Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-5

      Olympus E-3

      Olympus E-5
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      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Olympus E-3 and the Olympus E-5, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Olympus E-3 was introduced in February 2008 and Olympus E-5 was introduced in February 2011. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Olympus E-3 Highlights

      • 10.0 MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 3,200 Native ISO
      • 11 Focus Points
      • Image Stabilization
      • 2.5" 230k dot Fully Articulated Screen
      • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
      • 5.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • Built-in Flash
      • Wheather Sealed Body

      Olympus E-5 Highlights

      • 12.3 MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 6,400 Native ISO
      • 11 Focus Points (11 Cross-type)
      • Image Stabilization
      • 3.0" 920k dot Fully Articulated Screen
      • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
      • 5.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1280 x 720 Video Shooting
      • 30 min Video Recording Limit
      • Built-in Flash
      • Wheather Sealed Body
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Olympus E-3
      4. Advantage of Olympus E-5
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Screen and Viewfinder
      7. Sensor
      8. Photography Features
      9. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
      10. Other Features
      11. Physical Parameters
      12. For Different Types of Photography
      13. Evaluations
      14. Specifications  

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Olympus E-3 and Olympus E-5.

      PROS

      Olympus E-3

      Olympus E-5

      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Orientation Sensor
      •   Video Capture
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Olympus E-3

      Olympus E-5

      •   No Video Capture
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10.0 Megapixel
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low DxO Overall Score - 56
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.3 Megapixel
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   Low DxO Overall Score - 56
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Olympus E-3

      Olympus E-5

      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Screen Size - 2.5"
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      •   Weight - 890 g (1.96 lb / 31.39 oz)
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   11 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      •   Weight - 800 g (1.76 lb / 28.22 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 870 shots

      Advantage of Olympus E-3

      Olympus E-3
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Olympus E-3 over Olympus E-5.

      Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-5
      Multi Area Autofocus vs
      Selective Autofocus vs
      Higher DxO Low Light ISO 571 vs 519

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Olympus E-3.

      Olympus E-620
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      Micro Four Thirds

      12.3 MP

      Olympus E-510
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      10.0 MP

      Olympus E-330
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      7.94 MP

      Olympus E-1
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      5 MP

      Olympus E-520
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      Micro Four Thirds

      10.0 MP

      Olympus E-420
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      Micro Four Thirds

      10.0 MP

      Olympus E-450
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      Micro Four Thirds

      10.0 MP

      Olympus E-410
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      Micro Four Thirds

      10.0 MP

      Olympus E-400
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      Micro Four Thirds

      10.0 MP

      Sigma sd Quattro H
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      APS-H

      44.8 MP

      Sigma sd Quattro
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      APS-C

      29 MP

      Canon 5DS R
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      Full Frame

      50.6 MP

      Advantage of Olympus E-5

      Olympus E-5
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Olympus E-5 over Olympus E-3.

      Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-5
      Video Capture vs
      Higher Sensor Resolution 10.0 Megapixel vs 12.3 Megapixel
      Higher Native ISO 3,200 vs 6,400
      More Powerful Processor TruePic III vs TruePic V+
      Max Image Resolution 3648 x 2736 vs 4032 x 3024
      Face Detection vs
      Live View Autofocus vs
      Contrast Detection for Autofocus vs
      Larger Screen 2.5" vs 3.0"
      Higher Resolution Screen 230k dot vs 920k dot
      Multi-Segment Metering vs
      Center Weighted Metering vs
      Spot Metering vs
      HDMI Output vs Mini type C
      Built-in Microphone vs Stereo
      Microphone Input vs
      Lighter 890 g (1.96 lb / 31.39 oz) vs 800 g (1.76 lb / 28.22 oz)
      More Storage Slots 1 vs 2

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Olympus E-5.

      Olympus E-420
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      Micro Four Thirds

      10.0 MP

      Olympus E-1
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      Micro Four Thirds

      5 MP

      Olympus E-450
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      Micro Four Thirds

      10.0 MP

      Olympus E-330
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      Micro Four Thirds

      7.94 MP

      Olympus E-620
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      Micro Four Thirds

      12.3 MP

      Olympus E-410
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      Micro Four Thirds

      10.0 MP

      Olympus E-510
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      Micro Four Thirds

      10.0 MP

      Olympus E-30
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      Micro Four Thirds

      12 MP

      Olympus E-500
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      Micro Four Thirds

      8 MP

      Olympus E-300
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      Micro Four Thirds

      8 MP

      Olympus E-400
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      Micro Four Thirds

      10.0 MP

      Sony SLT-A35
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      APS-C

      16.2 MP

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Olympus E-3 Olympus E-5
        Image StabilizationSensor ShiftSensor Shift
        Screen TypeFully ArticulatedFully Articulated
        High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain)1/8000 sec1/8000 sec
        Built-in Flash
        Environmental Sealing
        Orientation Sensor
      WEAKNESSES Olympus E-3 Olympus E-5
        Small SensorMicro Four ThirdsMicro Four Thirds
        Low Resolution Sensor10.0 Megapixel12.3 Megapixel
        Timelapse Recording
        Few Focus Points1111
        Low DxO Overall Score5656
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi
        No Built-In Bluetooth

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Olympus E-3 has a 2.5" screen with 230k dot resolution and Olympus E-5 has a 3.0" screen with 920k dot resolution. Both have Fully Articulated screens. Fully articulated screen makes cameras selfie and vlogger friendly and generally very useful for video shooting.

