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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZR1

Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PL3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZR1 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 313g - 110 x 64 x 37mm
  • Introduced September 2011
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-PL2
Panasonic ZR1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 158g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Announced July 2009
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-ZX1
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZR1 Overview

Below, we will be contrasting the Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZR1, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-PL3 (12MP) and the ZR1 (12MP) is pretty similar but the E-PL3 (Four Thirds) and ZR1 (1/2.3") come with different sensor sizes.

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The E-PL3 was unveiled 2 years after the ZR1 which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZR1 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a brief summary of how the E-PL3 scores vs the ZR1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Panasonic ZR1

 E-PL3 ZR1 
AnnouncedSeptember 2011July 2009Newer by 27 months
Manual focus More accurate focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR1 over the Olympus E-PL3

 ZR1 E-PL3 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic ZR1

 E-PL3 ZR1 
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZR1 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to travel with your camera, you should consider its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PL3 features external dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") with a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs) while the Panasonic ZR1 has sizing of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") and a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZR1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have at the time. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the E-PL3 compared to the ZR1.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZR1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the E-PL3 and ZR1 is 88 and 94 respectively.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZR1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZR1 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is difficult to imagine the gap between sensor dimensions only by reviewing a spec sheet. The picture here may give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL3 and ZR1.

Clearly, both of those cameras posses the exact same MP albeit different sensor dimensions. The E-PL3 offers the bigger sensor which should make obtaining shallower DOF simpler. The more modern E-PL3 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZR1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZR1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZR1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic ZR1 Portrait photography factors
60
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
21
no manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Street photography info
Panasonic ZR1 Street photography info
84
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Sports photography advice
Panasonic ZR1 Sports photography advice
45
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
bad battery power (300 per charge)
does not have phase detect autofocus
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Travel photography advice
Panasonic ZR1 Travel photography advice
44
missing Time Lapse recording
bad battery power (300 CIPA)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
57
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
lack of Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic ZR1 Landscape photography factors
61
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
bad battery power (300 shots)
missing Time Lapse recording
32
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
no manual control
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PL3
Vlogging with Panasonic ZR1
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing mic jack
28
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone support
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZR1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic ZR1
 Olympus PEN E-PL3Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PL3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-ZX1
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-09-20 2009-07-27
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Truepic VI Venus Engine V
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 12800 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 35 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-200mm (8.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus distance - 3cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 6.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 5.10 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 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)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format AVCHD, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 313 gr (0.69 lb) 158 gr (0.35 lb)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 52 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 20.9 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.3 not tested
DXO Low light score 499 not tested
Other
Battery life 300 photos -
Form of battery 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/SDXC SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $399 $280