How Fast Can the Olympus EP3 Focus?

The Olympus EP3 claims to be a faster focusing camera than even the likes of the Canon 1D Mk IV (review here) according to Olympus’ internal testing. I decided to put the little camera against the next best thing: the Canon 7D. The 7D has some beastly autofocus algorithms and is almost always reliable no matter what. Take a look at the video below and then check out our analysis.

The Video Test

Our Analysis

As it is, both cameras use different autofocusing algorithms: the Olympus E-P3 uses contrast detection and at its fastest the Canon 7D uses phase detection. Both focusing systems work very differently. Up until now, phase detection has always wiped the floor with contrast autofocus (that typically used in point and shoots). As we’ve seen in this test though, it’s now a very close race.

In my eyes, they’re very similar with the EP-3 taking the edge just a bit here.

To be fair, the 7D has lots more glass to move than the EP3 but the lens has a superfast motor as it is.

What Does this Mean in Real Life?

Shooting Events- They should be neck in neck. Canon’s lens lineup is so much better though.

Shooting Portraits- No need to micro adjust the Micro Four Thirds lenses! However, keep in mind the other factors: like Canon’s ultimately better rendering of skin.

Sports- The 7D wins here because of the fast FPS rate mixed with its already very good focusing.

Street Photography- Go with the EP3 due to the size and speed.

Weddings- This would be an interesting test to see. Granted, the 7D has a more rugged body. But the focusing speed of the EP3 can help capture those extremely candid moments.

Landscapes- The 7D has an overall better dynamic range and color depth. Plus combine that with the more rugged body: the 7D is a no brainer.

Night shooting- 7D due to the much better versatility and control that it allows.

For more you can read our full Olympus EP3 review or our Canon 7D review.

Please Support the Phoblographer

We love to bring you guys the latest and greatest news and gear related stuff. However, we can’t keep doing that unless we have your continued support. If you would like to purchase any of the items mentioned, please do so by clicking our link and then purchasing the items as we then get a small portion of the sale to help run the website.

Tagged as: autofocus, canon 7d, e-p3, ep-3, ep3, olympus, review, test

Anonymous

Would you mind doing a test in low light? I think that and tracking AF (AI Servo in Canon parlance) are the big question marks right now. A tracking AF test would be great too although probably harder to setup. Thanks for your time.
- Chris Gampat
  
  I’ve tested the EP3 in low light in other videos at youtube.com/redrosemassacre1. It will win vs the 7D, but very slightly.
Anonymous

Would you mind doing a test in low light? I think that and tracking AF (AI Servo in Canon parlance) are the big question marks right now. A tracking AF test would be great too although probably harder to setup. Thanks for your time.
Anonymous

Would you mind doing a test in low light? I think that and tracking AF (AI Servo in Canon parlance) are the big question marks right now. A tracking AF test would be great too although probably harder to setup. Thanks for your time.
Kalle

Redo the same test in a dark church trying to replicate capturing candid moments of a wedding.
- Anonymous
  
  Wish I could. That would be awesome. I did test it in low light though at youtube.com/redrosemassacre1 if that helps…
http://twitter.com/bycostello chris costello

New panasonic GF3 meant to way faster stilll
http://twitter.com/smak67 Lourens Smak

Would like to see the same test in a dimmer situation, and also the same test with one of the outer focusing points… AF-tracking would also be very interesting to see.

For a “focusing test” I find the remarks about higher fps, ruggedness etc. a bit lame. The 7D might be a “no brainer” for landscapes for you, but carrying very small and lightweight equipment was *extremely* important to Galen Rowell, just to name a famous landscape photographer. (I’m sure Ansel Adams would disagree though) It’s just a fact that for many types of photography (including events, weddings, landscape, and street) being mobile is very, very important, and carrying a 10 Kg backpack has never made anyone more mobile.

As a user of both Olympus and Canon I find the skintone remark a bit weird. Olympus has better colours straight out of the box in my experience. (but standard PEN settings seem to have too much saturation.) The PENs do have noticeably less dynamic range though, than for example the E5 or Canon. A factor I personally like for portraits is the 3:4 ratio… MUCH better than 2:3 for portraits, in my humble opinion. (And even more so with 2 people in the frame, like with weddings…)

Thanks for making and posting the focusing movie!
- Anonymous
  
  The outer AF points is where the 7D will win for the most part. As I’ve noted before in the full review, the EP3 is a bit weaker there.
  
