Pentax K-3 vs Olympus E-PL7

Cameras
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Pentax K-3 vs Olympus E-PL7

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-3 Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax K-3 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the K-3.
Compare Pentax K-3 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Pentax K-3 conclusion.

4/3 224.9mm²
16.1 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-PL7 Review.
How does it shoot? Olympus E-PL7 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the E-PL7.
Compare Olympus E-PL7 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Olympus E-PL7 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-3 II
Compare K-3 vs K-3 II

Succeeded by the Olympus E-PL8
Compare E-PL7 vs E-PL8

Compare PENTAX K-3 II vs OLYMPUS E-PL8

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Differences

Pentax K-3 advantages over Olympus E-PL7

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
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
K-3 test data on DxO Mark E-PL7 test data on DxO Mark

1,216 vs 873 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

560 vs 350 shots
Capture more photos
More telephoto lens reach
203 mm vs 84 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
More pixels
24.4 vs 16.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs Fixed
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Bigger JPEG buffer
75 vs 24 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
24 vs 17 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus E-PL7 advantages over Pentax K-3

Less expensive
$600 vs $1150 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Fast startup
~0.50 vs 0.9 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Thinner
38 mm vs 77 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
469g vs 1240g
Lighter weight
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
8.7 fps vs 7.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
8.7 fps vs 7.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
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

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
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
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-3 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read E-PL7 User Reviews

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Buy the Pentax K-3

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm Lens

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Buy the Olympus E-PL7

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 14-42mm Lens

All E-PL7 Deals

Review Excerpt

Top-notch image quality; Great ergonomics in a compact body; Unique on-demand low-pass filtering; Broad sensitivity range; Large and bright viewfinder for an APS-C camera; Dual card slots; Optional Wi-Fi remote control
AE Lock button is poorly located; Below-average battery life for a DSLR; Rather dated-looking menu system; Requires a different battery grip accessory than its predecessors; Less third-party support than some rivals
Read our Pentax K-3 Review

Excellent image quality for its class including very good ISO performance; Improved performance and ergonomics over the E-PL5; LCD tilts 180 degree downward for easier selfies; Upgraded 3-axis IS system.
No built-in flash (but a small add-on flash is included); No built-in EVF; Default colors somewhat muted; Somewhat quirky menu system.
Read our Olympus E-PL7 Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-PL5

Pentax K-3

Olympus E-PL5

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$329
4/3

Less expensive
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Olympus E-PL5

Olympus E-PL7

Olympus E-PL5

$399
4/3

Focus peaking
Fast startup

$329
4/3

Compare Olympus E-PL7 vs Olympus E-PL5

Compared to Nikon D7100

Pentax K-3

Nikon D7100

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$695
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7100

Olympus E-PL7

Nikon D7100

$399
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$695
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PL7 vs Nikon D7100

Compared to Panasonic GF6

Pentax K-3

Panasonic GF6

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$400
4/3

Less expensive
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Panasonic GF6

Olympus E-PL7

Panasonic GF6

$399
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$400
4/3

In-camera panoramas
NFC

Compare Olympus E-PL7 vs Panasonic GF6

Compared to Nikon D5300

Pentax K-3

Nikon D5300

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D5300

Olympus E-PL7

Nikon D5300

$399
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$549
APS-C

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Olympus E-PL7 vs Nikon D5300

Compared to Nikon D7200

Pentax K-3

Nikon D7200

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1043
APS-C

Fast startup
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7200

Olympus E-PL7

Nikon D7200

$399
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1043
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PL7 vs Nikon D7200

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