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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS35

Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PL3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS35 front
Portability
89
Imaging
40
Features
50
Overall
44

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS35 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 313g - 110 x 64 x 37mm
  • Introduced September 2011
  • Superseded the Olympus E-PL2
Panasonic ZS35
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 305g - 107 x 62 x 32mm
  • Released January 2014
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ55
  • Replaced the Panasonic ZS30
  • Later Model is Panasonic ZS40
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS35 Overview

Here, we will be comparing the Olympus E-PL3 versus Panasonic ZS35, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a substantial gap between the sensor resolutions of the E-PL3 (12MP) and ZS35 (16MP) and the E-PL3 (Four Thirds) and ZS35 (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PL3 was released 3 years before the ZS35 and that is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS35 being a Compact camera.

Before getting into a detailed comparison, here is a brief view of how the E-PL3 grades against the ZS35 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Panasonic ZS35

 E-PL3 ZS35 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS35 over the Olympus E-PL3

 ZS35 E-PL3 
ReleasedJanuary 2014September 2011Fresher by 27 months

Common features in the Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic ZS35

 E-PL3 ZS35 
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Screen resolution460k460kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS35 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry your camera, you will have to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL3 enjoys external measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") having a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS35 has specifications of 107mm x 62mm x 32mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 305 grams (0.67 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-PL3 versus Panasonic ZS35 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have attached during that time. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the E-PL3 compared to the ZS35.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS35 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL3 and ZS35 is 88 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS35 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS35 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to visualise the difference between sensor sizing simply by reading a spec sheet. The visual below might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL3 and ZS35.

As you can see, the 2 cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-PL3 due to its bigger sensor will make shooting shallower DOF easier and the Panasonic ZS35 will offer greater detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures way more aggressively. The older E-PL3 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS35 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS35 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS35 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Portrait photography info
Panasonic ZS35 Portrait photography info
60
has manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focusing
exports RAW files
low MP (12MP)
37
decent MP (16MP)
features face detect autofocus
no manual focus
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Street photography information
Panasonic ZS35 Street photography information
84
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
68
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (305 grams)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Sports photography info
Panasonic ZS35 Sports photography info
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
low MP (12 megapixels)
bad battery power (300 per charge)
no phase detect AF
53
long zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
features tracking focus
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Travel photography advice
Panasonic ZS35 Travel photography advice
44
missing Timelapse mode
bad battery power (300 CIPA)
low MP (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
68
lighter than competition in class (305 grams)
decent MP (16MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
long zoom (480mm)
missing Timelapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS35 as a Landscape photography camera
61
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
low MP (12MP)
bad battery power (300 per charge)
missing Timelapse mode
44
rather wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic ZS35 Vlogging highlights
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing microphone socket
34
rather wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (305g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing microphone support
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS35 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic ZS35
 Olympus PEN E-PL3Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS35
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PL3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS35
Other name - Lumix DMC-TZ55
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2011-09-20 2014-01-06
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Truepic VI -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
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 12MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4032 x 3024 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 12800 3200
Highest boosted ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 35 21
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-480mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus distance - 3cm
Total lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating TFT LCD (180 degree tilt) with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 6.00 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
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/160 secs -
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) 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 313g (0.69 lb) 305g (0.67 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") 107 x 62 x 32mm (4.2" 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 photos -
Style 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/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $399 $300