| Category: | Type: | Image Sensor | : | |
| EVF | : | |||
| Image Stabilization | : | |||
| Display | : | |||
| Shooting Mode | : | |||
| Shutter Speed | : | |||
| Burst | : | |||
| Movie | : | |||
| Price check… | : |
Lite. The Olympus PEN Lite, also known as the E-PL3, is one of three PEN mirrorless DSLRs that Olympus announced together in June 2011. All three have the same image sensor and basically the same features: 12.3MP resolution (on a 17.3x13mm Live MOS Image Sensor), Sensor-shift image stabilization, TruePic™ VI Image Processor, high ISO of 12,800, fast AF, Full 1080i HD video with Dolby Digital sound recording, newly designed user interfaces and a variety of Art Filters and built-in creative features. The PEN Lite (E-PL3) stands in the middle between the E-P3 and the PEN Mini (E-PM1) and differs from them mainly by having a titltable LCD screen.
The E-PL3 has the Micro Four Thirds (mFT) mount and therefore accepts all mFT lenses, as well as Four Thirds (FT) lenses, OM lenses, some Leica lenses and lenses from other brands with the appropriate adapter. A Dust Reduction System ensures any dust that may have entered the camera when changing lenses are removed from the sensor.
A direct HD Movie button gives instant access to Full HD movie 1920×1080 pixels with Dolby stereo sound. The popular in-camera Art Filters apply to both still shots and video.
Exposure flexibility is available to more advanced photographers: Program AE (P), Aperture-Priority (A), Shutter-Priority (S) and full Manual (M) mode are all accessible directly on the Mode Dial. Advanced photographers will also appreciate available manual control over aperture and shutter speed while filming. The E-PL3 does not have a built-in pop-up flash but external flash FL-LM1 is included. This flash is compact, slides into the hotshoe. The E-PL3 also accepts a range of optional external flashes, with wireless flash control using the FL-36R and FL-50R speedlights. The use of off-camera flashes [as fill-in light] and synchronization in Super FP mode at a fast 1/125-1/4000 shutter speed allow the use of a large aperture in daylight [to obtain beautiful blurred backgrounds in portraits].
The E-PL3 includes a port for the detachable high resolution (1440k-dot) VF-2 live-finder which rotates up 90 degrees — useful when shooting subjects from challenging angles. The external accessory port also allows for connection with the SEMA-1 external microphone adapter for enhanced audio capture. For those into underwater photography, the new optional PT-EP05L underwater housing is waterproof to a depth of 45 meters (147 feet).
The Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3 is principally targeted to those wanting to learn photography without the encumbrance of a traditional DSLR. However, if you compare the differences between the E-PL3 and its bigger brother E-P3, you’ll notice that the main differences are not deal-breakers. In fact, I suspect that many advanced photographers will be tempted by its more compact form and its tiltable LCD. The E-PL3 comes in Black, Red, Silver and White (colors are country-dependent), and is priced at about US $700 (CAD $700) with the 14-42mm kit lens.
| Category |
Serious, Advanced
|
Beginner, Serious
|
Point-and-Shoot, Beginner
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Display |
3.0-in. (614k-dot) OLED, Touch
|
3.0-in. (460k-dot) LCD, Tiltable
|
3.0-in. (460k-dot) LCD
|
| Burst |
3fps
|
4.1fps / 5.5fps (IS Off)
|
4.1fps / 5.5fps (IS Off)
|
| Built-in Flash |
Yes
|
External included
|
External included
|
| Rear Thumbwheel |
Yes
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
| Fn2 Button |
Yes
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
| Electronic Level Gauge |
Yes
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
| Mode Dial |
Yes
|
Yes
|
n/a
|
| Handgrip |
Interchangeable
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
| Art Filters |
Pop Art, Soft Focus, Pale & Color, Light Tone, Grainy Film, Pin Hole, Diorama, Gentle Sepia, Cross Process, Dramatic Tone
|
Pop Art, Soft Focus, Grainy Film, Pin Hole, Diorama, Dramatic Tone
|
Pop Art, Soft Focus, Grainy Film, Pin Hole, Diorama, Dramatic Tone
|
| Colors |
Black, Silver, White
|
Black, Silver, White, Red
|
Black, Silver, White, Brown, Purple, Pink
|
| Dimensions (excluding protrusions) |
122 x 69.1 x 34.3 mm / 4.8 x 2.72 x 1.35 in.
