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Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
58
Imaging
48
Features
76
Overall
59
Olympus E-5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs

Olympus E-5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • 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
  • Launched February 2011
  • Replaced the Olympus E-3
Panasonic ZS3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Released May 2009
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ7
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Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview

The following is a thorough comparison of the Olympus E-5 versus Panasonic ZS3, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-5 (12MP) and the ZS3 (10MP) is fairly close but the E-5 (Four Thirds) and ZS3 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-5 was launched 21 months after the ZS3 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Panasonic ZS3 being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the E-5 grades versus the ZS3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-5 over the Panasonic ZS3

 E-5 ZS3 
ReleasedFebruary 2011May 2009Newer by 21 months
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution920k460kCrisper display (+460k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Olympus E-5

 ZS3 E-5 

Common features in the Olympus E-5 and Panasonic ZS3

 E-5 ZS3 
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurements
Touch display Neither has Touch display

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to travel with your camera frequently, you need to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-5 has exterior dimensions of 143mm x 117mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS3 has measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-5 versus Panasonic ZS3 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use at that time. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the E-5 against the ZS3.

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the E-5 and ZS3 is 58 and 91 respectively.

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very tough to visualise the difference in sensor dimensions simply by researching technical specs. The picture underneath will help offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-5 and ZS3.

As you can tell, each of these cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The E-5 due to its larger sensor will make getting shallower DOF less difficult and the Olympus E-5 will render greater detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics far more aggressively. The more recent E-5 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZS3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-5 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Portrait photography camera
60
manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
19
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-5 Street photography factors
Panasonic ZS3 Street photography factors
71
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (229 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-5 Sports photography info
Panasonic ZS3 Sports photography info
59
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
environment proof
supports phase detect autofocus
max frames per second very slow (5.0 fps)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-5 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic ZS3 Travel photography highlights
56
environment proof
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
missing Time Lapse recording
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
63
lighter than competitors in class (229 grams)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
long reach (300mm)
no Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-5
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS3
65
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
has double storage slots
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse recording
35
relatively wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
manual exposure not possible
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-5 Vlogging details
Panasonic ZS3 Vlogging details
64
selfie friendly display
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection autofocus
comes with external mic port
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
30
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (229g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not offer selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone support
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Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-5 and Panasonic ZS3
 Olympus E-5Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus E-5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Also called as - Lumix DMC-TZ7
Type Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2011-02-03 2009-05-14
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic V+ -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 11 11
Cross type focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-300mm (12.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing distance - 3cm
Available lenses 45 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 920k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech 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 5.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 18.00 m (at ISO 200) 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB 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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
Microphone 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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 800g (1.76 lb) 229g (0.50 lb)
Dimensions 143 x 117 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.5 not tested
DXO Low light rating 519 not tested
Other
Battery life 870 images -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLM-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II)/SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots Two One
Cost at release $1,700 $200