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Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS25

Portability
85
Imaging
48
Features
47
Overall
47
Olympus PEN E-PL2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS25 front
Portability
93
Imaging
40
Features
43
Overall
41

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS25 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
  • Announced February 2011
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-PL1s
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-PL3
Panasonic ZS25
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 193g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Launched January 2013
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ35
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS20
  • New Model is Panasonic ZS30
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS25 Overview

Lets look a bit more closely at the Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS25, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. There is a big difference between the resolutions of the E-PL2 (12MP) and ZS25 (16MP) and the E-PL2 (Four Thirds) and ZS25 (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor sizing.

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The E-PL2 was announced 23 months before the ZS25 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS25 being a Compact camera.

Before going in to a complete comparison, below is a simple overview of how the E-PL2 scores vs the ZS25 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Panasonic ZS25

 E-PL2 ZS25 
Focus manually Dial exact focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS25 over the Olympus E-PL2

 ZS25 E-PL2 
LaunchedJanuary 2013February 2011Newer by 23 months

Common features in the Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic ZS25

 E-PL2 ZS25 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Screen resolution460k460kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS25 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to travel with your camera, you are going to need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL2 comes with physical dimensions 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 ZS25 has proportions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 193 grams (0.43 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS25 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you select during that time. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the E-PL2 vs the ZS25.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS25 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL2 and ZS25 is 85 and 93 respectively.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS25 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS25 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's tough to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions simply by looking at a spec sheet. The picture here should give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL2 and ZS25.

Clearly, both the cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-PL2 using its bigger sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field less difficult and the Panasonic ZS25 will give you greater detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs far more aggressively. The more aged E-PL2 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS25 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS25 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS25 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS25 as a Portrait photography camera
60
you can focus manually
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focusing
saves RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
32
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Street photography info
Panasonic ZS25 Street photography info
73
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
66
image stabilization (Optical)
offers touch focus
lighter than competition in class (193 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Sports photography advice
Panasonic ZS25 Sports photography advice
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
slow fps (3.0 fps)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
terrible battery (280 shots)
no phase detect AF
45
excellent zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
low max shutter speed (1/1,200s)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (260 per charge)
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS25 as a Travel photography camera
51
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
terrible battery (280 shots)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
69
lighter than competition in class (193g)
offers touch focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (24mm)
great reach (480mm)
missing Time Lapse function
terrible battery power (260 CIPA)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL2
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS25
61
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
terrible battery (280 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse mode
43
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
terrible battery power (260 per charge)
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Vlogging information
Panasonic ZS25 Vlogging information
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focusing
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone support
34
reasonably wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (193g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
missing external mic socket
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS25 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic ZS25
 Olympus PEN E-PL2Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS25
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS25
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-TZ35
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2011-02-11 2013-01-07
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Truepic V -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4032 x 3024 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 23
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-480mm (20.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing range - 3cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 15s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1200s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 10.00 m 6.40 m
Flash modes 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
Highest flash synchronize 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported 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
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 362 grams (0.80 lb) 193 grams (0.43 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 All around rating 55 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.2 not tested
DXO Low light rating 573 not tested
Other
Battery life 280 photographs 260 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch cost $0 $300