Visit our Business Solutions website >>

Olympus PEN E-PL3

Olympus PEN E-PL3
alaScore 90

490 reviews

May, 2024

alaTest has collected and analyzed 490 reviews of Olympus PEN E-PL3. The average rating for this product is 4.3/5, compared to an average rating of 4.3/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras for all reviews. Reviewers are impressed by the price and image quality. The usability and portability are also appreciated. Some have doubts about the memory and viewfinder. Opinions are divided on the image stabilizer.

performance, portability, usability, image quality, price

viewfinder, memory

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Digital Compact Cameras the Olympus PEN E-PL3 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 90/100 = Excellent quality.

See all Olympus Digital Cameras

Review analysis

(Based on 490 reviews)

Expert Reviews  

User Reviews  

Features

Showing 207 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews

Disclaimer:

Below is a list of reviews for this or similar products. If you think this grouping is wrong please click here to flag.
Read more on our FAQ’s page.
Showing 1 - 111 of 207 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (270)

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Olympus PEN E-PL3

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 31 user reviews of Olympus PEN E-PL3 from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 4.6/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.3/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras on Amazon.co.uk. People are impressed by the price and lens. The performance and usability also get good feedback. Views are divided on the reliability. Many are less positive about the memory and durability.

portability, usability, performance, lens, price

durability, memory

100% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

May, 2024

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Olympus PEN E-PL3

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 70 user reviews of Olympus PEN E-PL3 from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 4.2/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.2/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras on Amazon.com. People really like the screen and size. The image quality and performance also get good views, whereas many are negative about the reliability. There are mixed opinions on the low light performance and battery.

portability, performance, image quality, size, screen

reliability

91% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

May, 2024

Expert review by (engadget.com)

Olympus PEN E-PL3 Micro Four Thirds camera review

 

Quality-wise, you're getting (largely) the same results as the more expensive E-P3, but in a lighter / cheaper package. The only problem? Sony's NEX-C3.

Aug, 2011

Expert review by : Lori Grunin (cnet.com)

Olympus PEN E-PL3 review: Olympus PEN E-PL3

 

Olympus PEN E-PL3

With a broad feature set aimed at enthusiasts, tilting LCD, nicely implemented filters, good performance, and excellent raw photo quality, plus a price that's less burdensome than the E-P3's, there's a lot to appreciate about the ; .

The PEN E-PL3's video disappoints, and the camera's lack of a grip may prove annoying for some shooters.

While it's not the best in any particular aspect, and you probably don't want to use it for video, the Olympus PEN E-PL3 offers an excellent balance of size, features, performance, and photo quality for the money.

Oct, 2011

Expert review by : Amadou Diallo with additional material by Richard (dpreview.com)

Olympus PEN E-PL3

 

The Olympus PEN Lite/E-PL3 is identical in terms of output to the recently reviewed Olympus E-P3. We have tested to verify image quality (and of course include these tests in the review). Where appropriate, you will find our comments and judgements...

Very good low ISO image quality and resolution ; Fast and responsive operation ; Fast, accurate autofocus ; Full HD AVCHD video ; Attractive styling and solid, metal construction ; A high number of external controls for its body size ; Tilt-screen LCD...

High ISO noise performance lagging behind competitors' newer sensors ; Overly aggressive default noise filter setting for JPEG output ; Digital IS for video capture can introduce unnatural-looking footage ; Size and positioning of control dial makes...

The Olympus E-PL3 offers ample external control points, a tilting LCD screen and fast AF performance along with high image quality in a small, stylish package. Although the complexity of the menu system may require an initial learning curve for new...

Sep, 2011

Expert review by : Jim Fisher (pcmag.com)

Olympus PEN E-PL3

 

The Olympus PEN E-PL3 delivers impressive performance when it comes to speed, but is held back by noisy images at higher ISO settings and a kit lens that delivers so-so sharpness at longer focal lengths.

Tilting 3-inch LCD. Fast autofocus system. In-camera artistic filters. Accessory port for optional EVF.

High noise at ISO 1600 and above. No built-in flash. Menu system is unintuitive and can be slow.

There’s an in-camera Art Filter mode, which allows you to choose one of six filters to apply to your images. Unlike other cameras that require you to apply these after you’ve shot an image, the results of the filter are shown in real time on the...

Aug, 2011

Expert review by : Michael Palmer (steves-digicams.com)

Olympus PEN E-PL3 (PEN Lite) Preview

 

Olympus announced three new additions to its PEN line of compact digital cameras, which is now in its 5th generation. Replacing last gen's E-PL2, we have the Olympus PEN E-PL3, the PEN compact system middle sibling camera. The idea for this model is...

Jun, 2011

Expert review by : Gavin Stoker (photographyblog.com)

Olympus E-PL3 Review

 

The Olympus E-PL3 (also known as the Olympus PEN Lite) is a brand new 12 megapixel compact system camera. With a stylish metal body, the EPL3 features the world's fastest auto-focus system, a high resolution and tiltable 3 inch LCD screen, 5fps burst...

While the E-PL2 was essentially a tarted-up E-PL1, with the E-P3 its manufacturer has gone the whole hog in terms of a makeover. However, in Olympus' bid to deliver a Digital Pen that is 'compact and cute', the E-PL3 is a bit of a curio, dropping...

Aug, 2011

Expert review by : Philip Ryan (popphoto.com)

Camera Test: Olympus Pen E-PL3 ILC

 

Olympus' latest ILC achieves midlevel greatness

Apr, 2012

Expert review by : sraynes (digitalcameraworld.com)

Preview: Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3

 

Olympus has succeeded in creating a mini-marvel with the PEN Lite E-PL3 compact system camera. It's beautifully engineered, stylish and puts in a blisteringly quick performance

Dec, 2011

Expert review by : Wong Casandra (hardwarezone.com)

Olympus PEN E-PL3 - The LITE Sibling

 

The Olympus PEN E-PL3 is a good alternative for those who prefer a smaller and more handy version of the E-P3. Under the hood, it shares the same 12-megapixel sensor and dual-core TruePic VI processing engine as its more expensive sibling. We show you...

Sleek and slim design ; Fast and accurate AF system ; Vivid color production ; Tiltable LCD screen

Image noise starts to show above ISO800 ; No built-in flash (but add-on is provided) ; No hand grip

The Olympus E-PL3 is an affordable option that appeals to the camera enthusiasts looking to transit from compacts. It offers the same level of performance as its higher-end sibling, the E-P3, but in a smaller body that comes with a tilting LCD screen....

Nov, 2011

Expert review by : Camera Labs (cameralabs.com)

Olympus E-PL3

 

The Olympus Pen E-PL3 is a 12.3 megapixel mirrorless ILC based on the Micro Four Thirds standard. The middle of the range Pen, it combines a high degree of control and customisation with ease of use features in a compact and sylish body that features...

Built-in stabilisation works with any lens., Excellent all-round image quality., Highly customisable., Good range of movie exposure modes., Fast startup and AF response

16:9 screen not ideal for still photos., Poorly positioned control wheel., Lacks composite HDR and low light mode

Nov, 2011

Price comparison for Olympus PEN E-PL3

No prices for this product

Top 5 Digital Cameras