New E-P3 review at Trustedreviews. Electronista reviews the NEX-C3 but revommends the E-PL3!
The E-P3 has been tested by Trustedreviews (Click here): “Image quality is the best we’ve yet seen from an Olympus PEN camera, with the new 14-42mm kit zoom producing crisp, sharp edges throughout the whole frame…Taking this into consideration, we’ve decided to award the EP-3 a standard 8/10. Had it come in £150 cheaper, however, then we’d have had no hesitation in awarding it 9/10 and a TrustedReviews ‘Recommended’ award. If you’re intent on buying one regardless, rest assured that you won’t be disappointed by it.”
Chekc the E-P3 in Stock status by clicking these direct search links: Amazon, Adorama, B&H, J&R, eBay.
Electronista (Click here) reviewed the Sony NEX-C3 but recommended the readers to buy the Olympus E-PL3: “Sony’s timing isn’t ideal. We’d say the C3 is mostly safe against the Panasonic GF2 and GF3 given the NEX camera’s newer sensor. Against the Olympus E-PL3 Lite shipping from September onwards, though, this latest NEX may face trouble. For a bit more, you get a tangibly faster camera with a more advanced autofocus system, more video options (including 60FPS shooting), and a lens system that’s not confined to one vendor. Olympus even bundles in a hot shoe flash that Sony could really stand to include.”
P.S.: You cannot preorder the E-PL3 yet. BHphoto (Click here) does only list the camera but without to accept preorders.
REMINDER: Those are the direct search links to all the new Pana/Oly stuff:
Panasonic G3 search page at Amazon, Adorama, B&H, J&R, eBay.
Panasonic GF3 search page at Amazon, Adorama, B&H, J&R, eBay.
Panasonic-Leica 25mm f/1.4 search page at Amazon, Adorama, B&H, J&R, eBay.
Olympus E-P3 search page at Amazon, Adorama, B&H, J&R, eBay.
Olympus 12mm f/2.0 search page at Amazon, Adorama, B&H, J&R, eBay.
Olympus 45mm f/1.8 page at Amazon, Adorama, B&H, J&R, eBay.
SteveD
2 years ago |E-Pl3 over NEX-C3? This ought to be fun.
Parci
2 years ago |Why? The sensor is the NEX-C3 is vastly superior and… and… that’s it, everything else tilts it in the E-PL3′s favour and buyers are getting into a system, not just a sensor. Sure, I would also go for the NEX if I could add an EVF, fast primes, compact zooms etc. There is nothing wrong with the Sony bodies, but unfortunately the glory ends there, maybe with the exception of old manual lenses, but that is a very niche way of thinking of the NEX as a mature system.
Dummy00001
2 years ago |I see only one little problem.
One may NOT recommend an announced camera over a released camera.
You do understand the difference between the “camera one can buy” (NEX-C3) vs. “camera one can’t even pre-order yet” (E-PL3)?
At the moment, NEX-C3 wins over E-PL3 by virtue of being available.
Eric
2 years ago |I think any honest reviewer should recommend the E-PL3 over the C3. The C3 only offers two advantages; cleaner pics from ISO1600-6400, and a better rear LCD. The E-PL3, has a hot shoe, optional EVF’s, far better lens selection, better AF, and built-in shake reduction. People like to harp on high ISO abilities, but ISO1600+ matters very little to me 99% of the time.
peter
2 years ago |100% right!
MrBean
2 years ago |bla blah blah….I’ll take the cleaner picture quality of the Sony over any hot shoe, EVF and more lens. All Sony needs is a high quality prime lens to nail the coffin on the m4/3. I’m sure you all remember the original 4/3 sensor.
I wonder why the Sony with its mediocre lens always comes up as a winner in IQ on 95% of all review on the net? hmmmm….
too much insecurities in the m4/3 really….you guys should just shoot with your cameras…unless you guys are scared of what Sony have in the coming months..i.e. lens?
Parci
2 years ago |Actually, that’s at least two primes now (one normal, one portrait), even three if someone is not happy with the lovely 16/2.8. Also, the 18-200 is downright unusable due to size, whereas the Olympus 14-150 is light and compact. Same goes for the kit lenses, of which Sony doesn’t even have the telephoto. Shooting at arm’s length might also be something that works for you, but not for others.
But, alas, I must be really insecure having traded my D300 setup for an E-PL1. People should stop reading tech specs and DXO and such and really start using these things… yeah, the Sony sensor is much better, but in the end the picture is what counts and guess what: Sony still lacks a lot of things to be universally usable.
No doubt, they will have nice lenses in the end as well. At that point, they might very well dethrone m4/3. But what’s the point of praising them for everything now? Please tell me, which NEX lenses are you using?
sneye
2 years ago |The E-P3 review is a nice, straightforward piece of work. I know it is written with consumers in mind, but it’s quite useful to me anyway. One thing I keep seeing in E-P3 samples is the different look of JPEGs compared to all other Olympus cameras. The tonality seems much wider with more graduated shadows and a “softer” contrast. Not sure if I like that change. It reminds me of the technology suggested here:
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/optimizing_exposure.shtml
Michael
2 years ago |Nice review! Glad the E-P3 is doing well. Incidentally, here’s a random fireworks picture I shot on my new E-P3 yesterday. https://plus.google.com/101848191156408080085/posts/42hiwCDKLCw
GreyOwl
2 years ago |revommends? A typo I think
safaridon
2 years ago |Electronista Review statement that the NEX C3 is mostly safe against the GF2 and GF3 given its new new sensor seems very opinioned and strange when they have not even tested the GF3 (?) and its new dual processor which gives it an even faster AF speed than the NEX C3 and very good JPEG IQ inspite of a sensor very similar to that used in EPL3? Furthermore the GF3 is an metal body versus mainly plastic and includes a built in flash in a body of roughly the same size? Initial sales of GF3 in Japan far ahead of NEXC3 both available about the same timeframe. In comparison the new EPL3 is actually larger in most dimensions than the GF2 even minus a built in flash and nowhere near as small as either the GF3 or NEXC3.
safaridon
2 years ago |I just noticed that DPR has been giving out different dimensions for both the Epl3 and Pen Lite in their preview and descriptive literature. The preview shows it to be 4.7″ wide by 2.6″ high and 1.5″ deep w/o lens for both models and this seems to be correct given the lens size shown while the Oly descriptive literature gives the same dimensions as 4.3″
wide by only 2.5″ high and 1.3″ deep ??? Which one is correct or is the Pen Lite in a smaller body? DPR same same body only less features.