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      Olympus E-5 with Fully Articulated screen


      Viewfinder

      Cameras have built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinders. They both have 100% coverage and 1.15x (0.58x 35mm equivalent) magnification.

      Sensor

      Olympus E-3 features a 10.0 megapixel Micro Four Thirds CMOS sensor with dimensions of 17.3 x 13 mm and a total area of 224.9 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 3,200. Olympus E-5 features a 12.3 megapixel Micro Four Thirds CMOS sensor with dimensions of 17.3 x 13 mm and a total area of 169 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 6,400.


      Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

      Sensor size chart
      Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
      Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
      Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
      Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
      Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

      Photography Features

      Olympus E-3 is equipped with TruePic III processor and can take pictures up to 3648 x 2736 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3200 x 2400, 2560 x 1920, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 1024 x 768, 640 x 480 with 4:3 aspect ratios. Olympus E-5 is equipped with TruePic V+ processor and can take pictures up to 4032 x 3024 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3200 x 2400, 2560 x 1920, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 1024 x 960, 640 x 480 with 4:3, 16:9 aspect ratios.


      Lens Mount

      Cameras have Four Thirds lens mount. Due to their Micro Four Thirds sensor their crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is equal to 2x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 2.


      In-Body Image Stabilization

      The cameras have a built-in Sensor Shift in-body image stabilization (IBIS). This means that you are still getting vibration reduction when cameras are paired with non-image stabilizied lenses. It also works with lenses with optical image stabilization and in combination can achieve even better compensation.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Olympus E-5 comes with BLM-5 battery pack with battery life of 870 shots.


      External Storage Slots

      Olympus E-3 has a single Compact Flash (Type I/II), xD Picture Card card slot. Olympus E-5 has two card slots - one for Compact Flash (Type I/II) and one for SD/SDHC/SDXC.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Shutter speed can go up to 1/8000 sec on Olympus E-3, and up to 1/8000 sec on Olympus E-5. Cameras can shoot continuously up to 5.0 fps.


      Flash

      Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 13.00 m on Olympus E-3 and 18.00 m at ISO 200 on Olympus E-5. They also accept external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe or PC Terminal to Olympus E-3 and via Hot Shoe to Olympus E-5. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/250 sec on both cameras.

      Physical Parameters

      Olympus E-3 body has dimensions of 142 x 116 x 75 mm (5.59 x 4.57 x 2.95") and Olympus E-5 body has dimensions of 143 x 117 x 75 mm (5.63 x 4.61 x 2.95"). Olympus E-3 weighs 890 g (1.96 lb / 31.39 oz) and Olympus E-5 weighs 800 g (1.76 lb / 28.22 oz).

      Olympus E-3

      Olympus E-5

      142 mm

      116 mm

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      143 mm

      117 mm

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      116 mm

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      117 mm

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      75 mm

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      75 mm

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      Size comparisons of Olympus E-3 and Olympus E-5

      Olympus E-3 and Olympus E-5 for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Olympus E-3

      Olympus E-5

      GOOD
      76
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      GOOD
      77
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Olympus E-3

      Olympus E-5

      AVERAGE
      64
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      71
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   11 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Battery Life - 870 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Olympus E-3

      Olympus E-5

      AVERAGE
      66
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      67
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   11 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Battery Life - 870 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Olympus E-3

      Olympus E-5

      GOOD
      75
      •   Small Sensor
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 2.5"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      80
      •   Small Sensor
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   11 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Olympus E-3

      Olympus E-5

      GOOD
      82
      •   Small Sensor
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 890 g (1.96 lb / 31.39 oz)
      GOOD
      83
      •   Small Sensor
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   11 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 800 g (1.76 lb / 28.22 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Olympus E-3

      Olympus E-5

      GOOD
      82
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 890 g (1.96 lb / 31.39 oz)
      GOOD
      81
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 800 g (1.76 lb / 28.22 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 870 shots

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Olympus E-3 and Olympus E-5 and give them scores of 61 and 72 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Olympus E-3

      Olympus E-5

      OVERALL
      61
      OVERALL
      72

      Sensor

      Olympus E-3

      Olympus E-5

      AVERAGE
      65
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10.0 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   Low DxO Overall Score - 56
      AVERAGE
      65
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.3 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   Low DxO Overall Score - 56

      Photo

      Olympus E-3

      Olympus E-5

      GOOD
      74
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      GOOD
      75
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec

      Video

      Olympus E-3

      Olympus E-5

      BAD
      0
      •   Image Stabilization
      POOR
      42
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   Low Video Recording Limit

      Focusing

      Olympus E-3

      Olympus E-5

      AVERAGE
      69
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      GOOD
      75
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   11 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Olympus E-3

      Olympus E-5

      GOOD
      79
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Screen Size - 2.5"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      GOOD
      82
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot

      Connectivity

      Olympus E-3

      Olympus E-5

      POOR
      40
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      GOOD
      78
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Olympus E-3

      Olympus E-5

      GOOD
      77
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 890 g (1.96 lb / 31.39 oz)
      GOOD
      74
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 800 g (1.76 lb / 28.22 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 870 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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