Olympus PEN E-PL3 Review | 108 Data compared

The Olympus Pen E-PL3 review by Les Numériques evaluates this interchangeable-lens mirrorless camera, highlighting major design updates alongside noticeable performance trade-offs. On the positive side, the camera is praised for its integrated mechanical image stabilisation that functions across all lenses, a practical 3-inch tilting LCD screen ideal for creative high- or low-angle shots, and highly responsive autofocus in bright lighting conditions. Equipped with a 12-megapixel Micro Four Thirds CMOS sensor and TruePic VI processor, it delivers pleasant, punchy out-of-the-box JPEGs with good color saturation and reliable noise control up to ISO 1600. Video capture also takes a step forward with 1080i Full HD recording coupled with stereo sound and a smooth, silent continuous autofocus system. However, the review outlines several structural and performance shortcomings that capped its final score at 3 out of 5 stars. The revamped sleek metal body sacrifices handling comfort by completely omitting a handgrip or textured rubber coating, leaving the camera slick and difficult to hold securely. Additionally, Olympus eliminated the built-in flash, forcing users to rely on an included clip-on external unit that occupies the...

The Olympus Pen E-PL3 is a budget-friendly Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera that offers a premium metallic build and an interchangeable lens design similar to the higher-end E-P3, but at a lower price point. Its standout features include a fast autofocus system that rivals traditional DSLRs, a 12.3-megapixel Live MOS sensor delivering accurate color reproduction (particularly skin tones), and 1080i Full HD video recording capabilities. Additionally, the camera integrates a tilting screen which proves useful for shooting at difficult angles, and its ISO performance remains clean up to ISO 1,600, with acceptable noise management at ISO 3,200 when paired with reduction software. However, the camera has some notable drawbacks, most significantly the exclusion of an integrated flash; instead, it relies on an external flash accessory included in the box, which adds bulk for casual users. The 3-inch tilting display also suffers from a relatively low resolution of 460,000 dots, which falls short compared to competing models like the Sony NEX series. Furthermore, it lacks advanced features like a sweep panorama mode and is not ideal for fast-moving sports photography due...

The Les Numériques review covers the Olympus Pen E-PL3 and Olympus Pen E-PM1, highlighting that both cameras are built on the exact same core foundation. They share a 12-megapixel sensor, Full HD video recording, and almost identical technical specifications, but they target completely different audiences due to design tweaks. The Olympus Pen E-PL3 (Pen Lite) is a less exclusive, more affordable alternative to the flagship E-P3, featuring a tilting LCD screen and plenty of physical shortcut buttons for quick setting changes. In contrast, the Olympus Pen E-PM1 (Pen Mini) is a slightly smaller, streamlined device aimed at casual shooters who do not want to worry about advanced manual modes, hiding these settings deep inside the digital menus instead. The main pros of these cameras are their compact, portable bodies and the high-quality shared hardware that delivers matching performance across both models. The E-PL3 specifically shines with its articulated screen and dedicated physical controls like the mode dial, making it great for enthusiast photographers who want fast manual access. However, the cons involve notable physical compromises. Both models completely lose the...

The Olympus Pen E-PL3 (also known as the Pen Lite) is a highly capable hybrid mirrorless camera designed on a Micro 4/3 mount that packs the core technical performance of the more expensive Pen E-P3 into a more affordable, lightweight, and robustly built body. It features an impressive 12.3-megapixel Live MOS sensor that produces high-quality images with crisp definition, alongside a blistering autofocus system with 35 focus points that matches the speed of traditional DSLR cameras. Reviewers highly praise its physical ergonomics, noting its sleek, robust appearance and the inclusion of a highly functional 7.6 cm tilting TFT screen that dramatically improves shooting versatility from high or low angles. Furthermore, the camera finally transitions into Full HD video recording (1920 x 1080 at 30 fps) and boasts a built-in mechanical stabilization system to help deliver steady shots. Despite these strong features, the camera has some notable drawbacks, particularly regarding its overall design and video performance. While the review text ironically lists a "flash finally integrated" under its pros, it immediately contradicts this in both the summary and technical specifications by...

The Olympus PEN E-PL3 is a compact, lightweight Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera featuring a 12.3-megapixel Live MOS sensor and a 3-inch 16:9 tilting LCD, suitable for street photography. Key performance benefits include built-in sensor-shift stabilization and a quick 35-point autofocus system. However, the E-PL3 lacks a built-in viewfinder and flash, and its high-ISO noise reduction can destroy fine detail compared to newer models. Furthermore, it is not weather-sealed, has limited battery life, and lacks modern wireless connectivity.

The Olympus PEN E-PL3 is a compact, mirrorless digital camera featuring a 12.3-megapixel Four Thirds CMOS sensor and a brushed metal finish. Reviewers praise its design for being sleek, portable, and built with solid materials, alongside a dedicated physical mode dial that simplifies navigation. Key performance advantages include a fast autofocus mechanism, highly responsive processing in daylight, a reliable image stabilization system, and a snappy burst shooting mode capable of 4 frames per second. Furthermore, its 3-inch tilting LCD screen is highly useful for framing shots from difficult angles, and the camera provides excellent image quality with balanced colors and sharp details up to ISO 1600.

The Olympus Pen E-PL3 (Lite) represents a significant, rapid upgrade over its short-lived predecessor, the E-PL2, by introducing a vastly improved TruePic VI processor and a 12-megapixel High Speed Live MOS sensor. This hardware overhaul elevates the camera's performance capabilities, enabling full HD 1080i video recording at 60i/s in AVCHD format while maintaining the brand's popular artistic filters across all recording resolutions. Additionally, the camera boosts burst shooting speeds up to 5 frames per second and aggressively expands its autofocus system from 11 to 35 autofocus points, utilizing FAST technology to rival the quick responsiveness of competing models like the Panasonic GF3. On the hardware and design side, the camera introduces major ergonomic and physical changes that come with clear trade-offs. The primary advantages (Pros) include its high-definition video capabilities, an extended sensitivity range reaching up to ISO 12,800, a significantly faster autofocus response, and a practical 7.6 cm tilting LCD screen that articulates up and down for versatile shooting angles. However, the key disadvantages (Cons) feature a more cumbersome button layout reassigned above the tilting screen that forces two-handed...