Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZR3
85 Imaging
47 Features
47 Overall
47
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94 Imaging
36 Features
26 Overall
32
Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZR3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 362g - 114 x 72 x 42mm
- Introduced February 2011
- Old Model is Olympus E-PL1s
- New Model is Olympus E-PL3
(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
- Released January 2010
- Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-ZX3
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZR3 Overview
Its time to examine more closely at the Olympus E-PL2 versus Panasonic ZR3, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-PL2 (12MP) and the ZR3 (14MP) is very similar but the E-PL2 (Four Thirds) and ZR3 (1/2.3") possess different sensor dimensions.
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The E-PL2 was released 13 months after the ZR3 making the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PL2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZR3 being a Compact camera.
Before we go straight into a detailed comparison, below is a short view of how the E-PL2 grades against the ZR3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZR3 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus PEN E-PL2 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3. The complete galleries are provided at Olympus E-PL2 Gallery & Panasonic ZR3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Panasonic ZR3
E-PL2 | ZR3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | February 2011 | ![]() | January 2010 | More modern by 13 months |
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focusing | ||
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Olympus E-PL2
ZR3 | E-PL2 |
---|
Common features in the Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic ZR3
E-PL2 | ZR3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither includes selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither includes Touch friendly display |
Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZR3 Physical Comparison
When you are planning to carry around your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PL2 features external measurements of 114mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") with a weight of 362 grams (0.80 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZR3 has sizing of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") having a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).
Check the Olympus E-PL2 versus Panasonic ZR3 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have during that time. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the E-PL2 against the ZR3.
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Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL2 and ZR3 is 85 and 94 respectively.
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZR3 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is very difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor sizes merely by reading specs. The picture underneath may offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL2 and ZR3.
All in all, both the cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The E-PL2 because of its larger sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF less difficult and the Panasonic ZR3 will deliver more detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics much more aggressively. The newer E-PL2 provides a benefit in sensor innovation.
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and ViewFinder
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Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
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Street Comparison
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Sports Comparison
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Travel Comparison
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Landscape Comparison
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Vlogging Comparison
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZR3 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PL2 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model | Olympus PEN E-PL2 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 |
Also Known as | - | Lumix DMC-ZX3 |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Small Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2011-02-11 | 2010-01-26 |
Physical type | 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 dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 4320 x 3240 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
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 distance | - | 3cm |
Total lenses | 107 | - |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3" | 2.7" |
Resolution of display | 460k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Display technology | HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic (optional) | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 60 secs | 60 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/1300 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 3.0 frames per sec | 2.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt 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 | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/160 secs | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
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 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | AVCHD Lite |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 362 grams (0.80 lb) | 159 grams (0.35 lb) |
Dimensions | 114 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 | 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 images | - |
Battery type | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | BLS-5 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | One | One |
Retail price | $0 | $280 |