Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic ZR1

Its time to look more closely at the Olympus E-3 versus Panasonic ZR1, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-3 (10MP) and the ZR1 (12MP) is very well matched but the E-3 (Four Thirds) and ZR1 (1/2.3") provide different sensor sizes.

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The E-3 was introduced 17 months earlier than the ZR1 making them a generation away from one another. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Panasonic ZR1 being a Compact camera.

Before delving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple summary of how the E-3 scores against the ZR1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus E-3 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1. The whole galleries are provided at Olympus E-3 Gallery and Panasonic ZR1 Gallery.

For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera regularly, you need to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus E-3 has got exterior dimensions of 142mm x 116mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") with a weight of 890 grams (1.96 lbs) while the Panasonic ZR1 has sizing of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-3 versus Panasonic ZR1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Following is a front view scale comparison of the E-3 versus the ZR1.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-3 and ZR1 is 56 and 94 respectively.

Quite often, it can be difficult to visualize the difference between sensor sizes only by checking a spec sheet. The pic below should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the E-3 and ZR1.

As you can see, each of the cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The E-3 with its larger sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF simpler and the Panasonic ZR1 will give you more detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics a bit more aggressively. The more aged E-3 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.