Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic ZS70

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic ZS70: A Deep Dive into Two Unique Worlds of Photography

When I first laid hands on the Olympus PEN E-P3 and the Panasonic Lumix ZS70, I was struck by how differently they approach the photography experience. Though both are compact in their own ways, they cater to distinct photographic sensibilities shaped by their form factors, sensor sizes, and intended uses. Having tested thousands of cameras over my 15+ years in the field, I find comparisons like this one particularly insightful because they unlock nuanced decisions for enthusiasts and pros alike.

In this comprehensive review, I will walk you through the technical heart, practical real-world performance, and ultimately, how each camera aligns with different styles and photographic ambitions. Along the way, I’ll share personal impressions from my field tests that go beyond datasheets - offering a grounded, genuinely helpful perspective for your next purchase.

The Tale of Two Bodies: Ergonomics and Handling in Focus

Right off the bat, these cameras feel worlds apart. The Olympus E-P3, a rangefinder-style mirrorless from 2011, embraces classic mirrorless ergonomics with a metal chassis and a distinctly retro charm. The Panasonic ZS70, introduced in 2017, is a superzoom compact with a more utilitarian shape, designed for maximum versatility and portability.

The Olympus measures 122 x 69 x 34 mm and weighs 369g; it fits nicely in my hand with enough heft to feel reassuring without being cumbersome during prolonged handheld sessions. The ZS70 is slightly smaller and lighter at 112 x 67 x 41 mm and 322g, slipping easily into jacket pockets or small bags - ideal for travel.

Handling-wise, the Olympus has a more tactile, mechanical feel. Its top plate, peppered with direct access dials and buttons, invites manual control. The Panasonic places less emphasis on physical dials, compensating with an electronic viewfinder and a tilting rear screen to maintain composure during opportunistic framing.

Ergonomics boil down to your shooting style: Are you a hands-on photographer who thrives on control wheels and a solid grip? The Olympus may appeal more. Prefer nimble, grab-and-go convenience with a sprawling zoom? The ZS70 is your companion.

First Impressions Through the Viewfinder and Screen

Live view and framing tools have evolved a lot, and here’s where the two cameras reveal their generational differences.

The Olympus E-P3 lacks a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF) - one is optional and sold separately. It has a fixed 3-inch OLED touchscreen at 614k dots with an anti-fingerprint coating. The display is clear, but the resolution and size limit critical focus assessment or outdoor visibility.

The Panasonic ZS70 features a built-in electronic viewfinder with 1166k dots resolution, covering 100% of the frame. Its 3-inch touchscreen tilts upwards by 180° for selfies and creative angles, rendering at a sharper 1040k dots. I found the EVF a vital asset in bright conditions, where rear LCDs can wash out. The tilting screen also proved indispensable for street and travel shooting, offering flexible perspective control without awkward body contortions.

For photographers accustomed to shooting handheld in daylight or requiring fast, eye-level framing, the Panasonic’s integrated EVF and upgraded LCD give it a measurable edge.

Under the Sensor Hood: Size, Resolution, and Image Quality

One of the most telling technical contrasts here is in sensor technology. The Olympus sports a Four Thirds sensor (17.3x13 mm) - physically large relative to typical compacts but smaller than APS-C or full-frame sensors. Its 12MP CMOS chip is paired with the TruePic VI image processor.

By contrast, the Panasonic uses a diminutive 1/2.3” BSI-CMOS sensor (6.17x4.55 mm), typical of superzoom compacts, at 20MP. This sensor size explains much about image quality, depth of field control, and ISO performance differences.

In daylight landscape shooting, the Olympus’s larger sensor yields markedly better dynamic range (10.1 stops measured) and color depth (20.8 bits) than the Panasonic - though the latter’s 20MP count offers excellent detail at base ISO.

The Panasonic’s sensor is efficient for its size, supporting 4K video recording and a 30x zoom that rivals most bridge cameras. However, in low light, high ISO noise is more pronounced - the ZS70 maxes out at 3200 native ISO (expandable), whereas Olympus pushes to 12800, offering more flexibility in darker scenes.

Real-world test: When capturing urban nightscapes, the E-P3’s sensor proved less noisy and retained more shadow detail. The ZS70 managed respectable shots but required more careful noise reduction in post-processing.

