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Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS45

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45 front
Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
55
Overall
46

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS45 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL1
(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
  • Updated by Olympus E-PL1s
Panasonic ZS45
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 249g - 108 x 60 x 32mm
  • Released January 2015
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ57
  • Previous Model is Panasonic ZS40
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS50
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS45 Overview

The following is a in-depth overview of the Olympus E-PL1 versus Panasonic ZS45, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a noticeable gap among the sensor resolutions of the E-PL1 (12MP) and ZS45 (16MP) and the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and ZS45 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-PL1 was introduced 5 years earlier than the ZS45 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS45 being a Compact camera.

Before diving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief overview of how the E-PL1 grades vs the ZS45 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Panasonic ZS45

 E-PL1 ZS45 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS45 over the Olympus E-PL1

 ZS45 E-PL1 
ReleasedJanuary 2015May 2010Newer by 56 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1040k230kClearer screen (+810k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic ZS45

 E-PL1 ZS45 
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS45 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to travel with your camera, you'll need to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL1 enjoys exterior dimensions of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") with a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS45 has proportions of 108mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-PL1 versus Panasonic ZS45 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the E-PL1 against the ZS45.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS45 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL1 and ZS45 is 86 and 91 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS45 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS45 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be hard to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions simply by checking out technical specs. The picture underneath will offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL1 and ZS45.

As you can tell, both cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-PL1 using its bigger sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field easier and the Panasonic ZS45 will provide greater detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots much more aggressively. The more aged E-PL1 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS45 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS45 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS45 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL1
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS45
60
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focus
saves RAW files
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
37
resolution is good (16MP)
features face detection autofocus
no manual focus
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Street photography features
Panasonic ZS45 Street photography features
74
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
fixed screen
69
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (249 grams)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS45 as a Sports photography camera
44
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
max frames per second low (3.0 frames/s)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
terrible battery (290 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
55
incredible zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
good battery life (350 CIPA)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Travel photography advice
Panasonic ZS45 Travel photography advice
51
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse function
terrible battery (290 shots)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
71
good battery life (350 CIPA)
lighter than average in class (249g)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (24mm)
very long reach (480mm)
missing Time Lapse function
does not feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS45 as a Landscape photography camera
55
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
terrible battery (290 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse function
47
quite wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
good battery life (350 CIPA)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Vlogging info
Panasonic ZS45 Vlogging info
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focus
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic support
34
quite wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average in class (249 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not feature selfie friendly display
missing external mic port
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS45 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic ZS45
 Olympus PEN E-PL1Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-TZ57
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2010-05-17 2015-01-06
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Truepic V -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
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 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4032 x 3024 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 11 21
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-480mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing range - 3cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 1,040 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.00 m 6.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160 secs -
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) 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 334 gr (0.74 pounds) 249 gr (0.55 pounds)
Dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 108 x 60 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 shots 350 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID 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 One One
Retail cost $288 $300