The E-PL3 from 2011 brought a tilting screen to the PEN E-PL line, pairing a 12.3MP Live MOS sensor with 3.5-stop IBIS at 297g. No 4K, no Wi-Fi, no fully articulated screen. It was the slimmest OM-D-era PEN at the time. The tilting screen was a genuine improvement over the fixed screens of earlier E-PL bodies. Now very cheap on the used market and only practical for basic stills work. It replaces the Olympus PEN E-PL2. It has been succeeded by the Olympus PEN E-PL5. At 297g, this is one of the lightest M43 bodies available, 241g below the M43 average of 538g. Step up to the Panasonic Lumix G100D if you want more controls at the cost of 36g 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 | 2011-08 |
| Weight | 297g |
| Dimensions | 112.4 × 63.4 × 38.8mm |
| Weather sealed | No |
| Screen | Tilting |
| 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-PL3 have IBIS?
Yes. The Olympus PEN E-PL3 has in-body image stabilisation rated at 3.5 stops.
Is the Olympus PEN E-PL3 weather sealed?
No. The Olympus PEN E-PL3 does not have weather sealing. Take care in rain or dusty conditions.
Does the Olympus PEN E-PL3 shoot 4K video?
No. The Olympus PEN E-PL3 does not record 4K video.
Does the Olympus PEN E-PL3 have phase-detect autofocus?
No. The Olympus PEN E-PL3 uses contrast-detect autofocus. It is slower to lock on to moving subjects than phase-detect systems.
What card does the Olympus PEN E-PL3 use?
The Olympus PEN E-PL3 has 1 card slot and accepts SD UHS-I cards.
How much does the Olympus PEN E-PL3 weigh?
The Olympus PEN E-PL3 weighs 297g (body only, with battery and card).
Is the Olympus PEN E-PL3 still worth buying?
The Olympus PEN E-PL3 has been succeeded by the Olympus PEN E-PL5. The newer model improves on AF performance, sensor, and video specs. At a reduced second-hand price the Olympus PEN E-PL3 remains a capable body, but the Olympus PEN E-PL5 is the better long-term buy if the budget allows.