Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic ZS20

Below is a extended analysis of the Olympus E-3 versus Panasonic ZS20, one being a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. There is a crucial difference among the image resolutions of the E-3 (10MP) and ZS20 (14MP) and the E-3 (Four Thirds) and ZS20 (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-3 was introduced 5 years earlier than the ZS20 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Panasonic ZS20 being a Compact camera.

Before delving in to a detailed comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the E-3 grades against the ZS20 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus E-3 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20. The whole galleries are viewable at Olympus E-3 Gallery and Panasonic ZS20 Gallery.

If you are aiming to lug around your camera often, you will want to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-3 has physical measurements of 142mm x 116mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 890 grams (1.96 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS20 has proportions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-3 versus Panasonic ZS20 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the E-3 compared to the ZS20.

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the E-3 and ZS20 is 56 and 92 respectively.

Generally, it is very hard to visualise the gap in sensor measurements merely by looking through specs. The visual underneath will provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the E-3 and ZS20.

All in all, both of the cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The E-3 using its larger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field simpler and the Panasonic ZS20 will render greater detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics much more aggressively. The older E-3 will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.