Olympus PEN E-PL3 vs Fujifilm FinePix S2950

      Olympus PEN E-PL3

      Fujifilm FinePix S2950
      63
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      58
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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 PEN E-PL3 and the Fujifilm FinePix S2950, 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 PEN E-PL3 was introduced in September 2011 and Fujifilm FinePix S2950 was introduced in January 2011. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Olympus PEN E-PL3 Highlights

      • 12.3 MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS Sensor
      • 200 - 12,800 Native ISO
      • 35 Focus Points (35 Cross-type)
      • Image Stabilization
      • 3.0" 460k dot Tilting Screen
      • 5.5 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • 30 min Video Recording Limit

      Fujifilm FinePix S2950 Highlights

      • 14.0 MP 1/2.3-inch CCD Sensor
      • 100 - 1,600 Native ISO
      • Image Stabilization
      • 3.0" 230k dot Fixed Screen
      • Electronic Viewfinder
      • 1.2 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1280 x 720 Video Shooting
      • Built-in Flash
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Olympus PEN E-PL3
      4. Advantage of Fujifilm FinePix S2950
      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 PEN E-PL3 and Fujifilm FinePix S2950.

      PROS

      Olympus PEN E-PL3

      Fujifilm FinePix S2950

      •   Video Capture
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Light - 313 g (0.69 lb / 11.04 oz)
      •   Video Capture
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Light - 437 g (0.96 lb / 15.41 oz)

      CONS

      Olympus PEN E-PL3

      Fujifilm FinePix S2950

      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.3 Megapixel
      •   200 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Low DxO Overall Score - 52
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 300 shots
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 14.0 Megapixel
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.2 fps
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 300 shots


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

      AVERAGE

      Olympus PEN E-PL3

      Fujifilm FinePix S2950

      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   35 Focus Points
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.5 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"

      Advantage of Olympus PEN E-PL3

      Olympus PEN E-PL3
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Olympus PEN E-PL3 over Fujifilm FinePix S2950.

      Olympus PEN E-PL3 vs Fujifilm FinePix S2950
      Larger Sensor Micro Four Thirds vs 1/2.3-inch
      RAW Support vs
      Selective Autofocus vs
      Screen Type Tilting vs Fixed
      Higher Resolution Screen 460k dot vs 230k dot
      Lower Min Shutter Speed 60 sec vs 8 sec
      Higher Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) 1/4000 sec vs 1/2000 sec
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 5.5 fps vs 1.2 fps
      External Flash Connectivity vs
      Higher Video Resolution 1920 x 1080 vs 1280 x 720
      Lighter 313 g (0.69 lb / 11.04 oz) vs 437 g (0.96 lb / 15.41 oz)

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Olympus PEN E-PL3.

      Olympus PEN E-PL6
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      Micro Four Thirds

      16 MP

      Olympus PEN-F
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      Micro Four Thirds

      20 MP

      Olympus PEN E-PL8
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      Micro Four Thirds

      16.1 MP

      Olympus PEN E-PL9
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      16.1 MP

      Olympus PEN E-PL5
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      16.1 MP

      Olympus PEN E-PM1
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      Micro Four Thirds

      12.3 MP

      Olympus PEN E-P7
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      Micro Four Thirds

      20 MP

      Olympus PEN E-PM2
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      Micro Four Thirds

      16.1 MP

      Olympus PEN E-PL2
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      Micro Four Thirds

      12 MP

      Olympus PEN E-P3
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      Micro Four Thirds

      12.3 MP

      Olympus PEN E-P5
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      Micro Four Thirds

      16.1 MP

      Olympus PEN E-P1
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      Micro Four Thirds

      12 MP

      Advantage of Fujifilm FinePix S2950

      Fujifilm S2950
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Fujifilm FinePix S2950 over Olympus PEN E-PL3.

      Olympus PEN E-PL3 vs Fujifilm FinePix S2950
      Higher Sensor Resolution 12.3 Megapixel vs 14.0 Megapixel
      Lower Native ISO 200 vs 100
      Higher Native ISO 12,800 vs 1,600
      Max Image Resolution 4032 x 3024 vs 4288 x 3216
      Center Autofocus vs
      Built-in Flash vs
      Speaker vs Mono

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Fujifilm FinePix S2950.

