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Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic ZR3

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
42
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-P2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
26
Overall
32

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic ZR3 Key Specs

Olympus E-P2
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 355g - 121 x 70 x 36mm
  • Introduced April 2010
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-P1
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-P3
Panasonic ZR3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 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
  • 159g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Revealed January 2010
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-ZX3
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Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic ZR3 Overview

Here is a extended analysis of the Olympus E-P2 and Panasonic ZR3, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-P2 (12MP) and the ZR3 (14MP) is relatively close but the E-P2 (Four Thirds) and ZR3 (1/2.3") posses totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-P2 was introduced 3 months later than the ZR3 so they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-P2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZR3 being a Compact camera.

Before getting right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple summary of how the E-P2 scores vs the ZR3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P2 over the Panasonic ZR3

 E-P2 ZR3 
Manually focus More exact focus
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Olympus E-P2

 ZR3 E-P2 

Common features in the Olympus E-P2 and Panasonic ZR3

 E-P2 ZR3 
RevealedApril 2010January 2010Same age
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic ZR3 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry your camera, you need to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-P2 has outer measurements of 121mm x 70mm x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") having a weight of 355 grams (0.78 lbs) and the Panasonic ZR3 has measurements of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-P2 and Panasonic ZR3 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the E-P2 versus the ZR3.

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic ZR3 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-P2 and ZR3 is 86 and 94 respectively.

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic ZR3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic ZR3 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be tough to visualise the gap in sensor sizing simply by viewing specs. The photograph here may provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the E-P2 and ZR3.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-P2 with its bigger sensor will make getting shallower depth of field easier and the Panasonic ZR3 will result in more detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs a bit more aggressively.

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic ZR3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-P2
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZR3
60
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
has face detect focus
delivers RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
28
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
no manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-P2 Street photography details
Panasonic ZR3 Street photography details
74
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
no articulating screen
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-P2 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZR3 as a Sports photography camera
40
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
continuous shooting slow (3.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12MP)
bad battery life (300 per charge)
has no phase detect auto focus
36
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
comes with tracking focus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,300s)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P2 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZR3 as a Travel photography camera
43
no Time Lapse recording
bad battery life (300 CIPA)
megapixel count low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
64
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
does not feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-P2 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic ZR3 Landscape photography factors
60
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
bad battery life (300 CIPA)
no Time Lapse recording
37
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
no manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P2 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZR3 as a Vlogging camera
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focus
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic jack
29
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone port
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Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic ZR3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P2 and Panasonic ZR3
 Olympus PEN E-P2Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-P2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-ZX3
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2010-04-22 2010-01-26
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic V Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-200mm (8.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus range - 3cm
Total lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD with AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1300 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 5.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported 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 file format Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 355 grams (0.78 lbs) 159 grams (0.35 lbs)
Physical dimensions 121 x 70 x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") 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 21.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.4 not tested
DXO Low light score 505 not tested
Other
Battery life 300 photographs -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model BLS-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $799 $280