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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS60

Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PL3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS60 front
Portability
88
Imaging
44
Features
63
Overall
51

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS60 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
  • Revealed September 2011
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-PL2
Panasonic ZS60
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 282g - 112 x 64 x 38mm
  • Introduced January 2016
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ80
  • Older Model is Panasonic ZS50
  • New Model is Panasonic ZS70
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS60 Overview

In this article, we are comparing the Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS60, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Olympus and Panasonic. There is a big difference among the sensor resolutions of the E-PL3 (12MP) and ZS60 (18MP) and the E-PL3 (Four Thirds) and ZS60 (1/2.3") use different sensor sizing.

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The E-PL3 was revealed 5 years prior to the ZS60 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS60 being a Compact camera.

Before delving in to a in-depth comparison, below is a quick view of how the E-PL3 grades vs the ZS60 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Panasonic ZS60

 E-PL3 ZS60 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS60 over the Olympus E-PL3

 ZS60 E-PL3 
IntroducedJanuary 2016September 2011Fresher by 52 months
Display resolution1040k460kCrisper display (+580k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic ZS60

 E-PL3 ZS60 
Manual focus More accurate focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS60 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry your camera regularly, you will need to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL3 has got exterior measurements 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 ZS60 has specifications of 112mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") having a weight of 282 grams (0.62 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS60 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have during that time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the E-PL3 vs the ZS60.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS60 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL3 and ZS60 is 88 and 88 respectively.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS60 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS60 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's tough to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing purely by checking out technical specs. The visual here should give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL3 and ZS60.

As you can tell, both of the cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-PL3 with its larger sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF less difficult and the Panasonic ZS60 will produce greater detail because of its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop photos far more aggressively. The older E-PL3 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS60 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS60 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS60 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic ZS60 Portrait photography highlights
60
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focusing
supports RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
53
focusing manually
decent megapixels (18MP)
offers face detection focusing
supports RAW files
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Street photography factors
Panasonic ZS60 Street photography factors
84
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
71
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
boasts focus via touch
lighter than competitors (282 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PL3
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS60
45
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
low battery pack (300 shots)
has no phase detect AF
57
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
silent shooting (1/16,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic ZS60 Travel photography highlights
44
lack of Timelapse function
low battery pack (300 CIPA)
MP count low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
74
lighter than competitors (282g)
boasts focus via touch
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (24mm)
great zoom (720mm)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Landscape photography information
Panasonic ZS60 Landscape photography information
61
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
low battery pack (300 per charge)
lack of Timelapse function
59
focusing manually
reasonably wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
supports RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Vlogging factors
Panasonic ZS60 Vlogging factors
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of microphone jack
35
reasonably wide (24mm)
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
lighter than competitors (282g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have external mic port
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS60 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic ZS60
 Olympus PEN E-PL3Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS60
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PL3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS60
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-TZ80
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2011-09-20 2016-01-05
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Truepic VI Venus Engine
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 12800 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 35 49
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus distance - 3cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460k dot 1,040k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,166k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.46x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Max silent shutter speed - 1/16000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 5.60 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash options 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
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 (30p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video data format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 313g (0.69 lb) 282g (0.62 lb)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") 112 x 64 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 52 37
DXO Color Depth score 20.9 19.3
DXO Dynamic range score 10.3 10.6
DXO Low light score 499 109
Other
Battery life 300 shots 320 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 3 shots / 10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $399 $248