Olympus PEN E-P3

338 reviews

Apr, 2024

Positive
performance (241)
portability (174)
usability (141)
design (110)
image quality (88)

Negative
price (50)
sensor (15)
battery (5)
exposure (1)

General overview
Price comparison

alaTest has collected and analyzed 338 reviews of Olympus PEN E-P3. 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. People are impressed by the image quality and design. The portability and usability also get good feedback. The exposure and battery get critical reviews. Comments about the viewfinder and price are mixed.

performance, usability, portability, design, image quality

sensor, battery, exposure

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Digital Compact Cameras the Olympus PEN E-P3 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 91/100 = Excellent quality.

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Review analysis

(Based on 338 reviews)

Expert Reviews

User Reviews

Review Ratings

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Features

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design
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Showing 188 review(s)

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Showing 1 - 120 of 188 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (149)

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Olympus PEN E-P3

alaTest has collected and analyzed 16 user reviews of Olympus PEN E-P3 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. Reviewers really like the usability and durability. The performance and lens are also mentioned favorably. Reviews are divided on the design, and many are negative about the battery and shutter.

portability, lens, performance, durability, usability

price, image quality, shutter, battery

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-P3

alaTest has collected and analyzed 94 user reviews of Olympus PEN E-P3 from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 4.5/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.2/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras on Amazon.com. Views about the design and image quality are on the whole positive. The usability and portability are also mentioned favorably, but comments are divided on the battery.

performance, portability, usability, image quality, design

97% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Expert review by : Trusted Reviews (trustedreviews.com)

Olympus PEN EP-3

Does the flagship Olympus PEN EP-3 deliver more than just stylish retro looks?

Great image quality, Enthusiast-level shooting features, Solid build quality and stylish design

Zoom ring a bit hard to reach, AWB can be fooled under artificial light, Very expensive

Dec, 2011

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Expert review by : Gavin Stoker (t3.com)

Olympus E-P3 Digital Pen review

Third generation 'Pen' flagship model- the Olympus' E-P3 - maintains gorgeous retro styling whilst thankfully squeezing in integral flash while retaining the retro styling we've come to love

Classic design ; Built-in flash ; Art Filters digital effects

Cost ; Not the most 'compact

Though it looks positively chunky ranged against Panasonic’s simultaneously released Lumix DMC-GF3 interchangeable lens compact camera – which uses the same mirror-less mechanism and core sensor technology - the brushed metal finish to the E-P3 exudes...

Sep, 2011

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Expert review by : Angela Nicholson (techradar.com)

Olympus PEN E-P3 review

Could the PEN really be mightier?

Detail-rich images at low ISO Fast AF Responsive touchscreen Loads of features Accessory port (for viewfinder)

Poor images at ISO 6400 and above AF tracking can't keep up with fast movement No viewfinder built-in

Although from the outset Olympus's PEN series of compact system cameras had its fans, it also had its fair share of detractors. The E-P1 (launched in June 2009) for example, had no built-in flash or viewfinder, a dated and somewhat confused menu and a...

Jul, 2011

Partner Source

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Expert review by : William Perceval (pocket-lint.com)

Olympus Pen E-P3

The latest Olympus Pen, the E-P3, adds some long-needed features to the series. While the first two E-P installments lacked a built in flash, the E-P3 finally delivers on this front. And any moans of slow autofocus from previous models should also now...

OLED touchscreen, fast autofocus, wireless flash control, quality images

Expensive, subject tracking ineffective, too few shots per charge

At almost £800 the Olympus Pen E-P3 isn’t light on the wallet and is firmly targeted at serious photographers. This third installment of the digital PEN feels good in the hand and brushes up on those issues that the previous two releases haven’t been...

Aug, 2011

Partner Source

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Expert review by : Hunter Skipworth (pocket-lint.com)

First Look: Olympus Pen E-P3

Olympus have only just unveiled their brand new flagship Pen E-P3 camera and we were on hand to take a look.

Retro design, speed of focusing, compact and lightweight

Might find itself bettered by smaller sibling cameras

Jul, 2011

Partner Source

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Expert review by : Hunter Skipworth (pocket-lint.com)

Olympus Pen E-P3 hands-on - Pocket-lint

Olympus has carved out a crafty little niche in the camera market with its trendy take on the compact mirrorless camera. Previous generations of Pen cameras

Jun, 2011

Partner Source

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Expert review by : Elias Plastiras (techadvisor.co.uk)

Olympus PEN E-P3 review

The PEN E-P3 is the third generation Micro Four Thirds camera from Olympus. It's larger than a compact camera, smaller than a digital SLR, yet it's packed with features from both camps and has a style all its own. It's easy enough for novice users to...

Without a doubt, this is one of the most fun cameras we've used on a daily basis. There isn't a high learning curve and what you see on its screen is usually what the camera records. It has extensive colour adjustments, Art filters and scene modes --...

Aug, 2011

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Expert review by : Stuff.tv (stuff.tv)

Olympus PEN E-P3 review

Of course the Olympus PEN E-P3 isn't an SLR. We all know that but we have to call it something. This third evolution of the interchangeable lens compact camera (see, micro-SLR is neater isn't it?) has almost nailed the concept. Not quite, but it's not...

Aug, 2011

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Reddot design award winner 2010!

Expert review by : reddot (red-dot.de (UK))

Olympus PEN E-P3 System Camera

The PEN E-P3 is consistently oriented towards the design of classic cameras. The jury also liked the option of interchangeable grips in order to tailor the camera to different needs.

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

Olympus Pen E-P3 review

Having used the Olympus Pen E-P3 for a few weeks, it is certainly a camera that ticks a lot of boxes for me. It handles well and allows easy creative control.While the AF system is generally fast if using one of the new MSC lenses, it is not always up...

Apr, 2014

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