  Those remarks are for overall evaluation because I knew that readers would ask. If you want a better dynamic range you may have to wait a bit, or shoot medium format film! I actually digg Mamiya 7 rangefinders.
  
  It’s not a weird statement at all. Canon’s colors and rendering and much more film-like. In fact, I’d say their skin rendering is a bit like Portra but not quite there.
  
  Thanks for the words!
Igor Kelc

“keep in mind the other factors: like Canon’s ultimately better rendering of skin.”

You got to be kidding, right?
- Kalle
  
  Why would be kidding? Of course a larger, better sensor with high quality optics will render skin better. Even going from “kit lenses” to L-grade lenses give a significant better skin capture.
  - Anonymous
    
    I’m also assuming that he hasn’t tried a Hasselblad at all. Not trying to troll at all.
- Chris Gampat
  
  Oh no, not at all.
- Anonymous
  
  Explain…
http://www.facebook.com/jereminov Dragan Jereminov

i like to see focusing in extremly low light and night street photography test of E-P3, also the AF assist lamp if it has one..
- Chris Gampat
  
  See youtube.com/redrosemassacre1
- Anonymous
  
  The EP3 does have an AF assist lamp, it’s very good actually. Especially when I tested it in Penn Station NY during the full review. You can take a look at that test and my videos if you’d like.
http://www.galapinoyredux.com Cedric

Based on this test and a few other tests I’ve seen so far, it’s without a doubt that the EP-3′s focusing speed is really amazing. But I guess focusing via the viewfinder might a different story.
- Anonymous
  
  Hi Cedric,
  
  Phase detection and contrast are very different beasts. As I stated, the 7D’s contrast AF isn’t that great at all.
- Anonymous
  
  Hi Cedric,
  
  Phase detection and contrast are very different beasts. As I stated, the 7D’s contrast AF isn’t that great at all.
Pingback: More E-P3 noise and autofocus tests! (very interesting!) « b r e a k m e l o d y
Aba

clearly EP3 wins!
Pingback: How Fast Can the Olympus EP3 Focus? – The Phoblographer (blog)
Gm

Thanks for the test! The results are very interesting. I have to say the comparison is a bit unfair though. I imagine most DSLR shooters who need speed (action photographers, low light etc) use the center point, which, in my experience, is much faster than enabling all AF points. I personally almost exclusively use the center point and my focusing speed on 5DMkII & 40D tends to be much faster than what you showed.
- Chris Gampat
  
  The 5D mk II was designed for the studio photographer that uses the center point and then recomposes. The D3s, D300s, D7000, D700, 1D Mk IV, and 7D were not designed like that. I actually use a particular zone and keep said zone over my subject. As I pan with it, the points in that zone stay focused on that object.
  
  That’s for action though. Consider the fact that there are so many people out there not shooting that stuff with the 7D. In fact, they’ll use it as their play thing.
  
  We all do it.
Pingback: Olympus E-P3 har verkligen snabb autofokus | iPortal
baov

this will be king of street, leica is dead with its retarded center spot manual focus only
this thing focus fast and anywhere in the field of view!
Pingback: Reviews: Olympus PEN E-P3 » Photo Video Online [en]
Pingback: Which One? Sony NEX C3 vs Olympus EP3 at The Phoblographer
Pingback: Quick Review: Sony NEX 5N (And Comparison to the C3 and Olympus EP3) at The Phoblographer
wiciox.flog.pl

OMG! That EP3 is rlly fast…but rlly expensive too…
wiciox.flog.pl

OMG! That EP3 is rlly fast…but rlly expensive too…
Iji

7D with 17-40L f4.0 is much much faster
Iji

7D with 17-40L f4.0 is much much faster
Pingback: An Analysis of Apple’s iPhone 4S Camera: What We Know So Far at The Phoblographer
Pingback: Review: Sony NEX 5n at The Phoblographer