Sony Cinema Line FX30 vs OM System PEN E-PL3
Sony Cinema Line FX30
OM System PEN E-PL3 Red
What Buyers Say
Sony Cinema Line FX30
The Sony FX30 is overwhelmingly praised as a top-tier cinema camera for its price, delivering superb image quality, excellent autofocus, and robust features like dual base ISO and XLR audio. Users highlight its value as a beginner-friendly yet professional-grade tool, with many noting it rivals more expensive models like the FX3. Minor criticisms include the lack of a viewfinder, a complicated menu system, and some software quirks, but these are largely overshadowed by its performance and versatility.
Pros
- Superb image quality
- Excellent autofocus
- Great value for price
- Dual base ISO
- XLR audio handle
Cons
- No viewfinder
- Complicated menu system
- Rolling shutter could be better
- No shutter angle option
- No open gate mode
OM System PEN E-PL3 Red
The Olympus PEN E-PL3 is praised for its sharp image quality, solid build, and excellent value at around $259, especially for outdoor and macro photography. However, users report significant noise at higher ISOs, slow autofocus in low light, and a confusing menu system. The proprietary battery and fragile battery door are also common complaints.
Pros
- Sharp image quality
- Solid build quality
- Excellent value for money
- Good outdoor and macro performance
- Compact and lightweight system
Cons
- Noise at high ISO
- Slow autofocus in low light
- Confusing menu system
- Proprietary battery
- Fragile battery door latch
Scores
Specifications
| Sony Cinema Line FX30 | OM System PEN E-PL3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | ||
| Type | Exmor R CMOS | CMOS |
| Size | aps-c | micro-four-thirds |
| Megapixels | 26 MP★ | 12.300000190734863 MP |
| ISO Range | 100 | 100 |
| Processor | BIONZ XR | TruePic VI |
| Autofocus | ||
| AF Points | ||
| AF Type | Fast Hybrid AF (phase-detection AF / contrast-detection AF) | — |
| Eye AF | ✓ | ✓ |
| Animal AF | ✓★ | — |
| Subject Detection | ✓★ | — |
| Shooting | ||
| Burst (Mechanical) | 120 fps★ | 5 fps |
| Burst (Electronic) | 120 fps★ | — |
| Max Shutter | 1/8000 | — |
| Electronic Shutter | ✓★ | — |
| Video | ||
| Max Resolution | 4K★ | 1080p |
| 4K FPS | 120 fps★ | — |
| 1080p FPS | 240 fps★ | 60 fps |
| 10-bit | ✓★ | — |
| Log Profile | ✓★ | — |
| RAW Video | ✓★ | — |
| Codec | H.264, H.265 | AVCHD, AVI |
| Display & EVF | ||
| Screen Size | 3" | 3" |
| Touchscreen | ✓ | ✓ |
| Articulating | ✓ | ✓ |
| EVF Resolution | 2.4M dots★ | — |
| Build | ||
| Weather Sealed | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Weight | 0.65 kg★ | 1.07 kg |
| Battery Life | 570 shots★ | — |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wi-Fi | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Bluetooth | ✓★ | — |
| USB | USB Type-C | — |
| HDMI | HDMI Type-A | — |
| Hot Shoe | ✓ | ✓ |
Pros & Cons
Sony Cinema Line FX30
- Strong burst (100th percentile)100th %ile
- Strong af (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong battery (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong connectivity (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Below average affordability (17th percentile)17th %ile
OM System PEN E-PL3 Red
- Strong display (88th percentile)88th %ile
- Strong stabilization (79th percentile)
- Below average affordability (0th percentile)0th %ile
- Below average af (5th percentile)5th %ile
- Below average sensor (10th percentile)10th %ile
- Below average user sentiment (17th percentile)17th %ile
Pricing
Sony Cinema Line FX30
OM System PEN E-PL3 Red
No current pricing available
Verdict
Scores 97 overall, wins 10 of 10 usage categories and 19 of 33 specs.
