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Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZR1

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZR1 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
  • Launched May 2010
  • Replacement is Olympus E-PL1s
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
  • Released July 2009
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-ZX1
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZR1 Overview

Below, we will be comparing the Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic ZR1, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-PL1 (12MP) and the ZR1 (12MP) is relatively similar but the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and ZR1 (1/2.3") use different sensor sizing.

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The E-PL1 was introduced 10 months after the ZR1 so they are of a similar age. Both cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZR1 being a Compact camera.

Before delving through a thorough comparison, below is a short summary of how the E-PL1 grades against the ZR1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Panasonic ZR1

 E-PL1 ZR1 
ReleasedMay 2010July 2009Newer by 10 months
Manual focus Very exact focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR1 over the Olympus E-PL1

 ZR1 E-PL1 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic ZR1

 E-PL1 ZR1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension2.7"2.7"Identical screen measurement
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZR1 Physical Comparison

If you are going to travel with your camera regularly, you should think about its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL1 has got outside measurements of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") having a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) while the Panasonic ZR1 has specifications of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic ZR1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have attached at that moment. Underneath is the front view over all size comparison of the E-PL1 versus the ZR1.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZR1 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL1 and ZR1 is 86 and 94 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZR1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZR1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very hard to picture the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by reading specifications. The picture below might give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL1 and ZR1.

Plainly, both the cameras have got the exact same megapixels albeit different sensor dimensions. The E-PL1 includes the bigger sensor which will make obtaining shallow DOF easier. The fresher E-PL1 should have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZR1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZR1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZR1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL1
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZR1
60
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
21
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Street photography information
Panasonic ZR1 Street photography information
74
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
fixed screen
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Sports photography info
Panasonic ZR1 Sports photography info
44
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
terrible battery life (290 per charge)
does not have phase detect autofocus
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Travel photography features
Panasonic ZR1 Travel photography features
51
built-in flash
missing Timelapse function
terrible battery life (290 shots)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
57
flash built-in
really wide (25mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL1
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZR1
55
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
terrible battery life (290 per charge)
missing Timelapse function
32
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual control
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Vlogging factors
Panasonic ZR1 Vlogging factors
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection autofocus
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone support
28
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic socket
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZR1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic ZR1
 Olympus PEN E-PL1Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
Other name - Lumix DMC-ZX1
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2010-05-17 2009-07-27
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Truepic V Venus Engine V
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-200mm (8.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 3cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.00 m 5.10 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/160s -
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)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 334 grams (0.74 lbs) 158 grams (0.35 lbs)
Dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 54 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.1 not tested
DXO Low light rating 487 not tested
Other
Battery life 290 photos -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLS-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $288 $280