      Sony HX200V
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      1/2.3-inch

      18.2 MP

      Leica Q3
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      Full Frame

      60.3 MP

      Fujifilm SL300
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      1/2.3-inch

      14.0 MP

      Fujifilm X-T30
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      APS-C

      26.1 MP

      Fujifilm X-T30
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      APS-C

      26.1 MP

      Nikon D200
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      APS-C

      10.2 MP

      Nikon S3000
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      1/2.3-inch

      12.0 MP

      Fujifilm X-T2
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      APS-C

      24.3 MP

      Panasonic ZS60
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      1/2.3-inch

      18.1 MP

      Nikon AW120
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      1/2.3-inch

      16.0 MP

      Pentax WG-2 GPS
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      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Sony G3
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      1/2.3-inch

      10 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 PEN E-PL3 Fujifilm FinePix S2950
        Video Capture
        Face Detection
        Live View Autofocus
        Image StabilizationSensor Shift
        HDMI Output Mini type C
        Light313 g (0.69 lb / 11.04 oz)437 g (0.96 lb / 15.41 oz)
      WEAKNESSES Olympus PEN E-PL3 Fujifilm FinePix S2950
        Small SensorMicro Four Thirds1/2.3-inch
        Low Resolution Sensor12.3 Megapixel14.0 Megapixel
        Timelapse Recording
        Few Cross-type Focus Points00
        Low Resolution Screen460k dot230k dot
        Low Video Resolution1920 x 10801280 x 720
        No Microphone Input
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi
        No Built-In Bluetooth
        No Environmental Sealing
        Short Battery Life300 shots300 shots

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Olympus PEN E-PL3 and Fujifilm FinePix S2950 have 3.0" screens with 460k dot and 230k dot resolutions respectively. Olympus PEN E-PL3 has a Tilting screen which makes it very useful for photography purposes but not so useful for video shooting. Fujifilm FinePix S2950 has a Fixed screen


      Viewfinder

      Fujifilm FinePix S2950 has a built-in Electronic viewfinder. It has a 97% coverage.Olympus PEN E-PL3 does not have a built-in viewfinder but an optional electronic viewfinder can be attached.

      Sensor

      Olympus PEN E-PL3 features a 12.3 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 200 - 12,800. Fujifilm FinePix S2950 features a 14.0 megapixel 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a total area of 20.7 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 1,600 and expands to 100 - 6,400 in boosted mode.

      Photography Features

      Olympus PEN E-PL3 is equipped with Truepic VI 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 768, 640 x 480 with 4:3, 16:9 aspect ratios. Fujifilm FinePix S2950 can take pictures up to 4288 x 3216 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4288 x 2864, 4288 x 2416, 3072 x 2304, 3072 x 2048, 3072 x 1728, 2048 x 1536, 2048 x 1360, 1920 x 1080.


      Image Stabilization

      The cameras have a built-in image stabilization. On Olympus PEN E-PL3 it means that you are still getting vibration reduction when it is 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

      NFC on Fujifilm FinePix S2950

      Fujifilm FinePix S2950 has Near Field Communication (NFC) technology which simplifies the process of pairing it with other NFC-enabled devices like smartphones or tablets. It allows to quickly transfer photos and videos or remotely control the camera from compatible device. NFC can also be used for authentication and security purposes. It can verify your identity before accessing certain features or transferring sensitive data. It can be used with NFC-enabled accessories as well, such as lenses, flashes and GPS devices.


      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. Olympus PEN E-PL3 has a Mini type C HDMI and Fujifilm FinePix S2950 has an HDMI connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Olympus PEN E-PL3 comes with BLS-5 battery pack with battery life of 300 shots and Fujifilm FinePix S2950 comes with 4 x AA battery pack with battery life of 300 shots.


