Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS1
88 Imaging
48 Features
52 Overall
49
91 Imaging
33 Features
25 Overall
29
Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS1 Key Specs
(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
- Revealed September 2011
- Previous Model is Olympus E-PL2
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
- 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
- Announced May 2009
- Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ6
Photography Glossary Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS1 Overview
On this page, we will be matching up the Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS1, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-PL3 (12MP) and the ZS1 (10MP) is pretty comparable but the E-PL3 (Four Thirds) and ZS1 (1/2.5") boast totally different sensor dimensions.
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthThe E-PL3 was announced 2 years after the ZS1 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS1 being a Compact camera.
Before getting straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the E-PL3 grades against the ZS1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS1 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus PEN E-PL3 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1. The whole galleries are provided at Olympus E-PL3 Gallery and Panasonic ZS1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Panasonic ZS1
| E-PL3 | ZS1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Announced | September 2011 |  | May 2009 | Newer by 29 months |
| Manual focus |  | Very precise focus | ||
| Screen type | Tilting |  | Fixed | Tilting screen |
| Screen dimensions | 3" |  | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
| Screen resolution | 460k |  | 230k | Crisper screen (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS1 over the Olympus E-PL3
| ZS1 | E-PL3 |
|---|
Common features in the Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic ZS1
| E-PL3 | ZS1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selfie screen |  | Neither includes selfie screen | ||
| Touch friendly screen |  | Lack of Touch friendly screen |
Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS1 Physical Comparison
In case you're aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you'll need to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL3 features physical measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") with a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS1 has measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).
Check out the Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you select at the time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the E-PL3 and the ZS1.
Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL3 and ZS1 is 88 and 91 respectively.
Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS1 Sensor Comparison
Often, it is very difficult to see the contrast in sensor dimensions just by seeing specs. The pic underneath will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL3 and ZS1.
All in all, each of these cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The E-PL3 having a bigger sensor will make shooting bokeh easier and the Olympus E-PL3 will produce more detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures more aggressively. The more modern E-PL3 will have an advantage in sensor tech.
Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS1 Screen and ViewFinder
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS1 Specifications
| Olympus PEN E-PL3 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Manufacturer | Olympus | Panasonic |
| Model | Olympus PEN E-PL3 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 |
| Also called | - | Lumix DMC-TZ6 |
| Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Small Sensor Superzoom |
| Revealed | 2011-09-20 | 2009-05-14 |
| Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor Chip | Truepic VI | - |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
| Sensor size | Four Thirds | 1/2.5" |
| Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 5.744 x 4.308mm |
| Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 24.7mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 10 megapixel |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 |
| Full resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 3648 x 2736 |
| Max native ISO | 12800 | 6400 |
| Lowest native ISO | 200 | 100 |
| RAW data | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Touch focus | ||
| Continuous autofocus | ||
| Single autofocus | ||
| Tracking autofocus | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Autofocus center weighted | ||
| Autofocus multi area | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detect autofocus | ||
| Contract detect autofocus | ||
| Phase detect autofocus | ||
| Number of focus points | 35 | 11 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
| Lens focal range | - | 25-300mm (12.0x) |
| Maximum aperture | - | f/3.3-4.9 |
| Macro focus range | - | 3cm |
| Total lenses | 107 | - |
| Crop factor | 2.1 | 6.3 |
| Screen | ||
| Range of display | Tilting | Fixed Type |
| Display diagonal | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
| Display resolution | 460 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch display | ||
| Display tech | HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | Electronic (optional) | None |
| Features | ||
| Lowest shutter speed | 60 seconds | 60 seconds |
| Highest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
| Continuous shooting speed | 6.0fps | 3.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
| Set white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash range | no built-in flash | 5.30 m (Auto ISO) |
| Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AEB | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Highest flash sync | 1/160 seconds | - |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment exposure | ||
| Average exposure | ||
| Spot exposure | ||
| Partial exposure | ||
| AF area exposure | ||
| Center weighted exposure | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
| Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 640x480 |
| Video format | AVCHD, Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
| Microphone input | ||
| Headphone input | ||
| 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 | 313 grams (0.69 pounds) | 229 grams (0.50 pounds) |
| Physical dimensions | 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") | 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around 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 images | - |
| Battery format | Battery Pack | - |
| Battery model | BLS-5 | - |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal |
| Storage slots | One | One |
| Pricing at launch | $399 | $0 |