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Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS70

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS70 front
Portability
87
Imaging
47
Features
70
Overall
56

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS70 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
  • Launched May 2010
  • Updated by Olympus E-PL1s
Panasonic ZS70
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 322g - 112 x 67 x 41mm
  • Revealed April 2017
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ90
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS60
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS80
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS70 Overview

Below is a comprehensive overview of the Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS70, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. There is a large difference between the image resolutions of the E-PL1 (12MP) and ZS70 (20MP) and the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and ZS70 (1/2.3") posses different sensor sizes.

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The E-PL1 was revealed 8 years prior to the ZS70 and that is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS70 being a Compact camera.

Before we go into a complete comparison, here is a short summary of how the E-PL1 matches up against the ZS70 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Panasonic ZS70

 E-PL1 ZS70 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS70 over the Olympus E-PL1

 ZS70 E-PL1 
RevealedApril 2017May 2010More recent by 84 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1040k230kSharper display (+810k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic ZS70

 E-PL1 ZS70 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS70 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL1 enjoys outside dimensions of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") with a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS70 has dimensions of 112mm x 67mm x 41mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.6") and a weight of 322 grams (0.71 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS70 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the E-PL1 vs the ZS70.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS70 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the E-PL1 and ZS70 is 86 and 87 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS70 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS70 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor measurements simply by checking specs. The graphic below may provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL1 and ZS70.

All in all, both cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The E-PL1 with its larger sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field easier and the Panasonic ZS70 will give extra detail because of its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos way more aggressively. The older E-PL1 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS70 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS70 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS70 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Portrait photography information
Panasonic ZS70 Portrait photography information
60
focusing manually
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
offers face detection focusing
supports RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
54
focusing manually
MP count good (20MP)
includes face detection focus
exports RAW formats
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS70 as a Street photography camera
74
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
no articulating screen
76
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
comes with touch to focus
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS70 as a Sports photography camera
44
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
offers tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
terrible battery pack (290 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
61
long zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
quiet mode (1/16,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
good battery power (380 per charge)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Travel photography features
Panasonic ZS70 Travel photography features
51
flash built-in
no Time Lapse recording
terrible battery pack (290 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
79
good battery power (380 shots)
comes with touch to focus
MP count good (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
relatively wide (24mm)
great reach (720mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL1
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS70
55
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
terrible battery pack (290 shots)
no Time Lapse recording
62
focusing manually
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20MP)
exports RAW formats
good battery power (380 CIPA)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic ZS70 Vlogging highlights
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focusing
does not have a selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic socket
74
relatively wide (24mm)
selfie friendly display
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
missing external mic jack
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS70 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic ZS70
 Olympus PEN E-PL1Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS70
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS70
Alternate name - Lumix DMC-TZ90
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2010-05-17 2017-04-19
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Truepic V Venus Engine
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4032 x 3024 5184 x 3888
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Maximum boosted ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 11 49
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-720mm (30.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing range - 3cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 1,040 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,166 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.46x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Highest quiet shutter speed - 1/16000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 10.00 m 5.60 m (at Auto ISO)
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
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/160 secs -
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) 3840 x 2160 (30p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
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 334g (0.74 lb) 322g (0.71 lb)
Physical dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 112 x 67 x 41mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.6")
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 pictures 380 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 3 shots / 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Retail cost $288 $450