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Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZR1

Portability
58
Imaging
48
Features
76
Overall
59
Olympus E-5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZR1 Key Specs

Olympus E-5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 800g - 143 x 117 x 75mm
  • Announced February 2011
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-3
Panasonic ZR1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 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
  • 158g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Launched July 2009
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-ZX1
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Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZR1 Overview

On this page, we are reviewing the Olympus E-5 and Panasonic ZR1, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-5 (12MP) and the ZR1 (12MP) is fairly well matched but the E-5 (Four Thirds) and ZR1 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-5 was launched 19 months after the ZR1 making them a generation away from each other. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Panasonic ZR1 being a Compact camera.

Before delving right into a complete comparison, here is a concise summation of how the E-5 grades versus the ZR1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-5 over the Panasonic ZR1

 E-5 ZR1 
LaunchedFebruary 2011July 2009More modern by 19 months
Manually focus More precise focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kClearer display (+690k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR1 over the Olympus E-5

 ZR1 E-5 

Common features in the Olympus E-5 and Panasonic ZR1

 E-5 ZR1 
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZR1 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry around your camera regularly, you should take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-5 has got physical dimensions of 143mm x 117mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZR1 has dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") with a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-5 and Panasonic ZR1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you select at that time. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the E-5 versus the ZR1.

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZR1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the E-5 and ZR1 is 58 and 94 respectively.

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZR1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZR1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's hard to see the gap between sensor sizes merely by reading through a spec sheet. The pic below will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-5 and ZR1.

Clearly, both the cameras provide the same resolution but not the same sensor sizes. The E-5 uses the larger sensor which is going to make getting shallow depth of field less difficult. The more modern E-5 will have an edge in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZR1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZR1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZR1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-5 Portrait photography features
Panasonic ZR1 Portrait photography features
60
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
21
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus E-5 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZR1 as a Street photography camera
71
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
environment proof
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-5
Sports photography with Panasonic ZR1
59
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
environment proof
comes with phase detect autofocus
slow fps (5.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-5 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic ZR1 Travel photography highlights
56
environment proof
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
no Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
57
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-5 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZR1 as a Landscape photography camera
65
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
environment proof
two card slots
sensor resolution low (12MP)
no Time Lapse mode
32
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual control
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-5 Vlogging advice
Panasonic ZR1 Vlogging advice
64
display is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect autofocus
does have mic socket
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
28
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic socket
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Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZR1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-5 and Panasonic ZR1
 Olympus E-5Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus E-5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-ZX1
Category Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2011-02-03 2009-07-27
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic V+ Venus Engine V
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 11
Cross focus points 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
Total lenses 45 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 920k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology HyperCrystal transmissive LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 5.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 18.00 m (at ISO 200) 5.10 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250 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), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 800 grams (1.76 lb) 158 grams (0.35 lb)
Physical dimensions 143 x 117 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.5 not tested
DXO Low light score 519 not tested
Other
Battery life 870 pictures -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model BLM-5 -
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 SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots 2 1
Price at release $1,700 $280