• APS-C 357.3mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Sony A3000 advantages over Olympus E-PL9

  • Less expensive
    $400 vs $700 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 470 vs 350 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

Olympus E-PL9 advantages over Sony A3000

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Thinner
    39 mm vs 84 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    7 years vs 11 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Lighter weight
    473g vs 616g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    1037k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.6 fps vs 3.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 11 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 16000 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • 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

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Review Excerpt

  • Absolutely incredible value; Includes a stabilized kit lens; More versatile than a fixed-lens bridge camera; Comfortable body with good ergonomics; Great image quality; Good autofocus performance; Decent battery life.

  • Feels a bit plasticky; Slow burst shooting with limited buffer; Sluggish to power on or switch modes; Low-res EVF and LCD monitor; Can't review images using EVF; No video output; Weak flash; Battery charges in-camera.

  • Read our Sony A3000 Review

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K-01

Sony A3000
Pentax K-01
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $359
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sony A3000 vs Pentax K-01

Olympus E-PL9
Pentax K-01
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $359
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax K-01

Compared to Sigma sd Quattro

Sony A3000
Sigma sd Quattro
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • HDMI out

Compare Sony A3000 vs Sigma sd Quattro

Olympus E-PL9
Sigma sd Quattro
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Sigma sd Quattro

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Sony A3000
Panasonic GX85
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sony A3000 vs Panasonic GX85

Olympus E-PL9
Panasonic GX85
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GX85

Compared to Canon EOS M5

Sony A3000
Canon EOS M5
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony A3000 vs Canon EOS M5

Olympus E-PL9
Canon EOS M5
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Canon EOS M5

Compared to Olympus E-PL8

Sony A3000
Olympus E-PL8
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sony A3000 vs Olympus E-PL8

Olympus E-PL9
Olympus E-PL8
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $599
  • 4/3

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus E-PL8

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