Olympus E3 vs Olympus E5 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Olympus · DSLR · 10.1 MP · Micro Four Thirds
Olympus E3
42
SCORE
|
Olympus · DSLR · 12.3 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Standard HD video
Olympus E5
49
WINNER
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Olympus E5 is the newer of these two Olympus DSLRs, released in 2010 against the E3's 2007 launch. Both share the Micro 4/3 lens mount and the Micro Four Thirds sensor format, so your existing Olympus lenses work on either body. The E5 is also the lighter camera at 800 g, against 890 g for the E3. Body dimensions differ by a millimetre in width and height, so either body occupies the same space in a bag. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2007 | 2010 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
October 16, 2007 | September 14, 2010 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 142 x 116 x 75 mm | 143 x 117 x 75 mm |
| Camera weight | 890 g | 800 g |
| Optics | 40/100 | 44/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe E5 gives you more room to crop and enlarge, with 12.3 MP against the E3's 10.1 MP. That helps when a distant bird or a candid portrait fills only part of the frame, letting you tighten the composition afterwards. The E5 also reaches ISO 6400, double the E3's 3200 ceiling, adding a setting for dim interiors and evening streets. Both stabilise the sensor in-body, steadying handheld shots with any Micro 4/3 lens. Burst speed and the 1/8000 second top shutter speed match as well. Sensor types differ, with Live MOS in the E3 and NMOS in the E5. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
10.1 MP050 | 12.3 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
3648 x 2736 | 4032 x 3024 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
Live MOS | NMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
13 x 17 | 13 x 17.3 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
5 fps045 | 5 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Micro 4/3 | Micro 4/3 |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
TruePic III | TruePic V+ |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 4:3 | 4:3 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
32003003280000 | 64003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
32003003280000 | 64003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
6044080 | 6044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
800080032000 | 800080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
110300 | 110300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | Unscored | 34/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe E5 can record movies and the E3 cannot, which settles this section for anyone mixing clips with stills. It records Standard HD footage at up to 30 fps in MPEG-4 files, suited to web clips and family footage. Neither offers a built-in timelapse intervalometer. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
No |  Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
N/A |  Standard HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
N/A | 1280 x 720 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
N/A | 30 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
N/A | MPEG-4 |
| Features | 43/100 | 54/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe E5's rear screen is clearly better for checking focus and composition, a 3-inch LCD with 920000 dots against the E3's 2.5-inch, 230000-dot panel. Four times the dot count makes judging a bird's eye or a bride's expression right after the shot far more reliable. Several working features are shared. Both are weather sealed for rain and dust, and both offer a flipping screen with live view for waist-level and overhead angles. Each includes a built-in flash and supports an external one, while neither adds touch control, WiFi, Bluetooth or GPS. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 2.5" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2300001150001500000 | 9200001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 63/100 | 71/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe E5's battery rating is higher, at 870 shots against 610 for the E3. The E3 uses a BLM-1 battery and the E5 a BLM-5, so spares are not interchangeable, and neither camera charges over USB. Both have dual card slots, but the card formats differ. The E3 pairs Compact Flash with the xD Picture Card, while the E5 pairs it with SD, SDHC and SDXC support, so its second slot accepts the SD family. | ||
| Memory card | Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Compact Flash (Type I or II) |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | Yes |
| Battery type | BLM-1 | BLM-5 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
610 shots1505000 | 870 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The Olympus E5 is the stronger choice for almost every photographic use. Choose it for cropping distant wildlife with 12.3 MP, for dim reception light with ISO 6400, for checking focus on its more detailed 3-inch screen, and for occasional Standard HD clips. SD card support and a higher battery rating complete the case.
The E3 only makes sense if you already own xD or Compact Flash cards and a spare BLM-1 battery and shoot stills alone. Otherwise the E5 keeps the shared weather-sealed, stabilised Micro 4/3 system and adds the higher-resolution sensor, better screen, wider ISO range and movies.