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Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS50

Portability
85
Imaging
48
Features
47
Overall
47
Olympus PEN E-PL2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 front
Portability
90
Imaging
37
Features
57
Overall
45

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS50 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
  • Updated by Olympus E-PL3
Panasonic ZS50
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 243g - 111 x 65 x 34mm
  • Introduced January 2015
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ70
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS45
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS60
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS50 Overview

On this page, we are looking at the Olympus E-PL2 versus Panasonic ZS50, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-PL2 (12MP) and the ZS50 (12MP) is fairly comparable but the E-PL2 (Four Thirds) and ZS50 (1/2.3") posses different sensor sizes.

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The E-PL2 was announced 4 years earlier than the ZS50 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS50 being a Compact camera.

Before delving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief overview of how the E-PL2 scores versus the ZS50 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Panasonic ZS50

 E-PL2 ZS50 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS50 over the Olympus E-PL2

 ZS50 E-PL2 
IntroducedJanuary 2015February 2011Newer by 47 months
Display resolution1040k460kSharper display (+580k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic ZS50

 E-PL2 ZS50 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display dimensions
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither provides Touch friendly display

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS50 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to travel with your camera, you'll need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL2 provides outer measurements of 114mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") with a weight of 362 grams (0.80 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS50 has dimensions of 111mm x 65mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") and a weight of 243 grams (0.54 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-PL2 versus Panasonic ZS50 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the E-PL2 and the ZS50.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS50 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL2 and ZS50 is 85 and 90 respectively.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS50 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS50 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very difficult to picture the difference in sensor dimensions just by seeing a spec sheet. The image underneath should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL2 and ZS50.

As you can see, both cameras provide the same megapixel count but different sensor dimensions. The E-PL2 has the larger sensor which is going to make achieving bokeh less difficult. The more aged E-PL2 will be behind in sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS50 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS50 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Portrait photography info
Panasonic ZS50 Portrait photography info
60
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
42
you can focus manually
supports face detection focusing
saves RAW files
no external flash support
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Street photography info
Panasonic ZS50 Street photography info
73
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
fixed screen
68
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
lighter than competition (243 grams)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PL2
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS50
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
max fps low (3.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
bad battery pack (280 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
43
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking autofocus
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Travel photography features
Panasonic ZS50 Travel photography features
51
has built in flash
no Time Lapse recording
bad battery pack (280 per charge)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
66
lighter than competition (243 grams)
flash built-in
decently wide (24mm)
great zoom (720mm)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS50 as a Landscape photography camera
61
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
bad battery pack (280 per charge)
no Time Lapse recording
51
you can focus manually
decently wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS50 as a Vlogging camera
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focusing
does not posses selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic support
34
decently wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (243 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
no external mic socket
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic ZS50
 Olympus PEN E-PL2Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PL2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50
Other name - Lumix DMC-TZ70
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2011-02-11 2015-01-06
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 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 11 23
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus distance - 3cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460k dots 1,040k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,166k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.46x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 10.00 m 6.40 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/160 seconds -
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 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic 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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 362g (0.80 pounds) 243g (0.54 pounds)
Physical dimensions 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 111 x 65 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 55 44
DXO Color Depth score 21.4 20.0
DXO Dynamic range score 10.2 11.2
DXO Low light score 573 138
Other
Battery life 280 photos 300 photos
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
Storage type SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $0 $350