Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS7

In this article, we are looking at the Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic ZS7, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-PL1 (12MP) and the ZS7 (12MP) is very comparable but the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and ZS7 (1/2.3") use different sensor sizing.

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The E-PL1 was announced 14 months earlier than the ZS7 making the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS7 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a concise overview of how the E-PL1 matches up against the ZS7 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

This is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus PEN E-PL1 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7. The whole galleries are provided at Olympus E-PL1 Gallery & Panasonic ZS7 Gallery.

When you are aiming to carry around your camera often, you'll have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL1 has got exterior 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 ZS7 has measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs).

See the Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic ZS7 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are using at that moment. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the E-PL1 against the ZS7.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL1 and ZS7 is 86 and 91 respectively.

Typically, its difficult to picture the contrast in sensor sizes purely by checking out technical specs. The picture here will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL1 and ZS7.

As you have seen, both of the cameras offer the same exact megapixels but different sensor sizes. The E-PL1 provides the larger sensor which is going to make getting shallower depth of field simpler. The more aged E-PL1 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.