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Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic ZS8

Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
60
Overall
52
Olympus PEN E-P3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
39
Overall
37

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic ZS8 Key Specs

Olympus E-P3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 369g - 122 x 69 x 34mm
  • Introduced August 2011
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-P2
  • Replacement is Olympus E-P5
Panasonic ZS8
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 210g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Introduced July 2011
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ18
  • Previous Model is Panasonic ZS7
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Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic ZS8 Overview

Here, we are matching up the Olympus E-P3 versus Panasonic ZS8, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-P3 (12MP) and the ZS8 (14MP) is very close but the E-P3 (Four Thirds) and ZS8 (1/2.3") provide different sensor dimensions.

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The E-P3 was revealed about the same time to the ZS8 which means that they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-P3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS8 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the E-P3 grades vs the ZS8 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P3 over the Panasonic ZS8

 E-P3 ZS8 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Display resolution614k230kSharper display (+384k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Olympus E-P3

 ZS8 E-P3 

Common features in the Olympus E-P3 and Panasonic ZS8

 E-P3 ZS8 
IntroducedAugust 2011July 2011Same age
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display sizing
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic ZS8 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera frequently, you'll need to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-P3 features exterior dimensions of 122mm x 69mm x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") and a weight of 369 grams (0.81 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS8 has measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-P3 versus Panasonic ZS8 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have chosen during that time. Below is a front view size comparison of the E-P3 and the ZS8.

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic ZS8 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the E-P3 and ZS8 is 86 and 92 respectively.

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic ZS8 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic ZS8 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is difficult to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions only by looking through specifications. The pic below should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-P3 and ZS8.

To sum up, the two cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The E-P3 with its larger sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF simpler and the Panasonic ZS8 will render more detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images a good deal more aggressively.

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic ZS8 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-P3
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS8
60
you can focus manually
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focusing
exports RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
30
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-P3 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS8 as a Street photography camera
76
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
supports touch to focus
no moving screen
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (210g)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Sports photography factors
Panasonic ZS8 Sports photography factors
49
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (3.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
has no phase detect AF
47
incredible zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
includes tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (2.0 frames per second)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Travel photography details
Panasonic ZS8 Travel photography details
60
supports touch to focus
has built in flash
missing Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
69
lighter than competitors in class (210 grams)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
great zoom (384mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-P3 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS8 as a Landscape photography camera
65
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
missing Timelapse recording
44
reasonably wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Vlogging features
Panasonic ZS8 Vlogging features
35
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing microphone port
30
reasonably wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (210g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone jack
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Olympus E-P3 vs Panasonic ZS8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P3 and Panasonic ZS8
 Olympus PEN E-P3Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-P3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-TZ18
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2011-08-17 2011-07-19
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VI Venus Engine FHD
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 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4032 x 3024 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 12800 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 35 11
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-384mm (16.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus distance - 3cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 614 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech 3:2 OLED with Anti-Fingerprint Coating TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 10.00 m (@ ISO 200) 5.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Wireless, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 369 grams (0.81 lbs) 210 grams (0.46 lbs)
Physical dimensions 122 x 69 x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 51 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 20.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.1 not tested
DXO Low light score 536 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 pictures 340 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $0 $275