Olympus PEN E-PL3

Last updated

Olympus Pen E-PL3
Olympus PEN E-PL3.jpg
A black Olympus PEN E-PL3 with the standard flash attachment and 14-42mm lens fitted
Overview
TypeMicro Four Thirds, interchangeable lens camera
Lens
Lens Micro Four Thirds System mount
Sensor/medium
Sensor Four Thirds System 17.30 × 13.00 mm Live MOS
Maximum resolution 4032×3024 (12.3 megapixels)
Film speed ISO 200–12800
Storage media Secure Digital card; SDHC; SDXC
Focusing
Focus modesSingle, continuous, manual
Focus areas35 area contrast detect auto-focus, selectable
Exposure/metering
Exposure modesProgram, shutter-priority, aperture-priority, manual
Exposure metering Digital ESP metering, Centre weighted average metering, Spot metering
Metering modes TTL ESP multi patterned (324-area multi pattern metering), Center-weighted average, Spot (1%)
Flash
Flash No built-in flash, but has Clip-on flash included, TTL, GN 10m equivalent (ISO200 · m); hotshoe for external flash attachment
Shutter
Shutter 1/4,000 to 60 s, up to 30 minutes bulb
Continuous shooting 4.1 frames/s (5.5 frames/s in case of "I.S. OFF"
Viewfinder
Viewfinder live preview, optional electronic viewfinder VF-2; optional electronic viewfinder VF-3; optional optical viewfinder VF-1
General
LCD screen3" 460,000 pixel TFT LCD on screen with live preview
BatteryOlympus BLS-5 Lithium-ion battery
Dimensions 109.5 × 63.7 × 37.3 mm (4.31" × 2.51" × 1.47")
Weight 265 g (9.3 oz) (body only) 313 g (11.0 oz) (body, battery and SD memory card)

The Olympus PEN E-PL3 announced on 30 June 2011 [1] is Olympus Corporation's seventh camera that adheres to the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) system design standard. The E-PL3 succeeds the Olympus PEN E-PL2, and was announced in concert with two other models, the Olympus PEN E-P3 (the flagship version), and the Olympus PEN E-PM1 (a new "Mini" version of the PEN camera line with similar features to the E-PL3). The E-PL3 is commonly said to be the "Lite" (less full featured) version of the E-P3, much as the E-PL1 and E-PL2 were "Lite" versions of the E-P1 and E-P2, respectively.

Contents

Technology

The E-PL3 addresses some of the concerns that critics had about previous PEN models: slow handling, due to slow autofocus speed and difficulty seeing the LCD panel under certain (e.g., bright, sunny) conditions.

The E-PL3 increases autofocus speed through use of a 120 Hz refresh rate for its sensor, similar to the technology used in the recently released Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 and G3 cameras. Olympus claims, based on in-house testing, that the E-PL3, along with its E-PM1 cousin, have similar characteristics to the flagship E-P3, which according to Olympus has the world's fastest autofocus speed of any camera as of the product announcement date. [2] The benefits of the 120 Hz refresh rate also provides the ability for continuous autofocus tracking during bursts of exposures, a faster shutter response (less lag) and less blackout time between exposures.

The E-PL3 lacks the E-P3 capacitive touchscreen for creative camera control, and the E-P3 OLED type display that is supposed to vastly improve performance in sunny conditions, and off-angle viewing. Instead, the E-PL3 has a tiltable LCD, which allows easy above the head, waist level, or low off the ground viewing. The E-PL3 continues with the proprietary Accessory Port, a power and communication port, which allows the use of various accessories, such as an external stereo microphone for HD video recording, LED macro lights, and a bluetooth communications adapter. The accessory port continues to be compatible with the high resolution, optional hotshoe mounted VF-2 electronic viewfinder (EVF).

