Olympus E-PL6 vs. Panasonic ZS70: A Hands-On, Practical Camera Showdown for Enthusiasts and Pros

In the vast sea of mirrorless and compact cameras, finding the right tool for your photographic adventures can feel overwhelming - especially when budget constraints loom and technical specs blur into jargon soup. Having personally tested hundreds of cameras over the past 15 years across landscapes, wildlife, portraits, and everything in between, I’m here to cut through the noise and give you a no-nonsense, experience-backed comparison between two popular models: the Olympus PEN E-PL6 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS70.

Despite both cameras coming from Panasonic and Olympus’s Micro Four Thirds family roots, they serve very different roles. Here’s an in-depth look at these two contenders so you, the savvy buyer, can choose confidently - whether you’re stepping up your content creation game or hunting for the perfect travel buddy.

First Impressions - Size, Design, and Ergonomics

Before you even press the shutter, how a camera feels in your hands and fits in your kit matters a lot. I’ve shot with both bodies extensively and found some meaningful differences.

Olympus E-PL6 sports that traditional rangefinder-style mirrorless look, with clean lines and a vintage vibe that Olympus fans love. It’s compact and light at 325g, making it a solid choice if you want to keep your gear lean. The grip is minimal but adequate for smaller hands, though if you have bigger paws, the slight lack of a pronounced club for the thumb might affect handling during prolonged shoots.

In contrast, the Panasonic ZS70 (also known as the TZ90 in some regions) is a slick travel-zoom compact that's almost the same weight at 322g but slightly chunkier due to its built-in 30x zoom lens (24-720mm equivalent). Its boxier, compact form factor means it’s easy to slip into a jacket pocket or daypack without fuss. The grip is less pronounced but benefits from Panasonic’s tried and tested control layout, which is both logical and quick to master.

From a physical perspective, if you need lightweight and ergonomic flexibility for street and casual everyday shooting, the E-PL6 edges out slightly. If you prefer versatility zoomed-in reach for travel or wildlife without swapping lenses, the ZS70 is your pocket powerhouse.

Control Layout and Usability in Real Life

Having quick access to key shooting functions directly influences creativity and responsiveness in the field. Let’s look under the hood for control placement and interface at a glance.

The E-PL6 features a simple, clean top plate with a mode dial, shutter, and dedicated exposure compensation dial. Its controls favor those who like manual or semi-auto exposure control with tactile feedback. Although lacking an integrated viewfinder, its optional EVF accessory adds flexibility for those preferring eye-level composition.

On the other hand, the ZS70 packs a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 100% coverage and 0.46x magnification - surprisingly good for this class of camera. The control layout includes a function button and zoom rocker, crucial for making the most of the 30x lens’s versatility. The camera supports touchscreen focus and settings navigation, giving a blend of tactile and tap-based control. The flip-up screen appeals nicely to vloggers and selfie enthusiasts.

I appreciated the E-PL6's simpler design for users prioritizing photography fundamentals and manual shooting, whereas the ZS70 excels with features catering to hybrid shooters that need stills and video versatility on the go.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

This is where things get fascinating. Sensor size, resolution, and processing pipelines profoundly impact image quality, low-light capabilities, and dynamic range.

The Olympus E-PL6 features a 16MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor measuring 17.3 x 13 mm (224.9 mm² area) - respectable for entry-level mirrorless but noticeably larger than most compacts. The TruePic VI image processor optimizes noise reduction and color reproduction to suit enthusiasts looking for crisp, detailed images. Olympus includes a low pass (anti-alias) filter, which tempers moiré at the expense of ultra-fine resolution.

The Panasonic ZS70 packs a smaller 1/2.3-inch BSI CMOS sensor (about 6.17 x 4.55mm, or 28.07 mm²), with a significantly higher resolution at 20MP. While this sounds like a plus, the tiny sensor size inherently limits dynamic range and low-light performance due to smaller pixel wells. That said, the inclusion of a backside-illuminated design (BSI) helps squeeze more light sensitivity out of the small pixels.

Pragmatically, this means:

• E-PL6 will generally produce better image quality, cleaner images at higher ISOs, and richer color depth, especially under challenging lighting or when enlarging prints beyond A3 size.

• ZS70 trades some image quality for extreme focal range convenience and versatility - perfect for casual shooters and travel photographers who prioritize reach and all-in-one convenience over pixel peeping.

These differences become even more apparent under strict testing conditions involving scene dynamic range, shadow recovery, and noise levels at ISO 1600 and above.

The LCD and Electronic Viewfinder Experience

How you frame your shot matters just as much as image quality, and having a quality screen or viewfinder makes work in bright sunlight or awkward angles easier.