Autofocus and Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Versatility

Autofocus is a critical factor across all genres, especially wildlife, sports, and street photography where moments are fleeting.

The Olympus E-P3 features a contrast-detection AF system with 35 focus points that includes face detection and tracking modes. It can shoot continuously at 3fps.

The Panasonic ZS70 boasts 49 AF points, employs contrast-based AF as well, and supports touch-based focus area selection with face detection. It ups the game with a 10fps burst rate.

In my hands-on trials, the Panasonic felt snappier when tracking moving subjects, assisted by its faster processor and burst shooting. The Olympus’s focusing, while precise in controlled conditions, was noticeably slower to lock onto erratically moving subjects like birds or children at play.

Both cameras lack phase detection, so in low contrast or dim environments, AF performance can falter, but the ZS70’s more recent design mitigates this better with improved low light AF.

Zoom and Lens Ecosystem: Versatility vs. Quality

This is a key area of divergence. The Olympus E-P3 embraces the Micro Four Thirds mount, tapping into an extensive ecosystem of over 100 native lenses - primes, zooms, macro optics, and specialty types.

This lens flexibility unlocks creative possibilities that compact cameras rarely match. From ultra-wide landscapes with a 7-14mm f/2.8, to delicate macro shoots with 60mm f/2.8, Olympus users can tailor optics to virtually any photographic genre.

The Panasonic ZS70 features a fixed 24-720mm equivalent F3.3-6.4 lens - a powerful 30x zoom package in a compact shell. While convenience is unbeatable for travel and casual shooting, the small aperture and integrated lens limit shallow depth of field for portraits or macro precision.

If your photography demands diverse optics or superior image quality via fast primes, the Olympus provides a compelling platform. If portability with reach and all-in-one convenience is your goal, Panasonic’s superzoom shines.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing: Durability for the Long Haul

Neither camera is weather-sealed or ruggedized, which is typical for their categories and price points. Both are built for careful handling and light to moderate use.

The Olympus’s metal chassis offers a premium feel and robust build compared to the Panasonic’s mostly plastic compact body. It can withstand the rigors of street shooting or studio use but isn’t designed for extreme outdoor conditions.

Battery Life and Storage: Staying Powered Longer

Battery endurance impacts shooting freedom, especially in travel or event photography.

The Olympus E-P3 uses the BLS-5 battery model, rated around 330 shots per charge in real use. The Panasonic ZS70 offers roughly 380 shots per charge. Both use single SD card slots with SD/SDHC/SDXC compatibility.

While neither excels for marathon sessions, the Panasonic’s slightly higher rating and more recent battery tech provide modest benefits.

Connectivity: Sharing and Streaming Ease

Connectivity options matter more than ever. The Olympus notably lacks built-in wireless or Bluetooth features, requiring cables for image transfer.

The Panasonic ZS70 includes built-in Wi-Fi for remote control and image sharing via smartphone apps - a huge convenience for casual shooters and travelers keen on on-the-fly social sharing.

Video Capabilities: The Modern Content Creator’s Toolbox

For budding videographers or vloggers, the Panasonic ZS70 offers clear advantages. It supports 4K UHD video at 30fps, has 4K photo modes to extract high-res stills from footage, and includes a tilting screen that aids selfie shooting.

The Olympus E-P3 tops out at 1080p at 60fps with AVCHD or Motion JPEG formats, absent of more recent enhancements such as 4K support. No microphone input or headphone jack exists on either model - a limiting factor for professional video work.

Performance Scores at a Glance

To summarize core performance aspects, here’s a comparative snapshot synthesizing DxO Mark data and field testing insights.

And for genre-specific suitability:

Real-World Photography Scenarios: Strengths and Weaknesses

Let me walk you through how these two cameras behave across the most popular photographic disciplines based on extended fieldwork.

Portrait Photography

The Olympus excels with its larger sensor and access to fast, sharp lenses. Skin tones render naturally with good color depth, and sensor-based stabilization helps with sharp handheld shots. The ZS70's variable aperture hampers creamy bokeh at long zoom ends, and smaller sensor size limits low light face detail.

Landscape Photography

Dynamic range and resolution favor the Olympus. Its 12MP sensor produces cleaner RAW files for detailed post-processing. The Panasonic struggles with noise in shadow areas and can’t match the lens quality needed for expansive vistas.

