Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS70
88 Imaging
47 Features
52 Overall
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87 Imaging
46 Features
70 Overall
55
Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS70 Key Specs
(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
(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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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.
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or banThe 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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Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus PEN E-PL3 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS70. The whole galleries are available at Olympus E-PL3 Gallery & Panasonic ZS70 Gallery.
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 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revealed | April 2017 | September 2011 | Fresher by 67 months | |
| Display resolution | 1040k | 460k | Sharper 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 type | Tilting | Tilting | Tilting display | |
| Display size | 3" | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic ZS70 Specifications
| Olympus PEN E-PL3 | Panasonic 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 |