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Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic ZR3

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1s front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
26
Overall
32

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic ZR3 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL1s
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
  • Revealed November 2010
  • Old Model is Olympus E-PL1
  • Replacement is Olympus E-PL2
Panasonic ZR3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 159g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Revealed January 2010
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-ZX3
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Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic ZR3 Overview

Its time to examine more closely at the Olympus E-PL1s versus Panasonic ZR3, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-PL1s (12MP) and the ZR3 (14MP) is fairly similar but the E-PL1s (Four Thirds) and ZR3 (1/2.3") come with different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PL1s was released 10 months after the ZR3 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL1s being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZR3 being a Compact camera.

Before we go in to a full comparison, below is a quick summary of how the E-PL1s matches up against the ZR3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1s over the Panasonic ZR3

 E-PL1s ZR3 
RevealedNovember 2010January 2010More modern by 10 months
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Olympus E-PL1s

 ZR3 E-PL1s 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1s and Panasonic ZR3

 E-PL1s ZR3 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent display sizing
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither comes with Touch friendly display

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic ZR3 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL1s comes with exterior dimensions of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) and the Panasonic ZR3 has measurements of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-PL1s versus Panasonic ZR3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are using at that moment. Following is the front view scale comparison of the E-PL1s and the ZR3.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic ZR3 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the E-PL1s and ZR3 is 86 and 94 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic ZR3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic ZR3 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to visualize the gap between sensor sizes merely by reviewing a spec sheet. The image here will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL1s and ZR3.

As you can see, both of these cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The E-PL1s because of its larger sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field less difficult and the Panasonic ZR3 will deliver greater detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will help you crop pics a little more aggressively. The younger E-PL1s should have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic ZR3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Portrait photography information
Panasonic ZR3 Portrait photography information
60
focusing manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
28
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Street photography features
Panasonic ZR3 Street photography features
74
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
no articulating screen
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZR3 as a Sports photography camera
44
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12MP)
bad battery (290 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
36
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
max shutter speed is low (1/1,300 seconds)
max fps very slow (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PL1s
Travel photography with Panasonic ZR3
51
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse function
bad battery (290 CIPA)
megapixel count low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
64
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (25mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZR3 as a Landscape photography camera
55
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
screen is small (2.7")
megapixel count low (12MP)
bad battery (290 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse function
37
really wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
lack of Time Lapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PL1s
Vlogging with Panasonic ZR3
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focusing
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic socket
29
really wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic jack
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Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic ZR3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1s and Panasonic ZR3
 Olympus PEN E-PL1sPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PL1s Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-ZX3
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2010-11-16 2010-01-26
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Truepic V Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4032 x 3024 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-200mm (8.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus range - 3cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1300s
Continuous shooting speed 3.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 10.00 m 5.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/160s -
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)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 334 gr (0.74 lb) 159 gr (0.35 lb)
Dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested 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 feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $599 $280