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Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic ZR3

Portability
86
Imaging
55
Features
76
Overall
63
Olympus PEN E-PL8 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
26
Overall
32

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic ZR3 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 357g - 115 x 67 x 38mm
  • Introduced September 2016
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-PL7
  • Later Model is Olympus E-PL9
Panasonic ZR3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 159g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Released January 2010
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-ZX3
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Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic ZR3 Overview

Its time to look closer at the Olympus E-PL8 versus Panasonic ZR3, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-PL8 (16MP) and the ZR3 (14MP) is fairly similar but the E-PL8 (Four Thirds) and ZR3 (1/2.3") feature different sensor sizes.

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The E-PL8 was revealed 6 years later than the ZR3 and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PL8 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZR3 being a Compact camera.

Before delving in to a detailed comparison, below is a concise view of how the E-PL8 scores against the ZR3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL8 over the Panasonic ZR3

 E-PL8 ZR3 
ReleasedSeptember 2016January 2010Fresher by 81 months
Manually focus More accurate focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1037k230kClearer display (+807k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Olympus E-PL8

 ZR3 E-PL8 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL8 and Panasonic ZR3

 E-PL8 ZR3 
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic ZR3 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry your camera frequently, you are going to need to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PL8 enjoys outside measurements of 115mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 357 grams (0.79 lbs) and the Panasonic ZR3 has sizing of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") along with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-PL8 versus Panasonic ZR3 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you select during that time. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the E-PL8 compared to the ZR3.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic ZR3 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL8 and ZR3 is 86 and 94 respectively.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic ZR3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic ZR3 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its difficult to imagine the difference between sensor sizing just by reading specifications. The photograph below should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL8 and ZR3.

To sum up, both cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-PL8 having a larger sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field less difficult and the Olympus E-PL8 will offer more detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The younger E-PL8 provides an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic ZR3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL8
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZR3
73
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
28
MP count decent (14MP)
lack of manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Street photography info
Panasonic ZR3 Street photography info
84
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
includes touch to focus
above average ISO range (25,600)
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Sports photography advice
Panasonic ZR3 Sports photography advice
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers tracking autofocus
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
37
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
supports tracking autofocus
max shutter speed is low (1/1,300 seconds)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Travel photography details
Panasonic ZR3 Travel photography details
72
includes touch to focus
megapixel count decent (16MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
65
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
no Time Lapse recording
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL8
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZR3
80
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
37
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual control
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZR3 as a Vlogging camera
36
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic socket
29
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic port
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Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic ZR3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL8 and Panasonic ZR3
 Olympus PEN E-PL8Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PL8 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
Alternate name - Lumix DMC-ZX3
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2016-09-19 2010-01-26
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VII 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 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 25600 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 80
RAW data
Minimum boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 81 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-200mm (8.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus range - 3cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 1,037 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1300 secs
Continuous shooting speed 8.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 5.30 m
Flash options no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format H.264, Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 357 gr (0.79 lbs) 159 gr (0.35 lbs)
Dimensions 115 x 67 x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 350 images -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $500 $280