Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS7
88 Imaging
48 Features
52 Overall
49
![Olympus PEN E-PL3 front Olympus PEN E-PL3 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/w300/fronton/Olympus-PEN-E-PL3.jpg)
![Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 front Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-ZS7/Panasonic-ZS7-front.jpg)
91 Imaging
36 Features
33 Overall
34
Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS7 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
- Succeeded the Olympus E-PL2
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
- 218g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
- Launched July 2011
- Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ10
- Refreshed by Panasonic ZS8
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS7 Overview
In this article, we are matching up the Olympus E-PL3 versus Panasonic ZS7, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-PL3 (12MP) and the ZS7 (12MP) is fairly comparable but the E-PL3 (Four Thirds) and ZS7 (1/2.3") enjoy different sensor measurements.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
The E-PL3 was revealed 3 months after the ZS7 which means that they are of a similar age. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS7 being a Compact camera.
Before going through a detailed comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the E-PL3 scores vs the ZS7 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS7 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus PEN E-PL3 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7. The full galleries are available at Olympus E-PL3 Gallery & Panasonic ZS7 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Panasonic ZS7
E-PL3 | ZS7 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More accurate focus | ||
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS7 over the Olympus E-PL3
ZS7 | E-PL3 |
---|
Common features in the Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic ZS7
E-PL3 | ZS7 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | September 2011 | ![]() | July 2011 | Same age |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display measurements |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 460k | The same display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither offers selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Lacking Touch friendly display |
Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS7 Physical Comparison
If you're intending to carry around your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL3 offers physical dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") and a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS7 has proportions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs).
Check the Olympus E-PL3 versus Panasonic ZS7 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the E-PL3 vs the ZS7.
![Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS7 size comparison Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS7 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-PEN-E-PL3-vs-Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-ZS7-size-comparison.jpg)
Using size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL3 and ZS7 is 88 and 91 respectively.
![Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS7 top view buttons comparison Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS7 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-PEN-E-PL3-vs-Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-ZS7-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS7 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is hard to picture the difference in sensor sizes simply by seeing specs. The picture below should give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL3 and ZS7.
All in all, the two cameras enjoy the same exact MP but different sensor sizes. The E-PL3 contains the larger sensor which will make getting bokeh simpler.
![Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS7 sensor size comparison Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS7 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Olympus-PEN-E-PL3-vs-Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-ZS7-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS7 Screen and ViewFinder
![Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-PEN-E-PL3-vs-Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-ZS7-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS7 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PL3 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model type | Olympus PEN E-PL3 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 |
Otherwise known as | - | Lumix DMC-TZ10 |
Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Revealed | 2011-09-20 | 2011-07-19 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Truepic VI | Venus Engine HD II |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 12MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 12800 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 200 | 80 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | 35 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | - | 25-300mm (12.0x) |
Maximum aperture | - | f/3.3-4.9 |
Macro focusing range | - | 3cm |
Total lenses | 107 | - |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Tilting | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of display | 460 thousand dot | 460 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Display technology | HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 60 seconds | 60 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 6.0 frames/s | 2.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | 5.30 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum 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) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | AVCHD, Motion JPEG | AVCHD Lite |
Mic 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 | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 313 gr (0.69 lb) | 218 gr (0.48 lb) |
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 rating | 52 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | 20.9 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.3 | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | 499 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 300 photos | - |
Battery format | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | BLS-5 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail price | $399 | $350 |