Clicky

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS7

Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
43
Overall
46
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 front
Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
33
Overall
34

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS7 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
  • Released May 2010
  • Renewed by Olympus E-PL1s
Panasonic ZS7
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 218g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Introduced July 2011
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ10
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS8
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS7 Overview

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.

Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

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.

Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Panasonic ZS7

 E-PL1 ZS7 
Focus manually Dial precise focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS7 over the Olympus E-PL1

 ZS7 E-PL1 
IntroducedJuly 2011May 2010More modern by 14 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic ZS7

 E-PL1 ZS7 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS7 Physical Comparison

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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS7 size comparison

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

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS7 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS7 Sensor Comparison

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.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS7 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS7 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL1
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS7
60
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
features face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12MP)
21
manual focus not available
can't use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS7 as a Street photography camera
74
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
no moving screen
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (218 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Sports photography features
Panasonic ZS7 Sports photography features
45
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
max fps low (3.0 frames/s)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
bad battery life (290 CIPA)
has no phase detect AF
28
image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PL1
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS7
52
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse function
bad battery life (290 per charge)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly screen
63
lighter than average (218 grams)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
great zoom (300mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low megapixels (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic ZS7 Landscape photography highlights
55
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
screen is small (2.7 inches)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
bad battery life (290 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse function
38
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS7 as a Vlogging camera
30
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
does not have selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone jack
30
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (218 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone port
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic ZS7
 Olympus PEN E-PL1Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PL1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7
Other name - Lumix DMC-TZ10
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2010-05-17 2011-07-19
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Truepic V Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-300mm (12.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus range - 3cm
Total lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 10.00 m 5.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160 seconds -
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 334 grams (0.74 lbs) 218 grams (0.48 lbs)
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 Overall 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 photographs -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model BLS-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch pricing $288 $350