The VF-2 had a flip angle eyepiece, allowing viewing from 0–90 degrees. The VF-2 had been criticized for being very expensive and for not having a locking device, with some users reporting easy dislodgement of the VF-2 from the hotshoe. To address these criticisms, in July 2011, Olympus announced the introduction of an optional VF-3 EVF, which has a lower resolution and a locking device.[ citation needed ]

Differences over Olympus PEN E-P1

Specifications not in the infobox

See also

Micro Four Thirds Camera introduction roadmap

ItemModelSensorElectronic View Finder (EVF)Announced
1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 4:3 / 13.1 mp (12.1 mp effective)EVF; 1.4x magnification; 1.44M dots2008, October [4]
2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 4:3; 3:2; 16:9 (multi-aspect); 14.0 mp (12.1 mp effect)EVF; 1.4x mag; 1.44M dots2009, April [5]
3 Olympus PEN E-P1 4:3 / 13.1 mp (12.3 mp effect)optional hotshoe optical VF-1; 65-degree AOV 2009, July [6]
4 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 4:3 / 13.1 mp (12.1 mp effect)opt hotshoe EVF LVF1; 1.04x mag; 202K dots2009, September [7]
5 Olympus PEN E-P2 4:3 / 13.1 mp (12.3 mp effect)opt hotshoe EVF VF-2; 1.15x mag; 1.44M dots2009, November [8]
6 Olympus PEN E-PL1 4:3 / 13.1 mp (12.3 mp effect)opt hotshoe EVF VF-2; 1.15x mag; 1.44M dots2010, February [9]
7 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G10 4:3 / 13.1 mp (12.1 mp effect)EVF; 1.04x magnification; 202K dots2010, March [10]
8 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 4:3 / 13.1 mp (12.1 mp effect)EVF; 1.4x mag; 1.44M dots2010, March [11]
9 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 4:3; 3:2; 16:9 (multi-aspect); 18.3 mp (16.0 mp effect)EVF; 1.42x mag; 1.53M dots2010, September [12]
10 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 4:3 / 13.1 mp (12.1 mp effect)opt hotshoe EVF; 1.04x mag; 202K dots2010, November [13]
11 Olympus PEN E-PL1s 4:3 / 13.1 mp (12.3 mp effect)opt hotshoe EVF VF-2; 1.15x mag; 1.44M dots2010, November [14]
12 Olympus PEN E-PL2 4:3 / 13.1 mp (12.3 mp effect)opt hotshoe EVF VF-2; 1.15x mag; 1.44M dots2011, January [15]
13 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 4:3 / 16.6 mp (15.8 mp effect)EVF; 1.4x mag; 1.44M dots2011, May [16]
14 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 4:3 / 13.1 mp (12.1 mp effect)N/A2011, June [17]
15 Olympus PEN E-P3 4:3 / 13.1 mp (12.3 mp effect)opt hotshoe EVF VF-2; 1.15x mag; 1.44M dots2011, June [18]
16Olympus PEN E-PL34:3 / 13.1 mp (12.3 mp effect)opt hotshoe EVF VF-2; 1.15x mag; 1.44M dots2011, June [19]
17 Olympus PEN E-PM1 4:3 / 13.1 mp (12.3 mp effect)opt hotshoe EVF VF-2; 1.15x mag; 1.44M dots2011, June [20]
18 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 4:3 / 16.6 mp (16.0 mp effect)opt hotshoe EVF LVF2; 1.4x mag; 1.44M dots2011, November [21]
19 Olympus OM-D E-M5 4:3 / 16.9 mp (16.1 mp effect) [22] EVF; 1.15x mag; 1.44M dots2012, February [23]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lumix</span> Brand of digital cameras made by Panasonic

Lumix is Panasonic's brand of digital cameras, ranging from pocket point-and-shoot models to digital SLRs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1</span>

The Lumix DMC-L1 is Panasonic's first DSLR camera, and was announced in February 2006. This camera adheres to the Four Thirds System lens mount standard, making it the first non-Olympus Four Thirds camera, and thus confirming that the Four Thirds System is a semi-open standard such that compatible camera bodies can be built by different companies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Micro Four Thirds system</span> Digital camera design standard