|
109.5 x 63.7 x 37.3 mm / 4.31 x 2.50 x 1.46 in.
|
109.5 x 63.5 x 33.8 mm / 4.31 x 2.50 x 1.33 in.
|
| Weight (body only) |
321g / 11.32 o
|
313g / 9.34 oz
|
217g / 7.65 oz
|
| Price |
$899.99
|
$699.99
|
$TBD
|
| Olympus E-PL3 |
QuickFact™ Sheet
|
 US | CA | UK |
|
| Image Sensor | 12.3 Megapixels, Live MOS Sensor, 17.3 x 13.0mm |
| Lens Mount | Micro Four Thirds Mount |
| Image Stabilization | Sensor-shift |
| File Format | RAW (12-bit lossless compression), JPEG, RAW+JPEG |
| Media | SD Memory Card (SDHC, SDXC, UHS-I compatible), Eye-Fi, Class 6 is recommended for Movie shooting |
| Viewfinder | Optional (VF-1 Optical, VF-2 EVF) |
| Shutter Speed | 1/4000 – 60 sec., Bulb (up to 30 min) |
| Continuous Shooting | Approx. 4.1 fps / 5.5fps if IS turned OFF |
| Exposure Modes | iAuto, PASM, Scene Modes, Art Filter |
| Exposure Metering | Digital ESP, Center weighted average, Spot |
| ISO sensitivity |
AUTO: ISO 200 – 12800 (customizable, Default 200-1600) |
| Dust Reduction System | Supersonic Wave Filter |
| Autofocus | Contrast Detect AF system, 35-area Mutiple AF, Single AF, Group Target AF, Continuous AF, Manual Focus, Single AF + MF, AF tracking |
| White Balance |
AUTO |
| Live View AF | Image Sensor (High Speed Live MOS) type |
| Display Monitor | 3.0 in. (460k-dot) Tiltable |
| Movie | Full HD 1920 x 1080/60i AVCHD |
| Built-in Flash | n/a. External Flash FL-LM1 included |
| External Flash | Wireless Flash Control: Available(4ch, 4Groups). Bundled flash is usable as a center flash in case of wireless flash control. Compatible external flash: E-System Flash (FL-50R, FL-36R, FL-50, FL-36, FL-20, FL-14, FL-300R) External Flash control mode: TTL Auto, Auto, Manual, FP-TTL-AUTO, FP-MANUAL Flash mode of External Flash: Auto, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction slow sync., Slow sync at 1st curtain, Slow sync at 2nd curtain, Fill-in, Off. Synchronization speed: 1/60-1/160, Super FP 1/125-1/4000 with External Flash |
| Art Filter | Pop Art, Soft Focus, Grainy Film, Pin Hole, Diorama, Dramatic Tone |
| Multiple Exposure | 2 frames |
| Live Guide | Yes |
| Battery | BLS-1 Li-ion battery (300 shots) included |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 109.5 x 63.7 x 37.3 mm / 4.31 x 2.50 x 1.46 in. (excluding protrusions) |
| Weight | body only: 313g / 9.34 oz including Battery and Memory card: 344g / 11.04 oz |
| MSRP | with 14-42mm kit lens: US $699.99 / CAD $699.99 / UK £549.99 / €599 |
*Specifications and equipment are subject to change without any notice or obligation on the part of the manufacturer. Please consult manufacturer’s site for latest specifications.
You can buy the Olympus E-PL3 from our Trusted Sponsor B&H Photo-Video, the Professional’s Source, satisfying millions of customers for over 35 years:
– E-PL3 Digital Camera with 14-42mm Lens (Black)
– E-PL3 Digital Camera with 14-42mm Lens (Red)
– E-PL3 Digital Camera with 14-42mm Lens (Silver)
– E-PL3 Digital Camera with 14-42mm Lens (White)
– E-PL3 Digital Camera with 17mm Lens (Black)
| Amazon.com [US] | ||
| Olympus E-PL3 | ||
| 14-42mm White | 14-42mm Silver | 14-42mm Black |
| 14-42mm White | 17mm Black | |
| Amazon.co.uk [UK] | ||
| Olympus E-PL3 | ||
| 14-42mm Black | 14-42mm Red | 14-42mm White |
Or, Browse our Amazon Store (US) | (UK) | (CAN)
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