5N

Olympus E-PL3

Sony NEX-5N

$700
4/3

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$700
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-PL3 vs Sony NEX-5N

Compared to Panasonic GF5

Samsung NX100

Panasonic GF5

$799
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$450
4/3

Lens selection
Touchscreen

Compare Samsung NX100 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

Compared to Sony NEX-6

Samsung NX100

Sony NEX-6

$799
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

$549
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

Compare Samsung NX100 vs Sony NEX-6

Olympus E-PL3

Sony NEX-6

$700
4/3

Less expensive
Lens selection

$549
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-PL3 vs Sony NEX-6

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