The Micro Four Thirds system is a standard released by Olympus and Panasonic in 2008, for the design and development of mirrorless interchangeable lens digital cameras, camcorders and lenses. Camera bodies are available from Blackmagic, DJI, JVC, Kodak, Olympus, Panasonic, Sharp, and Xiaomi. MFT lenses are produced by Cosina Voigtländer, DJI, Kowa, Kodak, Mitakon, Olympus, Panasonic, Samyang, Sharp, Sigma, SLR Magic, Tamron, Tokina, TTArtisan, Veydra, Xiaomi, Laowa, Yongnuo, Zonlai, Lensbaby, Kowa, Venus Optics and 7artisans amongst others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1</span>

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 was the first digital mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera (MILC) adhering to the Micro Four Thirds system design standard. The G1 camera is similar to the larger Four Thirds system format DSLR cameras, but replaces the complex optical path needed for the optical viewfinder with an electronic viewfinder EVF displaying a live view image directly from the sensor. Eliminating the mirror box and optical viewfinder allows for smaller and lighter camera bodies, while the less complex optical path also allows for smaller, lighter lens designs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1</span>

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 is a digital mirrorless interchangeable lens camera adhering to the Olympus and Panasonic developed Micro Four Thirds System (MFT) system design standard. Panasonic classified the GH1 as a hybrid stills/video camera and the GH1 was introduced and marketed as a higher end camera than Panasonic's first MFT camera, the stills only, non-video capable Lumix DMC-G1.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olympus PEN E-P1</span>

The Olympus Pen E-P1 announced on 16 June 2009 is Olympus Corporation's first camera that adheres to the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) system design standard. The first camera to use the Micro Four Thirds mount was Panasonic's G-1 camera.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1</span>

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 was introduced in September 2009 as the third camera in Panasonic's Lumix G-series, using the Micro Four Thirds system. It was the first model in the "GF" line, which is primarily distinguished from the other Lumix G cameras by the lack of an integrated electronic viewfinder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olympus PEN E-P2</span>

The Olympus Pen E-P2 announced on 5 November 2009 is Olympus Corporation's second camera that adheres to the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) system design standard. The E-P2 succeeds the Olympus Pen E-P1 a little over five months after the introduction of the EP-1.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mirrorless camera</span> Compact camera with a user-removable and replaceable lens

A mirrorless camera is a photo camera featuring a single, removable lens and a digital display. The camera does not have a reflex mirror or optical viewfinder like a digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera, but may have an electronic viewfinder. Many mirrorless cameras retain a mechanical shutter. Like a DSLR, a mirrorless camera accepts any of a series of interchangeable lenses compatible with its lens mount.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5</span>

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5, or LX5, is a high-end compact "point and shoot" camera launched by Panasonic in 2010 to succeed the LX3.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olympus PEN E-PL2</span>

The Olympus PEN E-PL2, was announced in early January 2011 at the CES. This is Olympus Corporation's fourth camera that uses the Micro Four Thirds mount after the Olympus PEN E-P1, Olympus PEN E-P2 and Olympus PEN E-PL1. At the time it was announced, it had a US dollar MSRP of $599.99. As with earlier PEN models, the E-PL2 is aimed in between the point-and-shoot and D-SLR markets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2</span>

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 is the sixth camera in Panasonic's Lumix G-series, using the Micro Four Thirds System.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2</span>

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 is a digital camera with HD video recording capability that is part of the Micro Four Thirds system. Though commonly referred to as a DSLR camera, it has no mirror or optical viewfinder, but has instead both a fold-out LCD screen and a electronic viewfinder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3</span>

