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Cameras

How Fast Can the Olympus EP3 Focus?

Chris Gampat
No Comments
07/08/2011
2 Mins read
Picture 1

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.

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Chris Gampat is the Editor in Chief, Founder, and Publisher of the Phoblographer. He provides oversight to all of the daily tasks, including editorial, administrative, and advertising work. Chris's editorial work includes not only editing and scheduling articles but also writing them himself. He's the author of various product guides, educational pieces, product reviews, and interviews with photographers. He's fascinated by how photographers create, considering the fact that he's legally blind./ HIGHLIGHTS: Chris used to work in Men's lifestyle and tech. He's a veteran technology writer, editor, and reviewer with more than 15 years experience. He's also a Photographer that has had his share of bylines and viral projects like "Secret Order of the Slice." PAST BYLINES: Gear Patrol, PC Mag, Geek.com, Digital Photo Pro, Resource Magazine, Yahoo! News, Yahoo! Finance, IGN, PDN, and others. EXPERIENCE: Chris Gampat began working in tech and art journalism both in 2008. He started at PCMag, Magnum Photos, and Geek.com. He founded the Phoblographer in 2009 after working at places like PDN and Photography Bay. He left his day job as the Social Media Content Developer at B&H Photo in the early 2010s. Since then, he's evolved as a publisher using AI ethically, coming up with ethical ways to bring in affiliate income, and preaching the word of diversity in the photo industry. His background and work has spread to non-profits like American Photographic Arts where he's done work to get photographers various benefits. His skills are in SEO, app development, content planning, ethics management, photography, Wordpress, and other things. EDUCATION: Chris graduated Magna Cum Laude from Adelphi University with a degree in Communications in Journalism in 2009. Since then, he's learned and adapted to various things in the fields of social media, SEO, app development, e-commerce development, HTML, etc. FAVORITE SUBJECT TO PHOTOGRAPH: Chris enjoys creating conceptual work that makes people stare at his photos. But he doesn't get to do much of this because of the high demand of photography content. / BEST PHOTOGRAPHY TIP: Don't do it in post-production when you can do it in-camera.
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