Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS50

Lets look much closer at the Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS50, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-PL3 (12MP) and the ZS50 (12MP) is fairly well matched but the E-PL3 (Four Thirds) and ZS50 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor sizing.

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The E-PL3 was manufactured 4 years prior to the ZS50 and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS50 being a Compact camera.

Before going into a thorough comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the E-PL3 grades against the ZS50 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus PEN E-PL3 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50. The entire galleries are provided at Olympus E-PL3 Gallery & Panasonic ZS50 Gallery.

For anybody who is aiming to carry your camera regularly, you will have to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL3 offers 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 ZS50 has proportions of 111mm x 65mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 243 grams (0.54 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS50 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are employing at that moment. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the E-PL3 vs the ZS50.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL3 and ZS50 is 88 and 90 respectively.

Often, it can be difficult to visualise the gap between sensor sizing only by reading through specs. The visual underneath will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL3 and ZS50.

All in all, both of the cameras provide the same resolution but not the same sensor sizing. The E-PL3 includes the larger sensor which should make getting shallower DOF less difficult. The older E-PL3 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.