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Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
86
Imaging
54
Features
76
Overall
62
Olympus PEN E-PL8 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic ZS3 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
  • Successor is Olympus E-PL9
Panasonic ZS3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Announced May 2009
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ7
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Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview

Here is a in depth analysis of the Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic ZS3, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a crucial gap among the image resolutions of the E-PL8 (16MP) and ZS3 (10MP) and the E-PL8 (Four Thirds) and ZS3 (1/2.3") posses totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PL8 was introduced 7 years later than the ZS3 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL8 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS3 being a Compact camera.

Before diving into a complete comparison, here is a short overview of how the E-PL8 scores against the ZS3 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL8 over the Panasonic ZS3

 E-PL8 ZS3 
AnnouncedSeptember 2016May 2009Fresher by 90 months
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1037k460kSharper display (+577k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Olympus E-PL8

 ZS3 E-PL8 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL8 and Panasonic ZS3

 E-PL8 ZS3 
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry your camera often, you need to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL8 features physical dimensions of 115mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") having a weight of 357 grams (0.79 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS3 has specifications of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic ZS3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you use during that time. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the E-PL8 versus the ZS3.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL8 and ZS3 is 86 and 91 respectively.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very hard to envision the contrast in sensor sizing simply by checking out technical specs. The photograph here should give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL8 and ZS3.

As you can tell, each of these cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-PL8 with its larger sensor will make achieving bokeh simpler and the Olympus E-PL8 will show extra detail using its extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics more aggressively. The more recent E-PL8 will have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic ZS3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Portrait photography info
Panasonic ZS3 Portrait photography info
72
has manual focus
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focus
saves RAW formats
19
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
no external flash support
MP count low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Street photography highlights
Panasonic ZS3 Street photography highlights
84
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
includes touch focus
very good high ISO (25,600)
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (229g)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Sports photography features
Panasonic ZS3 Sports photography features
67
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
does not have phase detect auto focus
24
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
MP count low (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Travel photography advice
Panasonic ZS3 Travel photography advice
71
includes touch focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
63
lighter than others in class (229g)
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
long zoom (300mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
MP count low (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic ZS3 Landscape photography highlights
80
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
very good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
35
really wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
no manual exposure
MP count low (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Vlogging information
Panasonic ZS3 Vlogging information
35
touch screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
lack of external microphone port
30
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (229 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic socket
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Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL8 and Panasonic ZS3
 Olympus PEN E-PL8Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PL8 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ7
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2016-09-19 2009-05-14
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VII -
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 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 25600 6400
Min native ISO 200 80
RAW files
Min enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 81 11
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-300mm (12.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus distance - 3cm
Total lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 1,037 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 8.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format H.264, Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 357g (0.79 lbs) 229g (0.50 lbs)
Physical dimensions 115 x 67 x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 pictures -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $500 $200