Olympus PEN E-PL3

The Olympus PEN E-PL3 is a compact 12-megapixel Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera with a Live MOS sensor, a tilting 3-inch 460k-dot LCD, 6fps burst shooting, and HD video at up to 60fps — all in a body weighing just 313 grams.

Key Specifications

• Sensor: 12MP Four Thirds Live MOS, crop factor 2.0x
• Lens Mount: Micro Four Thirds — compatible with a huge range of Olympus and Panasonic lenses
• Autofocus: 35-point contrast-detect AF with live view
• Burst Speed: Up to 6 frames per second
• ISO Range: 200–12800
• Shutter Speed: 60 seconds to 1/4000s, rated for 100,000 actuations
• Video: 1280×720 HD at up to 60fps with built-in microphone
• Screen: Articulating 3-inch LCD (460,000 dots) — no touchscreen, no built-in viewfinder
• Connectivity: HDMI out, SD card storage, hot shoe for external flash
• Weight: 313g body only — genuinely pocketable with a pancake lens

What makes the Olympus PEN E-PL3 special?

The E-PL3 sits in an interesting spot in the PEN lineup. It sits above the entry-level PEN Mini in terms of physical controls and external dials, while staying noticeably more compact and approachable than the flagship E-P3. That middle-ground design is its biggest selling point: you get real manual control without the bulk of a more serious body.

The tilting LCD is genuinely useful — it flips down for overhead shots and street-level angles that fixed-screen cameras simply can't do comfortably. Pair that with the Micro Four Thirds lens ecosystem and you have access to outstanding glass like the Panasonic 20mm f/1.7 or the Olympus 17mm f/1.8, both of which keep the whole kit extremely compact. The Live MOS sensor produces clean JPEG output with Olympus's characteristic colour rendering — punchy but natural — and RAW files give you solid latitude in post.

Compared to more modern alternatives like the Fujifilm X-A7 or the Sony ZV-E10, the E-PL3 is undeniably older technology: no Wi-Fi, no touchscreen, and HD-only video rather than 4K. But for someone who wants a lightweight second-hand mirrorless camera for everyday photography and isn't chasing the latest specs, it remains a capable and well-built little body. The 100,000-shutter-cycle rating tells you Olympus built it to last.

Who is the Olympus PEN E-PL3 for?

The E-PL3 is a natural fit for a few different types of photographer:

• Travel photographers on a budget: At 313g it barely registers in a bag. The articulating screen makes it easy to shoot from unusual angles without drawing attention. Browse the full range of mirrorless cameras if you want to compare it against other lightweight options.
• Beginners stepping up from a smartphone: The 35-point AF, 6fps burst, and JPEG + RAW support give a new photographer real results quickly. RAW support means you can grow into manual editing at your own pace.
• Street photographers who want to stay discreet: The PEN design is unassuming and small. Add a pancake lens and nobody looks twice.
• Olympus / Micro Four Thirds users needing a second body: If you already own MFT glass, picking up a used E-PL3 as a backup or a lightweight walkaround body makes a lot of sense — your lenses work straight away.

It's worth being honest about the limitations too. There's no built-in electronic viewfinder — the Viewfinder Type is listed as None, so composing happens entirely through the LCD. Video tops out at 720p HD, so if 4K footage matters to you, look at something newer. And the lack of Wi-Fi means transferring images requires a cable or card reader.

Buying a used Olympus PEN E-PL3

Buying a second-hand E-PL3 is a straightforward proposition if you know what to check. The shutter is rated to 100,000 actuations, so ask for or look up the shutter count before purchasing — most well-used copies will be well within that limit. The integrated sensor cleaning (supersonic wave filter) means dust on the sensor is less of a chronic issue than on cameras without it, but it's still worth reviewing a few test shots against a plain bright surface.

The articulating LCD hinge is the most mechanically stressed part on this body. Open and close it a few times to confirm it moves smoothly and holds position. Check that the hot shoe contacts are clean and undamaged if you plan to use an external flash.

Every pre-owned E-PL3 on Camera-tweedehands.nl is individually photographed and professionally inspected before listing. Each item comes with a minimum 12 months warranty — the exact period is shown on the variant listing — so you're covered if anything unexpected comes up after purchase. Buying a used Olympus body here isn't a gamble; it's a graded, warranted purchase.