Wildlife and Sports

Burst speed and zoom influence here. Panasonic’s 10fps and 30x telephoto delivers instant framing for distant subjects, despite lower image quality and AF lag in some moments. Olympus can be precise but slower and less reach due to lens size and frame rate limits.

Street Photography

The Olympus’s retro appearance and manual controls invite discreet candid shooting. The Panasonic benefits from its compactness and tilting screen but has slower shutter speeds and less instant control.

Macro Photography

Olympus paired with dedicated macro lenses shines, offering true 1:1 magnification and precise manual focus aids. Panasonic’s 3cm macro mode is good for casual close-ups but lacks optical versatility and stabilization finesse for delicate focus stacking.

Night and Astro

The Four Thirds sensor renders cleaner high ISO performance. Both cameras lack built-in intervalometers or advanced astro modes, but Olympus files require less post noise reduction, key for star fields.

Video Shooting

Panasonic's 4K, tilting screen, and more modern formats make it the obvious choice for casual video creators. Olympus’s 1080p is adequate but limited by older codec and no mic input.

Travel Photography

Here the ZS70 stands out with all-in-one convenience, lightweight size, and long zoom range - a true travel camera for those prioritizing versatility over pristine image quality.

What’s in the Kit Bag? Lenses, Accessories, and Expandability

Olympus benefits from Micro Four Thirds native lenses and accessories such as the optional VF-2 EVF, external flashes, and adapters. This system flexibility lets photographers grow equipment tailored to their evolving style.

Panasonic ZS70’s fixed lens limits expansion but includes focus stacking and post-focus modes that mimic some creative manual control without adding gear.

Final Thoughts: Which Camera Fits Your Photography Journey?

The choice between Olympus PEN E-P3 and Panasonic Lumix ZS70 boils down to your photographic priorities - sensor size, shooting style, and desire for control versus convenience.

• If you crave image quality, manual control, and a lens ecosystem that grows with you, the Olympus E-P3 remains relevant despite its age - especially for portraits, landscapes, and macro work.

• If you want a lightweight, compact camera with powerful zoom, modern autofocus, 4K video, and easy sharing for travel and street photography, the Panasonic ZS70 delivers excellent value.

Olympus E P3 front Olympus E P3 screen back Panasonic ZS70 front

This image gallery reflects the differences in color rendition, dynamic range, and detail between the two. Notice the richer tonality from the Olympus and the Panasonic’s versatility across framing.

Recommendations by User Type

• Enthusiasts and Advanced Hobbyists: Embrace the Olympus for creative control and superior RAW image quality. Its lens ecosystem supports diverse genres with suitable glass.

• Travelers and Casual Shooters: The Panasonic’s compact build, 30x zoom, and 4K video cater to on-the-go shooting with minimal fuss.

• Vloggers and Content Creators: Panasonic takes the lead with video capabilities, touchscreen flexibility, and wireless connectivity.

• Budget-Minded Buyers: Since the Olympus E-P3 can often be found used at competitive prices, it offers a robust entry into system cameras. The ZS70 retails new at moderate cost with good features for its class.

Closing Notes on Testing Methodology and Disclosure

In preparing this analysis, I conducted several weeks of hands-on use with both cameras, capturing images across varying genres, lighting, and environments - from urban cityscapes and portraits to wildlife and night shooting. Metric scores are drawn from DxO Mark benchmarks and corroborated by subjective image assessments and responsiveness tests.

Neither Olympus nor Panasonic sponsored this review; my experiences reflect practical realities rather than marketing narratives.

In Summary: Bridging Experience and Innovation

Both the Olympus E-P3 and Panasonic ZS70 hold unique places in mirrorless and compact camera history. The E-P3 represents a transition into modern mirrorless with emphasis on control and image fidelity. The ZS70 encapsulates the evolution of compact superzoom versatility with contemporary video and connectivity.

Your ultimate pick depends on whether you value creative flexibility and image quality more than convenience and zoom reach. With this detailed comparison, I hope you feel empowered to choose the camera that best supports your photographic voice and journey.

If you’re curious about more detailed sample images or wish to see further comparisons across related models, feel free to reach out. I’m always eager to share insights from behind the viewfinder.

Happy shooting!