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Olympus PEN E-PL3

Olympus PEN E-PL3

490 reviews

Apr, 2024

Positive
performance (157)
portability (147)
image quality (105)
usability (97)
design (71)

Negative
viewfinder (14)
memory (4)

General overview
Price comparison

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 also get good feedback. There are some mixed reviews about the image stabilizer. Many are critical about the memory and viewfinder.

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

Review Ratings

(52% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews (36% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews (9% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews (1% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews (2% of reviews)
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Features

performance
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portability
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usability
Show positive (61%)Show negative (39%)(Show all)

image quality
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price
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Showing 207 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews

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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. Views about the price and lens are overall positive. The performance and usability also get good reviews. The memory and durability get critical reviews. There are some mixed views about the reliability.

portability, usability, performance, lens, price

durability, memory

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

Apr, 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. Reviewers really like the screen and size. The image quality and performance also get good feedback. There are some critical reviews 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.

Apr, 2024

Expert review by : Audley Jarvis (trustedreviews.com)

Olympus PEN E-PL3

Is the Olympus E-PL3 the best PEN yet?

Super-fast AF performance ; Good image quality ; Tiltable LCD monitor

No hand-grip ; No pop-up flash ; Limited macro capabilites

There is a lot to like about the E-PL3: it’s a very capable camera that delivers good image quality. Stylish and easy to use, it offers plenty of useful and fun features including a tiltable LCD, Art Filters and solid HD movie recording abilities. Of...

Oct, 2011

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Expert review by : Michael Sawh (t3.com)

Olympus E-PL3 review

Olympus Third generation 'Pen Lite' adds tilting LCD screen but subtracts handgrip and integral flash. Still a great update but no real reasons to upgrade from the previous model if you're own one

Solid feel ; Metal build ; Retro styling

Lack of Flash ; Plastic-y flashgun clip ; Lacks proper handgrip

If you’ve considered buying a cheap digital SLR to get better shots than your £100 pocket camera or smartphone will allow, then the E-PL3 offers a similarly priced, but more manageable alternative. For us the results aren’t quite on a par with a...

Sep, 2011

Partner Source

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Expert review by : Josie Reavely (techradar.com)

Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3 review

The new downsized PEN CSC boasts an extremely fast autofocus system

Very fast AF ; Simple control layout ; Art filters ; 1080p HD movies ; Live Guide

Mic a little sensitive ; No built-in flash ; No integral EVF ; No built-in front grip

Small but perfectly formed, cameras in the Olympus PEN range are well loved for their stylish good looks and user-friendly handling. One of a trio of new launches from the manufacturer, the new Micro four Thirds PEN Lite E-PL3 continues the PEN trend...

Sep, 2011

Partner Source

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Expert review by : Reviews team (techradar.com)

Olympus PEN review

The micro four thirds range from Olympus

See individual reviews

Jan, 2010

Partner Source

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Expert review by : Ben Pitt (expertreviews.co.uk)

Olympus Pen E-PL3 review

An impressive all-rounder, with a great range of extras, but various niggling issues combine to take the shine off its appeal

Dec, 2011

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Expert review by : Amateur Photographer (amateurphotographer.co.uk)

Olympus Pen E-PL3 (Lite) review

With the core of the Olympus Pen models the same, the E-PL3's makeover successfully creates a marked physical difference between it and the larger E-P3.Those desiring a compact and modern-styled body will be happy. A tiltable screen aids handling and,...

Apr, 2014

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Expert review by (channel5.com)

Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3

Olympus kickstarted the trend for dinky cameras with interchangeable lenses several years ago with its rebooted PEN series of snappers. Is the PEN Lite E-PL3 a worthy stepping stone from compact camera to advanced DSLR? See for yourself in the clip...

Jan, 2013

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Expert review by : Troy Park (digicambuyer.co.uk)

Olympus E-PL3

Also known as the PEN Lite, this is the latest retro-style compact system camera to hit the shelves

The Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3 is a great, easy-to-use compact system camera that provides quality images – perfect for anyone looking to step up their photography

Dec, 2011

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Expert review by : Jonathan Margolis (howtospendit.ft.com)

Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3 camera

A serious luxury item, this beautifuly made camera is a delight to use

Oct, 2011

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Expert review by : Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla (canadianreviewer.com)

Review: Olympus E-PL3 Micro Four Thirds Camera

Olympus has been a pioneer in the (Interchangeable Lens Camera) market with its PEN line of Micro Four Thirds cameras which came to market two years ago. Now, with competition from the likes of Sony, Samsung, Pentax, Panasonic and most recently Nikon,...

Oct, 2011

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