Olympus’s tilting 3-inch LCD display sports a 460k-dot resolution. It’s responsive with touch capabilities supporting focus point selection and menu navigation. However, the comparatively low resolution combined with minimal brightness hampers outdoor usability somewhat. Since there’s no built-in EVF, composition in bright conditions often requires creative use of the LCD tilt or optional external EVF.

Panasonic’s ZS70 offers a higher-res 3-inch touchscreen at 1040k dots, doubling the effective resolution and providing crisp preview images and menu text. This helps immensely when framing, confirming focus, or adjusting settings in harsh sunlight. The integrated OLED EVF with 1166k dots is a massive benefit - not just in resolution but in confidence for action and travel shots where precise composition beats guessing.

To summarize:

• For traditional photographers who like LCD flexibility, the E-PL6’s screen works but feels dated.

• For content creators and hybrid users wanting sharp, bright displays and an EVF, the ZS70 claims the day here.

Autofocus Systems and Shooting Speeds in the Real World

Autofocus performance defines the difference between salvaging a shot and missing it entirely, especially with active subjects or tricky lighting. Let’s see how these two cameras stack up.

Although neither camera uses phase-detection autofocus (which tends to be faster and more accurate in hybrid systems), both rely on contrast-detection with respectable focus point counts (35 vs. 49 points). The ZS70 enjoys a slight edge with more focus points, better face/eye detection, and a faster burst rate at 10 fps versus 8 fps on the E-PL6.

Testing both on moving subjects - like my neighborhood dogs and passerby cyclists - the ZS70’s quick lock-on and tracking delivered more frames in sharp focus, helping ensure usable shots. The E-PL6, while competent, occasionally hesitated under low contrast or in dim lighting.

So, for wildlife and sports enthusiasts on a budget, ZS70’s AF and burst speed tend to pull ahead, though Olympus remains viable for casual motion. The E-PL6’s strength lies in deliberate composition rather than rapid fire.

Lens Systems and Flexibility: Interchangeable vs. Fixed Zoom

When it comes to lenses, buy once, cry once? Or convenience over choice? This comparison represents two very different philosophies.

Olympus E-PL6 supports the Micro Four Thirds mount, giving you access to over 100 native lenses from Olympus and Panasonic along with third-party options like Sigma and Tamron. This system offers vast focal length coverage (from ultra wide 7mm fisheye to ultra-telephoto), aperture choices, and optics designed for high image quality, plus the ability to adapt vintage lenses.

Panasonic ZS70 has a fixed 24-720mm equivalent lens, meaning zero lens changes ever. This is a boon when traveling light or shooting fast but sacrifices optical quality versus prime lenses or larger zoom lenses. Exposure is limited (max aperture F3.3-6.4) impacting low-light and subject isolation potential.

If you enjoy shooting portraits, landscapes, and macro with creative control over depth of field and bokeh, the E-PL6 platform is a clear winner, offering you lenses with wide apertures and optical image stabilization.

If you prioritize travel versatility, wildlife shooting, or casual point-and-shoot convenience, the ZS70’s massive zoom leaves the E-PL6 lens swaps in the dust, literally.

How Do They Perform Across Photography Genres?

No single camera is perfect for every type of photography, so let me break down their user friendliness and performance across popular disciplines.

Olympus E PL6 front Olympus E PL6 screen back Panasonic ZS70 front

Portrait Photography

• E-PL6: Excellent skin tone rendition and depth control thanks to large sensor and MFT fast primes. Eye detection helps nail focus on catchlights.
• ZS70: Decent portraits but flat background separation and slightly harsher JPEG default processing limits creative expression.

Landscape Photography

• E-PL6: Strong dynamic range and resolution capable of large prints, weather resistance absent but less cumbersome.
• ZS70: Moderate dynamic range; smaller sensor means less detail, but extensive zoom helps capture distant vistas.

Wildlife Photography

• E-PL6: Lens swaps required for telephoto reach; burst rate lower.
• ZS70: Built-in 30x zoom shines; AF tracking and fast shooting methods enable capture of animals on the move.

Sports Photography

• E-PL6: Shooting under tricky lighting is limited; decent frame rate.
• ZS70: Fast 10 fps burst and EVF advantage deliver richer experience.

Street Photography

• E-PL6: Rangefinder styling, compact size, and discrete noise levels provide classic street style.
• ZS70: Bulky zoom lens draws attention but touchscreen and flip-out screen aids candid capture.

Macro Photography

• E-PL6: Dependent on lens choice; many macro-ready lenses available.
• ZS70: 3cm macro mode is convenient for casual close-ups.

Night and Astro Photography

• E-PL6: Better ISO capability and sensor size for low-noise astro images.
• ZS70: ISO ceiling and sensor limit high-ISO clarity.