      External Storage Slots

      Olympus PEN E-PL3 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot. Fujifilm FinePix S2950 has a single SD /SDHC card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Olympus PEN E-PL3, and up to 1/2000 sec on Fujifilm FinePix S2950. Olympus PEN E-PL3 can shoot continuously up to 5.5 fps. Fujifilm FinePix S2950 can shoot continuously up to 1.2 fps.


      Flash

      Fujifilm FinePix S2950 has a built-in flash with maximum range of 8.00 m. Olympus PEN E-PL3 has no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected via Hot Shoe. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/160 sec on Olympus PEN E-PL3.

      Physical Parameters

      Olympus PEN E-PL3 body has dimensions of 110 x 64 x 37 mm (4.33 x 2.52 x 1.46") and Fujifilm FinePix S2950 body has dimensions of 110 x 73 x 81 mm (4.33 x 2.87 x 3.19"). Olympus PEN E-PL3 weighs 313 g (0.69 lb / 11.04 oz) and Fujifilm FinePix S2950 weighs 437 g (0.96 lb / 15.41 oz).

      Olympus PEN E-PL3

      Fujifilm FinePix S2950

      110 mm

      64 mm

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      110 mm

      73 mm

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      64 mm

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      73 mm

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      37 mm

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      81 mm

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      Size comparisons of Olympus PEN E-PL3 and Fujifilm FinePix S2950

      Olympus PEN E-PL3 and Fujifilm FinePix S2950 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 PEN E-PL3

      Fujifilm FinePix S2950

      AVERAGE
      64
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      POOR
      48
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Olympus PEN E-PL3

      Fujifilm FinePix S2950

      AVERAGE
      69
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   35 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.5 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 300 shots
      GOOD
      72
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.2 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 300 shots

      Wildlife Photography

      Olympus PEN E-PL3

      Fujifilm FinePix S2950

      AVERAGE
      61
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   35 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.5 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 300 shots
      AVERAGE
      69
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.2 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 300 shots

      Portrait Photography

      Olympus PEN E-PL3

      Fujifilm FinePix S2950

      GOOD
      78
      •   Small Sensor
      •   35 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      AVERAGE
      69
      •   Small Sensor
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No External Flash Connectivity

      Street Photography

      Olympus PEN E-PL3

      Fujifilm FinePix S2950

      GOOD
      84
      •   Small Sensor
      •   35 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 313 g (0.69 lb / 11.04 oz)
      GOOD
      81
      •   Small Sensor
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 437 g (0.96 lb / 15.41 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Olympus PEN E-PL3

      Fujifilm FinePix S2950

      GOOD
      84
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 313 g (0.69 lb / 11.04 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 300 shots
      GOOD
      82
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 437 g (0.96 lb / 15.41 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 300 shots

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Olympus PEN E-PL3 and Fujifilm FinePix S2950 and give them scores of 63 and 58 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 PEN E-PL3

      Fujifilm FinePix S2950

      OVERALL
      63
      OVERALL
      58

      Sensor

      Olympus PEN E-PL3

      Fujifilm FinePix S2950

      AVERAGE
      64
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.3 Megapixel
      •   200 Lowest Native ISO
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   Low DxO Overall Score - 52
      POOR
      44
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 14.0 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO

      Photo

      Olympus PEN E-PL3

      Fujifilm FinePix S2950

      GOOD
      70
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.5 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      AVERAGE
      59
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.2 fps
      •   No External Flash Connectivity

      Video

      Olympus PEN E-PL3

      Fujifilm FinePix S2950

      POOR
      45
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      POOR
      43
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720

      Focusing

      Olympus PEN E-PL3

      Fujifilm FinePix S2950

      AVERAGE
      66
      •   35 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      GOOD
      73
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Olympus PEN E-PL3

      Fujifilm FinePix S2950

      GOOD
      72
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      AVERAGE
      69
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot

      Connectivity

      Olympus PEN E-PL3

      Fujifilm FinePix S2950

      AVERAGE
      65
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      AVERAGE
      65
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Olympus PEN E-PL3

      Fujifilm FinePix S2950

      POOR
      42
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 313 g (0.69 lb / 11.04 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 300 shots
      POOR
      43
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 437 g (0.96 lb / 15.41 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 300 shots


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

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