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Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic ZR3

Portability
59
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus E-1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
26
Overall
32

Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic ZR3 Key Specs

Olympus E-1
(Full Review)
  • 5MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 735g - 141 x 104 x 81mm
  • Introduced November 2003
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-3
Panasonic ZR3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 159g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Announced January 2010
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-ZX3
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Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic ZR3 Overview

Here, we are comparing the Olympus E-1 and Panasonic ZR3, former is a Pro DSLR while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. There is a sizable difference between the resolutions of the E-1 (5MP) and ZR3 (14MP) and the E-1 (Four Thirds) and ZR3 (1/2.3") posses totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-1 was announced 7 years earlier than the ZR3 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-1 being a Large SLR camera and the Panasonic ZR3 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the E-1 grades against the ZR3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-1 over the Panasonic ZR3

 E-1 ZR3 
Manual focus Dial exact focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Olympus E-1

 ZR3 E-1 
AnnouncedJanuary 2010November 2003Newer by 75 months
Display size2.7"1.8"Larger display (+0.9")
Display resolution230k134kCrisper display (+96k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-1 and Panasonic ZR3

 E-1 ZR3 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic ZR3 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to travel with your camera frequently, you will have to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus E-1 enjoys outer dimensions of 141mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") and a weight of 735 grams (1.62 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZR3 has sizing of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

See the Olympus E-1 and Panasonic ZR3 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the E-1 compared to the ZR3.

Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic ZR3 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the E-1 and ZR3 is 59 and 94 respectively.

Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic ZR3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic ZR3 Sensor Comparison

Often, its hard to envision the difference between sensor dimensions merely by checking a spec sheet. The pic underneath should provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-1 and ZR3.

Clearly, the 2 cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The E-1 using its larger sensor will make getting bokeh simpler and the Panasonic ZR3 will resolve extra detail with its extra 9MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics way more aggressively. The more aged E-1 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic ZR3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-1
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZR3
46
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview feature
low resolution sensor (5MP)
28
good resolution (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-1 Street photography highlights
Panasonic ZR3 Street photography highlights
57
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
lighter than competition (735 grams)
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-1
Sports photography with Panasonic ZR3
40
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
environment proof
supports phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
max frames per second very slow (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (5 megapixels)
36
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
max shutter speed is low (1/1,300s)
slow fps (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-1 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZR3 as a Travel photography camera
47
lighter than competition (735g)
environment proof
missing Time Lapse mode
low resolution sensor (5 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
64
good resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-1 Landscape photography features
Panasonic ZR3 Landscape photography features
46
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
screen is small (1.8")
no liveview feature
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (5 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse mode
37
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-1
Vlogging with Panasonic ZR3
9
no video recording
29
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic support
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Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic ZR3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-1 and Panasonic ZR3
 Olympus E-1Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus E-1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-ZX3
Type Pro DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2003-11-29 2010-01-26
Physical type Large SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 5MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 2560 x 1920 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 3 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-200mm (8.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus distance - 3cm
Amount of lenses 45 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 1.8" 2.7"
Resolution of display 134 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.48x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1300 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 5.30 m
Flash options Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1280x720
Video format - AVCHD Lite
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 735 grams (1.62 pounds) 159 grams (0.35 pounds)
Physical dimensions 141 x 104 x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $1,700 $280