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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS70

Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PL3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS70 front
Portability
87
Imaging
47
Features
70
Overall
56

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS70 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
  • Announced September 2011
  • Replaced the Olympus E-PL2
Panasonic ZS70
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 322g - 112 x 67 x 41mm
  • Revealed April 2017
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ90
  • Older Model is Panasonic ZS60
  • Refreshed by Panasonic ZS80
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS70 Overview

Its time to take a more detailed look at the Olympus E-PL3 versus Panasonic ZS70, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. There is a considerable difference between the sensor resolutions of the E-PL3 (12MP) and ZS70 (20MP) and the E-PL3 (Four Thirds) and ZS70 (1/2.3") offer totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-PL3 was introduced 6 years before the ZS70 and that is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS70 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a short introduction of how the E-PL3 scores versus the ZS70 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Panasonic ZS70

 E-PL3 ZS70 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS70 over the Olympus E-PL3

 ZS70 E-PL3 
RevealedApril 2017September 2011Fresher by 67 months
Display resolution1040k460kSharper display (+580k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic ZS70

 E-PL3 ZS70 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS70 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry your camera, you are going to need to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL3 enjoys exterior dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") along with a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS70 has measurements of 112mm x 67mm x 41mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.6") having a weight of 322 grams (0.71 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-PL3 versus Panasonic ZS70 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have attached during that time. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the E-PL3 and the ZS70.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS70 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL3 and ZS70 is 88 and 87 respectively.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS70 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS70 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be hard to see the difference between sensor sizing merely by reading specifications. The photograph below will provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL3 and ZS70.

To sum up, both cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-PL3 using its larger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field easier and the Panasonic ZS70 will offer more detail using its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos way more aggressively. The older E-PL3 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS70 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS70 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS70 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Portrait photography details
Panasonic ZS70 Portrait photography details
60
manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focus
exports RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
54
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
comes with face detect focusing
saves RAW files
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PL3
Street photography with Panasonic ZS70
84
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
76
screen tilts
image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
has focus via touch
very small sensor (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PL3
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS70
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12MP)
bad battery power (300 per charge)
lacks phase detect auto focus
61
amazing zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
silent mode (1/16,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
great battery (380 shots)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic ZS70 Travel photography highlights
44
does not have Time Lapse mode
bad battery power (300 CIPA)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
79
great battery (380 shots)
has focus via touch
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
reasonably wide (24mm)
very long zoom (720mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL3
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS70
61
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
bad battery power (300 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse mode
62
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
saves RAW files
great battery (380 per charge)
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS70 as a Vlogging camera
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
does not have mic support
74
reasonably wide (24mm)
display is selfie friendly
touch screen
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not have mic socket
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS70 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL3 and Panasonic ZS70
 Olympus PEN E-PL3Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS70
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PL3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS70
Also called as - Lumix DMC-TZ90
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2011-09-20 2017-04-19
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Truepic VI Venus Engine
Sensor type CMOS BSI-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 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4032 x 3024 5184 x 3888
Max native ISO 12800 3200
Max boosted ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 200 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 35 49
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus range - 3cm
Available lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460k dots 1,040k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,166k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.46x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Maximum silent shutter speed - 1/16000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 6.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 5.60 m (at Auto ISO)
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
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/160 seconds -
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) 3840 x 2160 (30p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 313g (0.69 lb) 322g (0.71 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") 112 x 67 x 41mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.6")
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 pictures 380 pictures
Form of battery 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
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $399 $450