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Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
85
Imaging
48
Features
47
Overall
47
Olympus PEN E-PL2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS3 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
  • Launched February 2011
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-PL1s
  • Renewed by Olympus E-PL3
Panasonic ZS3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Revealed May 2009
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ7
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview

Its time to look a little more in depth at the Olympus E-PL2 versus Panasonic ZS3, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-PL2 (12MP) and the ZS3 (10MP) is very comparable but the E-PL2 (Four Thirds) and ZS3 (1/2.3") posses totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PL2 was manufactured 22 months after the ZS3 making them a generation away from one another. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS3 being a Compact camera.

Before going right into a full comparison, here is a quick view of how the E-PL2 scores versus the ZS3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Panasonic ZS3

 E-PL2 ZS3 
RevealedFebruary 2011May 2009More modern by 22 months
Focus manually Very exact focusing

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Olympus E-PL2

 ZS3 E-PL2 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic ZS3

 E-PL2 ZS3 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Display resolution460k460kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera regularly, you'll have to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL2 has got external dimensions of 114mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 362 grams (0.80 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS3 has proportions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-PL2 versus Panasonic ZS3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have during that time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-PL2 and the ZS3.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL2 and ZS3 is 85 and 91 respectively.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's tough to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes only by checking out a spec sheet. The picture here will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL2 and ZS3.

Clearly, each of these cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The E-PL2 featuring a larger sensor will make achieving shallower DOF less difficult and the Olympus E-PL2 will show greater detail due to its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics a bit more aggressively. The more recent E-PL2 will have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Portrait photography camera
60
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focusing
saves RAW files
resolution not great (12MP)
19
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Street photography camera
73
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
screen is fixed
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (229 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Sports photography advice
Panasonic ZS3 Sports photography advice
45
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
low battery (280 CIPA)
has no phase detect AF
24
built in image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Travel photography information
Panasonic ZS3 Travel photography information
51
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse recording
low battery (280 per charge)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
63
lighter than others in class (229 grams)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
great zoom (300mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Landscape photography camera
61
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
resolution not great (12MP)
low battery (280 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse recording
35
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
manual mode not possible
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Vlogging camera
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focusing
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic socket
30
fairly wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (229g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic port
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic ZS3
 Olympus PEN E-PL2Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PL2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Also called as - Lumix DMC-TZ7
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2011-02-11 2009-05-14
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Truepic V -
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 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-300mm (12.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus range - 3cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 10.00 m 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160 seconds -
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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 362 grams (0.80 lb) 229 grams (0.50 lb)
Physical dimensions 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
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 images -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $0 $200