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Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZR1

Portability
71
Imaging
53
Features
85
Overall
65
Olympus OM-D E-M1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZR1 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 497g - 130 x 94 x 63mm
  • Introduced October 2013
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-M1 II
Panasonic ZR1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 158g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Announced July 2009
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-ZX1
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Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZR1 Overview

Lets take a closer look at the Olympus E-M1 versus Panasonic ZR1, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a huge gap among the resolutions of the E-M1 (16MP) and ZR1 (12MP) and the E-M1 (Four Thirds) and ZR1 (1/2.3") use different sensor size.

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The E-M1 was launched 4 years after the ZR1 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZR1 being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the E-M1 scores against the ZR1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Panasonic ZR1

 E-M1 ZR1 
AnnouncedOctober 2013July 2009More modern by 52 months
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1037k230kCrisper screen (+807k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR1 over the Olympus E-M1

 ZR1 E-M1 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 and Panasonic ZR1

 E-M1 ZR1 
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZR1 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus E-M1 has physical measurements of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") with a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs) and the Panasonic ZR1 has sizing of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") along with a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-M1 versus Panasonic ZR1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have attached at the time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the E-M1 compared to the ZR1.

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZR1 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 and ZR1 is 71 and 94 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZR1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZR1 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be hard to imagine the difference in sensor sizes merely by seeing a spec sheet. The picture below will offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M1 and ZR1.

Clearly, both cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The E-M1 featuring a bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field simpler and the Olympus E-M1 will produce greater detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The younger E-M1 provides a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZR1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZR1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZR1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic ZR1 Portrait photography highlights
71
manual focus
high flash sync (1/320s)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
21
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Street photography advice
Panasonic ZR1 Street photography advice
78
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
has touch focus
weather sealing
lighter than others in class (497g)
above average ISO range (25,600)
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Sports photography features
Panasonic ZR1 Sports photography features
70
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
weather sealing
has phase detect AF
low battery pack (350 shots)
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M1
Travel photography with Panasonic ZR1
65
lighter than others in class (497 grams)
weather sealing
has touch focus
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
low battery pack (350 per charge)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
57
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Landscape photography features
Panasonic ZR1 Landscape photography features
73
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
low battery pack (350 CIPA)
32
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZR1 as a Vlogging camera
36
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has external mic socket
lighter than others in class (497 grams)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
28
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone jack
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Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic ZR1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 and Panasonic ZR1
 Olympus OM-D E-M1Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-ZX1
Category Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2013-10-28 2009-07-27
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePIC VII Venus Engine 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 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 25600 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 81 11
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-200mm (8.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus distance - 3cm
Available lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 1,037k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 5.10 m
Flash modes Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain), Manual Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/320 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 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)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format H.264, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 497 grams (1.10 pounds) 158 grams (0.35 pounds)
Dimensions 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 73 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.7 not tested
DXO Low light score 757 not tested
Other
Battery life 350 photographs -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model BLN-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $799 $280