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Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
85
Imaging
48
Features
47
Overall
47
Olympus PEN E-PL2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL2
(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
  • Released February 2011
  • Old Model is Olympus E-PL1s
  • Replacement is Olympus E-PL3
Panasonic ZS20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 206g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Revealed April 2012
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic ZS15
  • Later Model is Panasonic ZS25
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

Below is a in depth comparison of the Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic ZS20, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-PL2 (12MP) and the ZS20 (14MP) is fairly well matched but the E-PL2 (Four Thirds) and ZS20 (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PL2 was brought out 14 months earlier than the ZS20 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS20 being a Compact camera.

Before we go through a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise view of how the E-PL2 grades vs the ZS20 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Panasonic ZS20

 E-PL2 ZS20 
Focus manually Very exact focusing

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Olympus E-PL2

 ZS20 E-PL2 
RevealedApril 2012February 2011More recent by 14 months
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic ZS20

 E-PL2 ZS20 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Display resolution460k460kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to lug around your camera regularly, you'll have to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL2 offers physical dimensions of 114mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") having a weight of 362 grams (0.80 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS20 has proportions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic ZS20 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you use at that time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the E-PL2 versus the ZS20.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL2 and ZS20 is 85 and 92 respectively.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very tough to envision the difference between sensor measurements simply by reading through a spec sheet. The visual below may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL2 and ZS20.

Clearly, both of these cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The E-PL2 featuring a larger sensor will make getting shallow depth of field less difficult and the Panasonic ZS20 will give extra detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The older E-PL2 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Portrait photography camera
60
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focus
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
30
good resolution (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Street photography factors
Panasonic ZS20 Street photography factors
73
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
screen is fixed
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports touch focus
lighter than others in class (206 grams)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PL2
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS20
45
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
max fps very slow (3.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
bad battery (280 per charge)
has no phase detect auto focus
47
excellent zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
has tracking autofocus
very small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (260 per charge)
does not have phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Travel photography camera
51
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
bad battery (280 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
68
lighter than others in class (206 grams)
supports touch focus
good resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
very long zoom (480mm)
does not have Timelapse function
bad battery pack (260 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Landscape photography information
Panasonic ZS20 Landscape photography information
61
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
bad battery (280 shots)
lack of Timelapse mode
42
relatively wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
bad battery pack (260 shots)
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PL2
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS20
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focus
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone support
34
relatively wide (24mm)
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others in class (206g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have external microphone socket
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic ZS20
 Olympus PEN E-PL2Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PL2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ30
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2011-02-11 2012-04-26
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Truepic V -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
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 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 11 23
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-480mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus range - 3cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 15s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 3.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 10.00 m 6.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone 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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 362g (0.80 lb) 206g (0.45 lb)
Dimensions 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 photographs 260 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $0 $349