Olympus E-PL3 vs Canon SX260 HS Specifications

4/3 224.9mm²
12.3 megapixels

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

1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
12.1 megapixels
25.00mm - 500.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon SX260 HS Review.
See real-world photos taken with the SX260 HS.

Detailed specifications
Olympus PEN E-PL3
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS

Links
Prices:		Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL:	Manufacturer website	Manufacturer website
Predecessor:		Canon SX230 HS SX230 HS vs SX260 HS
Successor:		Canon SX280 HS SX260 HS vs SX280 HS
General
Model Number:	E-PL3	SX260 HS
Alternate Model Number(s):
Camera Format:	Compact System Camera	Compact
Currently Manufactured:	No	No
Retail Price:	$699.99	$349.99
Street Price:		$479.99
Date Available:	2011-09-15	2012-03-15
Tripod Mount:	Yes	Yes
Weight:	15.1 oz (428 g) includes batteries, kit lens	8.1 oz (231 g) includes batteries
Size:	4.3 x 2.5 x 1.5 in. (110 x 64 x 37 mm)	4.2 x 2.4 x 1.3 in. (106 x 61 x 33 mm)
Waterproof:	No	No
Waterproof Depth:	n/a	n/a

Image Sensor
Sensor Type:	Live MOS	CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:	Panasonic
Effective Megapixels:	12.3	12.1
Sensor Format:	4/3	1/2.3 inch
Sensor size:	224.9mm² (17.30mm x 13.00mm)	28.0735mm² (6.17mm x 4.55mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch:	4.29 microns	1.54 microns
Focal Length Multiplier:	2.0x	n/a
Aspect Ratio:	4:3	4:3
Color Filter Type:	RGBG	RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:	Fixed
Self-Cleaning:	Yes	No
Sensor shift image stabilization:	Yes	No
On-Sensor Phase Detect:	No	No
DxO Sensor Score:	52
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):	20.9
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):	10.3
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):	499
Image Capture
Image Resolution:	4032 x 3024 (12.2 MP, 4:3), 3200 x 2400 (7.7 MP, 4:3), 2560 x 1920 (4.9 MP, 4:3), 1920 x 1440 (2.8 MP, 4:3), 1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3), 1280 x 960 (1.2 MP, 4:3), 1024 x 768 (0.8 MP, 4:3), 640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3)	4000 x 3000 (12.0 MP, 4:3), 4000 x 2248 (9.0 MP, 16:9), 4000 x 2664 (10.7 MP, 3:2), 2992 x 2992 (9.0 MP, 1:1), 2816 x 2112 (5.9 MP, 4:3), 2816 x 1584 (4.5 MP, 16:9), 2816 x 1880 (5.3 MP, 3:2), 2112 x 2112 (4.5 MP, 1:1), 1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3), 1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9), 1600 x 1064 (1.7 MP, 3:2), 1200 x 1200 (1.4 MP, 1:1), 640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3), 640 x 360 (0.2 MP, 16:9), 640 x 424 (0.3 MP, Other), 480 x 480 (0.2 MP, 1:1)
Image File Format:	JPEG (EXIF 2.2), MPO (3D), 12-bit RAW (.ORF)	JPEG (EXIF 2.3)
Continuous-mode frames/second:	5.3	10.3
Video Capture
Can take movies:	Yes	Yes
Movie Resolution:	1920x1080 (60i (20Mbps/17Mbps)) 1280x720 (60p (17Mbps/13Mbps)) 1280x720 (30p) 640x480 (30p)	1920x1080 (24p) 1280x720 (30p) 640x480 (30p/120p) 320x240 (240p)
Movie File Format:	AVCHD, Motion JPEG	MOV (Image: H.264; Stereo Audio: Linear PCM)
Composite Video Out:	Yes	Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video:	Yes	Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder:
HD Video Out:	Yes	Yes
HD Video Connection:	HDMI	HDMI

Lens & Optics
Lens Mount:	Micro Four Thirds	n/a
Lens:	Olympus 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II R MSC M.Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens	Canon Zoom Lens
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):	28 - 84mm	25 - 500mm
Focal Length (actual):	14 - 42mm	4.5 - 90mm
Zoom Ratio:	3.00x	20.00x
Aperture Range:	f/3.5 (wide) / f/5.6 (tele) - f/22	f/3.5 (wide) / f/6.8 (tele) - f/8.0
Integrated ND Filter:	No	No
Normal Focus Range:	25 cm to Infinity 9.8 in to Infinity	5 cm to Infinity 2.0 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:		5 - 50 cm 2.0 - 19.7 in
Filter Thread:	37.0mm	n/a
Thread Type:	n/a	n/a
Optical Image Stabilization:	No	Yes
Digital Zoom:	Yes	Yes
Digital Zoom Values:	2x	Up to 4x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus:	Yes	Yes
Auto Focus Type:	Contrast Detect: High-speed, 35-point with Face Detection and Tracking. Auto from all 35 area, Single area from 35 area, Group Target area (9 area) from 35 area, Up to 8 Faces Detected	Contrast Detect with Face Detection; Face Detection, 1-point AF (fixed to center)
Auto Focus Assist Light?	Yes	Yes
Manual Focus:	Yes	Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder:	LCD	No / LCD
Viewfinder Type:	Optional EVF mounted in flash hotshoe
Focus Peaking:	No	No
EVF Resolution:	n/a	n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder:	No	No
Rear Display:	Yes	Yes
Rear Display Size (inches):	3.0	3.0
Rear Display Resolution:	460,000 dots (153,000 px)	461,000 dots
Touchscreen:	No	No
Articulating Screen:	Yes	No
Tilt Swivel Screen:		No
Selfie Screen:		No
Max Playback Zoom:	14.0x	10.0x
Top Deck Display:	No

Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):
Minimum ISO (native):
ISO Settings:	Auto (customizable range), 200 - 12800 (1/3, 1 EV steps)	Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200; up to ISO 6400 in Low Light mode at 3MP resolution
Auto ISO Mode:	Yes	Yes
White Balance Settings:	Auto, Lamp, Fluorescent, Daylight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade, Underwater, Custom WB, One-touch WB	Auto, Day Light, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Underwater, Custom
Shutter Speed Range:	1/4000 - 60 sec	1/3200 - 15 sec
Bulb Mode:	Yes	No
Exposure Compensation:	+/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps	+/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes:	324-zone Digital ESP, Center Weighted Average, Spot (~1%, with Highlight/Shadow modes)	Evaluative, Center-weighted, Spot (center), Face Detect AE
Program Auto Exposure:	Yes	Yes
Aperture Priority:	Yes	Yes
Shutter Priority:	Yes	Yes
Full Manual Exposure:	Yes	Yes
Creative Exposure Modes:	Portrait, e-Portrait, Landscape, Landscape + Portrait, Macro, Sport, Night Scene, Night + Portrait, Children, High Key, Low Key, DIS mode, Nature Macro, Candle, Sunset, Document, Panorama, Fireworks, Beach & Snow, Fisheye Conv, Wide Conv, Macro Conv, 3D, Underwater wide, Underwater macro; Art Filters (Pop Art, Soft Focus, Grainy Film, Pin Hole, Diorama, Dramatic Tone)	SCN: Portrait, Smooth Skin, Smart Shutter, High-speed Burst HQ, Handheld Night Scene, Low Light, Underwater, Snow, Fireworks, Stitch Assist; Creative Filters: Fisheye Effect, Miniature Effect, Toy Camera Effect, Monochrome, Soft Focus, Super Vivid, Poster Effect, Color Accent, Color Swap
Self Timer:	2 or 12 seconds	2, 10, Custom seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):
High Resolution Composite:	No	No
Flash
Built-in Flash:	No	Yes
Flash Modes:	Auto, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction slow sync., Slow sync at 1st curtain, Slow sync at 2nd curtain, Fill-in, Manual (Full, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, 1/64), Off. Wireless flash control supported.	Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100):	7.0 m / 23.0 ft.	n/a
Flash Range Description:	Bundled external flash has GN of 7m (ISO 100) or 10m (ISO 200)	Auto ISO: 50cm - 3.5m (W), (1.0 - 2.0m (T)
Max Flash Sync:	1/160
Flash Exposure Compensation:	+/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection:	Hot shoe	n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types:	SD / SDHC / SDXC	SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:
Other Memory:
Dual Card Slots:	No	No
RAW Capture Support:	Yes	No
Uncompressed Format:	12-bit RAW (.ORF)
Movie File Format:	AVCHD, Motion JPEG	MOV (Image: H.264; Stereo Audio: Linear PCM)
Included Memory:	No memory included	No memory included
Included Memory Type:
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi:	No	No
NFC:	No	No
Bluetooth:	No	No
Built-In GPS:	No	Yes
Microphone Jack:	No	No
Headphone Jack:	No	No
External Connections:	USB 2.0 High Speed	USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant:	Yes	Yes
DPOF Compliant:	Yes	Yes
Remote Control:	Yes
Remote Control Type:	Optional RM-UC1 wired remote
Connections (extended):	Accessory Port 2, Multi Connector (USB/AV/Remote), Mini HDMI (Type C)	Mini HDMI

Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution):	0.57	2.08
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):	0.56
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):	8
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):
Camera penalizes early shutter press?	No	No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution):	5.3	10.3
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution):	9	10
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid):	0.24 seconds	0.52 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):		0.43 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):
Shutter Lag (manual focus):	0.113 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):	0.43 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused):	0.073 seconds	0.079 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):
Startup Time:	2.1 seconds	2.0 seconds
Play -> Record Time:	0.6 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:	4.9 seconds	3.5 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):	300 shots	230 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):
Battery Life, Video:
Battery Form Factor:	Proprietary BLS-1 or BLS-5	Proprietary NB-6
Usable Battery Types:	Lithium-ion rechargeable	Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included:	Proprietary BLS-1 Lithium-ion rechargeable	1 x Proprietary NB-6 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter):	Yes	Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software:	OLYMPUS Viewer 2/[ib] CD-ROM	Canon software suite
OS Compatibility:		Windows, Mac OS
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features:	Sensor-shift Image Stabilization, 3-inch 460k-dot Tilting LCD, TruePic VI Image Processor, "FAST" AF System, Burst mode up to 5.5fps, Full HD movies, 6 Art Filters. External FL-LM1 flash bundled. Available in Black, White, Silver and Red.	Optical Image Stabilization, DIGIC 5, 1080p Full HD Movies with stereo audio and optical zoom, Smart Auto, Face ID, GPS logger and tracker. Available in black, green or red.