• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  •  
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

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Differences

Olympus E-PL3 advantages over Samsung NX200

  • Less expensive
    $700 vs $900 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • 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
  • Fast startup
    ~2.10 vs 3.6 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Less shutter lag
    0.24 vs 0.36 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Samsung NX200 advantages over Olympus E-PL3

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Higher effective ISO
    618 vs 499 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    12.6 vs 10.2 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    20.3 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.6 fps vs 5.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

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
  • 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
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Review Excerpt

  • Sleek, more professional camera design; faster autofocus system and burst modes; solid performance at high ISOs despite the bump up in megapixels.

  • Significantly more expensive than previous model; slow buffer clearing with RAW images; with kit lens attached, camera becomes less portable.

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-C3

Olympus E-PL3
Sony NEX-C3
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
Samsung NX200
Sony NEX-C3
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • More pixels
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compared to Olympus E-P3

Olympus E-PL3
Olympus E-P3
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Internal flash
Samsung NX200
Olympus E-P3
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Olympus E-PM1

Olympus E-PL3
Olympus E-PM1
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
Samsung NX200
Olympus E-PM1
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection

Compared to 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
Samsung NX200
Sony NEX-5N
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • More pixels
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compared to Panasonic GF5

Olympus E-PL3
Panasonic GF5
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup
Samsung NX200
Panasonic GF5
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Hot shoe
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen
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