Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS3
86 Imaging
47 Features
43 Overall
45
91 Imaging
33 Features
30 Overall
31
Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
- Introduced May 2010
- Replacement is Olympus E-PL1s
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
- 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
- Released May 2009
- Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ7
Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview
Its time to look a bit more in depth at the Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic ZS3, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-PL1 (12MP) and the ZS3 (10MP) is relatively comparable but the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and ZS3 (1/2.3") provide different sensor size.
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD CardsThe E-PL1 was introduced 13 months after the ZS3 which makes them a generation away from one another. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS3 being a Compact camera.
Before getting straight to a in depth comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the E-PL1 matches up against the ZS3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS3 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus PEN E-PL1 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3. The whole galleries are available at Olympus E-PL1 Gallery & Panasonic ZS3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Panasonic ZS3
E-PL1 | ZS3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | May 2010 | May 2009 | More modern by 13 months | |
Manually focus | Very accurate focus |
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Olympus E-PL1
ZS3 | E-PL1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen size | 3" | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") | |
Screen resolution | 460k | 230k | Clearer screen (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic ZS3
E-PL1 | ZS3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
Selfie screen | Absent selfie screen | |||
Touch friendly screen | Absent Touch friendly screen |
Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison
If you're looking to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL1 features outside measurements of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") with a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS3 has proportions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).
Look at the Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic ZS3 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.Remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are using at that moment. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-PL1 and the ZS3.
Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL1 and ZS3 is 86 and 91 respectively.
Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is very tough to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes purely by seeing specs. The pic below will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL1 and ZS3.
As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The E-PL1 having a bigger sensor is going to make getting bokeh less difficult and the Olympus E-PL1 will show extra detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The more modern E-PL1 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.
Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PL1 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model | Olympus PEN E-PL1 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 |
Also referred to as | - | Lumix DMC-TZ7 |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Introduced | 2010-05-17 | 2009-05-14 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Truepic 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 | 12 megapixel | 10 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 3648 x 2736 |
Highest native ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | - | 25-300mm (12.0x) |
Max aperture | - | f/3.3-4.9 |
Macro focus distance | - | 3cm |
Amount of lenses | 107 | - |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 2.7 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of display | 230k dots | 460k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Display tech | HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic (optional) | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 60 seconds | 60 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 3.0fps | 2.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 10.00 m | 5.30 m (Auto ISO) |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 1/160 seconds | - |
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) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | AVCHD Lite |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 334g (0.74 lbs) | 229g (0.50 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") | 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 54 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | 21.5 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | 10.1 | not tested |
DXO Low light score | 487 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 290 pictures | - |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | BLS-1 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC card | SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail pricing | $288 | $200 |