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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS1

Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PL3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
25
Overall
29

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS1 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
  • Revealed September 2011
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-PL2
Panasonic ZS1
(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
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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.

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The 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.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Panasonic ZS1

 E-PL3 ZS1 
AnnouncedSeptember 2011May 2009Newer by 29 months
Manual focus Very precise focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS1 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS1 as a Portrait photography camera
60
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focusing
supports RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
25
comes with face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
low resolution (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.5")
no RAW support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS1 as a Street photography camera
84
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (229g)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.5")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Sports photography factors
Panasonic ZS1 Sports photography factors
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
max fps very slow (6.0 fps)
low MP (12MP)
low battery pack (300 shots)
lack of phase detect AF
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.5")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Travel photography factors
Panasonic ZS1 Travel photography factors
44
no Timelapse recording
low battery pack (300 shots)
low MP (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
63
lighter than competition (229 grams)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
great zoom (300mm)
missing Timelapse function
low resolution (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic ZS1 Landscape photography highlights
61
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
low battery pack (300 per charge)
no Timelapse recording
31
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7")
manual mode not available
low resolution (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.5")
no RAW support
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PL3
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS1
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no microphone support
31
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect autofocus
lighter than competition (229 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
missing microphone jack
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic ZS1
 Olympus PEN E-PL3Panasonic 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