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 is a digital mirrorless interchangeable lens camera adhering to the joint Olympus and Panasonic Micro Four Thirds System (MFT) system design standard. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 is the eighth Panasonic MFT camera introduced under the standard and the thirteenth model MFT camera introduced by either Olympus or Panasonic, as of the G3 product announcement date.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2</span> Digital camera model

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 is a digital mirrorless interchangeable lens camera adhering to the Olympus and Panasonic developed Micro Four Thirds System (MFT) system design standard. It was announced in March 2010 along with a lesser featured Panasonic Lumix DMC-G10.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G10 is the sixth digital mirrorless interchangeable lens camera introduced that adheres to the Micro Four Thirds System (MFT) system design standard, and the fourth Panasonic model MFT camera. The G10 model was announced concurrently with its more capable sibling, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2, in March 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olympus PEN E-P3</span> Digital camera model

The Olympus PEN E-P3 announced on 30 June 2011 is Olympus Corporation's seventh camera that adheres to the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) system design standard. The E-P3 succeeds the Olympus PEN E-P2, and was announced in concert with two other models, the Olympus PEN E-PL3, and the Olympus PEN E-PM1.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3</span>

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 is the eighth camera in Panasonic's Lumix G-series adhering to the Micro Four Thirds System (MFT) design standard, and was announced in June 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olympus PEN E-PL5</span>

The Olympus PEN E-PL5, announced on September 17, 2012 is Olympus Corporation's tenth camera that adheres to the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) system design standard. The E-PL5 succeeds the Olympus PEN E-PL3, and was announced in concert with one other model, the Olympus PEN E-PM2.

References

  1. "Olympus PEN E-P3 announced and previewed: Digital Photography Review". Dpreview.com. 30 June 2011. Retrieved 14 October 2011.
  2. "OLYMPUS | News Release: "OLYMPUS PEN E-P3" New generation System Camera". Olympus-global.com. Retrieved 14 October 2011.
  3. Olympus Imaging India Private Limited. "E-PL3 Specs". olympus-imaging.co.in. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  4. "Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1: World's Smallest and Lightest Digital Interchangeable Lens Camera*" (Press release). Archived from the original on 28 July 2011. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
  5. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 9 April 2012. Retrieved 14 October 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. "Olympus E-P1 'digital Pen' - in depth preview + samples".
  7. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 9 April 2012. Retrieved 14 October 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. "Olympus launches E-P2 Micro Four Thirds camera".
  9. "Olympus unveils the affordable Pen". Digital Photography Review. 3 February 2010. Retrieved 3 February 2010.
  10. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 21 May 2012. Retrieved 14 October 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  11. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 21 May 2012. Retrieved 14 October 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  12. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 9 April 2012. Retrieved 14 October 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  13. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 17 August 2012. Retrieved 14 October 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  14. "OLYMPUS PEN Lite E-PL1s|デジタル一眼カメラ|オリンパスイメージング".
  15. "Olympus E-PL2 announced and previewed".
  16. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 8 May 2012. Retrieved 14 October 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  17. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 8 May 2012. Retrieved 14 October 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  18. "OLYMPUS | News Release: World's fastest AF*, Flagship of PEN series "OLYMPUS PEN E-P3"".
  19. "OLYMPUS | News Release: High functionality and high performance into a small body, "OLYMPUS PEN Lite E-PL3"".
  20. "OLYMPUS | News Release: First model of the New Line of "PEN mini" Series "OLYMPUS PEN mini E-PM1"".
  21. "DMC-GX1 | PRODUCTS | LUMIX | Digital Camera | Panasonic Global". Archived from the original on 19 May 2012. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
  22. "Olympus announces OM-D E-M5 weather-sealed Micro Four Thirds camera".
  23. "OLYMPUS | News Release: The OLYMPUS OM-D, a new generation system camera compliant with the Micro Four Thirds System standard".

Commons-logo.svg Media related to Olympus E-PL3 at Wikimedia Commons

Preceded by Olympus PEN E-PL3 Micro Four Thirds System Camera
Autumn 2011–present
Succeeded by