The E-P3 from 2011 was the flagship PEN of its generation, offering a 12.3MP Live MOS sensor with 3.5-stop IBIS and a touchscreen at 369g. No 4K, no viewfinder, no Wi-Fi. It was notable at launch for its fast contrast-detect AF speed. Now very dated and priced cheaply on the used market. Only relevant for vintage shooters or those building a collection of early Olympus M43 bodies. It replaces the Olympus PEN E-P2. It has been succeeded by the Olympus PEN E-P5. At 369g, this is one of the lightest M43 bodies available, 169g below the M43 average of 538g. Step up to the OM System OM-5 II if you want more controls at the cost of 1g extra.
Best for: Handheld and low-light photography
Pros
- 3.5-stop IBIS for handheld stability
Cons
- Contrast-detect AF only, slower on unpredictably moving subjects
- Not weather sealed
- No 4K video
Specifications
| Body | |
| Brand | Olympus |
| Status | discontinued |
| Released | 2011-07 |
| Weight | 369g |
| Dimensions | 122.3 × 64.5 × 34.6mm |
| Weather sealed | No |
| Screen | Fixed |
| Touchscreen | Yes |
| Sensor | |
| Description | 12.3MP Live MOS |
| Megapixels | 12.3MP |
| Resolution | 4032 × 3024 |
| Viewfinder | |
| EVF | No |
| Stabilisation | |
| IBIS | Yes |
| IBIS stops | 3.5 stops |
| Dual IS | No |
| Autofocus | |
| Phase detect | No |
| Subject recognition | No |
| Shooting | |
| Video | |
| 4K | No |
| 4K 60fps | No |
| Log | No |
| Ports & storage | |
| Card slots | 1 |
| Card type | SD UHS-I |
| HDMI | micro |
| Headphone jack | No |
| Mic port | No |
| WiFi | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Battery | BLS-50 |
| Pricing | |
| Price (approx.) | N/A |
Frequently asked questions
Does the Olympus PEN E-P3 have IBIS?
Yes. The Olympus PEN E-P3 has in-body image stabilisation rated at 3.5 stops.
Is the Olympus PEN E-P3 weather sealed?
No. The Olympus PEN E-P3 does not have weather sealing. Take care in rain or dusty conditions.
Does the Olympus PEN E-P3 shoot 4K video?
No. The Olympus PEN E-P3 does not record 4K video.
Does the Olympus PEN E-P3 have phase-detect autofocus?
No. The Olympus PEN E-P3 uses contrast-detect autofocus. It is slower to lock on to moving subjects than phase-detect systems.
What card does the Olympus PEN E-P3 use?
The Olympus PEN E-P3 has 1 card slot and accepts SD UHS-I cards.
How much does the Olympus PEN E-P3 weigh?
The Olympus PEN E-P3 weighs 369g (body only, with battery and card).
Is the Olympus PEN E-P3 still worth buying?
The Olympus PEN E-P3 has been succeeded by the Olympus PEN E-P5. The newer model improves on AF performance, sensor, and video specs. At a reduced second-hand price the Olympus PEN E-P3 remains a capable body, but the Olympus PEN E-P5 is the better long-term buy if the budget allows.