Video Capabilities

• E-PL6: Full HD 1080p at 30fps only; no mic input; sensor-based stabilization helps handheld.
• ZS70: 4K (2160p) at 30fps; 1080p up to 60fps; optical stabilization; no microphone input.

Travel Photography

• E-PL6: Removable lenses add weight; battery life decent.
• ZS70: All-in-one zoom, longer battery life, versatile compact.

Professional Work

• E-PL6: RAW support, manual controls, limited by body build and weather sealing.
• ZS70: RAW support, convenient video modes, compact form good for casual pro work.

Durability, Build Quality, and Battery Life

Neither camera is weather sealed or ruggedized. Both weigh about 320g, easy on the neck for day-long shoots.

Battery life shows a slight edge for the ZS70 (380 shots per charge) versus E-PL6 (360 shots). Considering the ZS70’s power-hungry zoom and EVF, this is respectable. Both use proprietary battery packs; charging times are similar.

Connectivity and Storage Options

Both cameras offer SD card slots supporting SDHC and SDXC cards, ensuring expandable storage up to high capacities.

Olympus E-PL6 supports Eye-Fi card wireless connectivity, which is a bit dated compared to the ZS70's built-in Wi-Fi allowing direct smartphone connections and easier sharing. Neither offer Bluetooth or NFC.

USB 2.0 ports and HDMI outputs are present on both, though HDMI connectivity is mainly for live view and external recording rather than streaming.

Pricing and Value: Where Does Your Dollar Go?

At launch and even on the used market today, the Olympus E-PL6 hovers around \$300 while the Panasonic ZS70 commands about \$450 new. This price difference reflects the ZS70’s newer technology, integrated EVF, and versatile zoom lens.

If you are a budget-conscious cheapskate wanting solid image quality & interchangeable lens flexibility, the E-PL6 is a bargain ripe for hunting deals.

If you want one camera for every occasion, ease of use, and 4K video, the ZS70 justifies its premium.

Side-by-Side Performance Ratings

Putting it all together into performance scores based on real-world testing:

Best Camera for Each Photography Discipline

Here’s a quick table summarizing which camera fits best per genre:

Pros and Cons Summarized

Olympus E-PL6

Pros:

• Larger Four Thirds sensor for better image quality
• Interchangeable lenses - vast creative scope
• TruePic VI processor delivers respectable detail and colors
• Compact and classic ergonomics
• Touchscreen tilting display for flexible composition

Cons:

• No built-in EVF (adds to cost)
• Modest burst speed for action photography
• Lower resolution screen makes outdoor viewing tough
• Limited video specs (no 4K, no mic input)
• No weather sealing

Panasonic ZS70

Pros:

• Integrated 30x zoom lens offers huge focal range
• Built-in EVF elevates framing in bright conditions
• 4K video with 4K photo mode for hybrid shooters
• Fast 10 fps burst and versatile autofocus
• High-resolution touchscreen and selfie-friendly flip LCD
• Built-in Wi-Fi for easy sharing

Cons:

• Small sensor impacts image noise and dynamic range
• Lens aperture limited, challenging low-light shooting
• No external microphone input
• Bulkier than typical pocket compacts
• Price premium over entry-level mirrorless

Final Verdict - Which Camera Should You Buy?

Deciding between the Olympus E-PL6 and the Panasonic ZS70 hinges entirely on your priorities as a photographer or hobbyist:

• Choose Olympus E-PL6 if you:

  • Want better image quality and low-light control
  • Enjoy changing lenses and exploring creative photography
  • Prefer compact mirrorless with classic styling
  • Use stills-centric workflows requiring RAW and manual control
  • Shoot mostly portraits, studio, landscapes

• Choose Panasonic ZS70 if you:

  • Need all-in-one zoom versatility without lens swaps
  • Desire excellent video specs including 4K recording
  • Value quick autofocus, EVF for bright conditions, and portability for travel
  • Want to shoot wildlife or street without fuss
  • Can afford the higher price for convenience and multi-use

If I were to bring one of these cameras on a weeklong trip where packing light mattered, or if I had to photograph fast-moving subjects with minimal gear, the ZS70 wins no contest. It’s a remarkable hybrid for travel and hybrid content creators.

However, for deliberate photographers serious about image quality, lens variety, and manual technique - especially when shooting portraits, controlled lighting, or night sky - the Olympus E-PL6 remains a clever, cost-effective choice with more room to grow your craft.

Happy shooting, and whichever you pick, may your next frame be your best yet.

This comparison draws on extensive hands-on testing, optical bench results, and real-world shooting scenarios spanning over a decade across both cameras’ user communities and my professional experience.