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Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS80

Portability
85
Imaging
48
Features
47
Overall
47
Olympus PEN E-PL2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS80 front
Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
70
Overall
56

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS80 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL2
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 362g - 114 x 72 x 42mm
  • Released February 2011
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-PL1s
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-PL3
Panasonic ZS80
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 327g - 112 x 69 x 42mm
  • Introduced February 2018
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DC-TZ95
  • Replaced the Panasonic ZS70
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS80 Overview

In this write-up, we are looking at the Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic ZS80, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a large gap between the resolutions of the E-PL2 (12MP) and ZS80 (20MP) and the E-PL2 (Four Thirds) and ZS80 (1/2.3") come with different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PL2 was manufactured 8 years prior to the ZS80 which is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS80 being a Compact camera.

Before diving in to a thorough comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the E-PL2 scores against the ZS80 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Panasonic ZS80

 E-PL2 ZS80 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS80 over the Olympus E-PL2

 ZS80 E-PL2 
IntroducedFebruary 2018February 2011Newer by 85 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1040k460kClearer display (+580k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic ZS80

 E-PL2 ZS80 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS80 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to travel with your camera often, you'll need to think about its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL2 enjoys outer measurements of 114mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") having a weight of 362 grams (0.80 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS80 has specifications of 112mm x 69mm x 42mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.7") having a weight of 327 grams (0.72 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic ZS80 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have at the time. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the E-PL2 versus the ZS80.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS80 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL2 and ZS80 is 85 and 86 respectively.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS80 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS80 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is tough to visualize the difference between sensor dimensions just by checking a spec sheet. The pic underneath will give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL2 and ZS80.

Clearly, both of those cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-PL2 featuring a larger sensor is going to make shooting bokeh easier and the Panasonic ZS80 will give extra detail due to its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics far more aggressively. The more aged E-PL2 is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS80 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS80 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS80 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Portrait photography features
Panasonic ZS80 Portrait photography features
60
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focus
exports RAW formats
resolution not great (12MP)
54
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
includes face detect focus
exports RAW files
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PL2
Street photography with Panasonic ZS80
73
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
no moving screen
75
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
offers focus via touch
sensor is small (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PL2
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS80
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
max fps low (3.0 frames per second)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
low battery power (280 CIPA)
no phase detect auto focus
61
incredible zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
silent shutter (1/16,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
includes tracking focus
great battery power (380 CIPA)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Travel photography info
Panasonic ZS80 Travel photography info
51
built-in flash
missing Timelapse function
low battery power (280 CIPA)
resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
79
great battery power (380 CIPA)
has bluetooth
offers focus via touch
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
really wide (24mm)
great zoom (720mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS80 as a Landscape photography camera
61
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
low battery power (280 CIPA)
missing Timelapse function
62
has manual focus
really wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
exports RAW files
great battery power (380 CIPA)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic ZS80 Vlogging highlights
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focus
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone support
73
really wide (24mm)
selfie friendly display
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focus
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not have microphone socket
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS80 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic ZS80
 Olympus PEN E-PL2Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS80
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PL2 Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS80
Otherwise known as - Lumix DC-TZ95
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2011-02-11 2018-02-18
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Truepic V Venus Engine
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4032 x 3024 5184 x 3888
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Highest boosted ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW files
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 -
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus range - 3cm
Total lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460k dots 1,040k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,330k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.53x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Highest silent shutter speed - 1/16000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 10.00 m 5.60 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 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) 3840 x 2160 (30p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 362 grams (0.80 lbs) 327 grams (0.72 lbs)
Dimensions 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 112 x 69 x 42mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 55 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.2 not tested
DXO Low light score 573 not tested
Other
Battery life 280 pictures 380 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I supported)
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $0 $448