The dimensions given in the preview indicate that both these Oly new models to be slightly larger than the GF2 while the GF3 is 15% smaller.
Brod1er
2 years ago |Epl3 is thicker than pen lite (folding screen). Other dimensions should br same. Maybe one measures the strap lugs and one not? Height difference may be in the roundings from metric dimensions.
napalm
2 years ago |The Pen Lite is the E-PL3. The smaller PEN is the PEN Mini E-PM1.
elflord
2 years ago |> Electronista Review statement that the NEX C3 is mostly safe against the GF2 and GF3 given its new new sensor seems very opinioned and strange when they have not even tested the GF3
Taken out of context it sounds bad, but if you read the article, they do point out that the Sony NEX system is not all that great (lenses, please ?) and the other systems offer more room for growth.
I don’t understand enough about the target markets to know what exactly will sell the GF3/EPM/NEX-C3. I suspect most people who know what a DxOMark score is also want a system with decent lenses. Of those who don’t it probably depends on whether they would rather have a flash, “art filters”, or a flip out screen and the panorama feature. I suppose some who don’t know any better might just by the Sony on the basis of the megapixel count.
Brod1er
2 years ago |Agree gf3 should not be disregarded. Both it and epl3 offer different strengths compared to nex. Want flash, touchfocus and small size? Get gf3 and 14mm. Want hotshoe, small zoom, tilt screen, and IBIS? get epl3 and 14-42. Both have much faster AF and offer a better package than nex. Personally hotshoes make little sense on such small cameras- I prefer inbuilt- although IBIS would be nice…..
TobiasK
2 years ago |You can preorder E-PL3 in Germany:
http://www.technikdirekt.de (Body + 14-42 Lens 649,- €)
http://www.notebooksbilliger.de (Body + 14-42 Lens 649,- €)
http://www.amazon.de(Body + 14-42 Lens 699,- €)
SteveD
2 years ago |On another note, I noticed the EP3 review listed expensive as a pro.
Robbie
2 years ago |I think the recent reviews and sales really demonstrates that gearheads and consumers really do not think alike. Having bought an E-P3 I personally do not think it is a huge upgrade IQ wise. But having a snappy AF do give me an illusion that I am using a better camera. The same goes for the reviews. Picture wise I think they are more less the same with the previous PENs with a few tweaks maybe but then, I don’t understand the positive reviews.
And remember the GF3, which was trashed for its ugliness and “castrated” functions? Well, in where I live(Asia), they sell really well with the ladies. Even my wife traded her LX5 for a GF3.
So I am glad that we are not the marketing people.
chi
2 years ago |look and feel of a camera to me is as important as IQ, and the ep3 just looks sexy as hell.
Neonart
2 years ago |It’s true. While we would love to say that it’s all about the image, the fact is that the heart desires what the eyes admire. Just look at cars. The most important thing for cars is how they drive, but a vast majority first look at style. How something appeals to the eyes makes a big initial impact.
Currently retro is in, and Oly has this right. The EP3 with no grip in silver is gorgeous.
Now add to that very good image quality, fast auto focus, a great lens selection, and a system with support from more than one brand, and you have a winner. Same for the EPL3 and EPM1. While not as “retro” still beautiful.
Just check how Douglas Brown from Luminous Landscape described (and reacted to) the EPL3:
“Sleek, thin, stylish and just irresistible in Gun Metal Grey (which really should be called Titanium) with the retro styled 12mm attached this is the ultimate street shooter / photojournalist close in camera, not to mention it wouldn’t look out of place in a jeweler’s display case.”
Hopefully Olympus will get their marketing game up as well.
Din
2 years ago |A copy of NX100…
safaridon
2 years ago |I follow these BCN sales rankings in Japan and Amazon worldwide for indications of future trends. The previous week in Japan the new EP3 shot up in the rankings. Now the initial rush is over and the reality of its high prices and competition from within by fire sales of EPL1 have put on a damper. I expect that Olys other less expensive models will do well as soon as the sales on older models are gone. Pany continues to do very well with its new GF3 compact inspite of sales for the GF2 while the G3 remains steady and may be short in supply from lack of supply for its new sensor hence few models available? While the DSLR style Panys are not as popular they still have 4 models in the top 80 cameras.
What does seem more remarkable to me is how dominent Pany appears to be in m4/3 for now in US capturing 16 out of the top 20 spots? Given all the Oly fans on these forums I find this very puzzling? Maybe Pany will take note that they actually can sell a bundle of cameras if they are willing to make them available in stores in the US as now happening to a greater degree. Overall in the interchangeable lens camera sales in US Pany has 12 of the top 100 models starting with the #20 GF2.
In UK again Pany is dominating the mirrorless market with all models doing relatively well with the G3 in the #1 spot. Of the top 40 models Pany ownes 14.
Given the above figures it seems strange as reported that Pany can be losing money on their camera business (?) and I expect most of the losses are really from their sales of TVs etc. and hope that does not impact their delivery of the projected new GFP and GH3 models at end of year.