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Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
85
Imaging
55
Features
78
Overall
64
Olympus PEN E-PL9 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL9
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 6400 (Increase to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 380g - 117 x 68 x 39mm
  • Announced February 2018
  • Superseded the Olympus E-PL8
Panasonic ZS3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Revealed May 2009
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ7
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Olympus E-PL9 and Panasonic ZS3, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Olympus and Panasonic. There is a large difference among the sensor resolutions of the E-PL9 (16MP) and ZS3 (10MP) and the E-PL9 (Four Thirds) and ZS3 (1/2.3") provide different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PL9 was launched 8 years later than the ZS3 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL9 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS3 being a Compact camera.

Before getting right into a thorough comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the E-PL9 grades vs the ZS3 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL9 over the Panasonic ZS3

 E-PL9 ZS3 
RevealedFebruary 2018May 2009Fresher by 107 months
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1040k460kSharper screen (+580k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Olympus E-PL9

 ZS3 E-PL9 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL9 and Panasonic ZS3

 E-PL9 ZS3 
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL9 provides outer dimensions of 117mm x 68mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") having a weight of 380 grams (0.84 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS3 has specifications of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-PL9 and Panasonic ZS3 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the E-PL9 vs the ZS3.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL9 and ZS3 is 85 and 91 respectively.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its tough to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing purely by seeing a spec sheet. The graphic here may give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL9 and ZS3.

Clearly, the two cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-PL9 featuring a bigger sensor is going to make shooting bokeh simpler and the Olympus E-PL9 will show extra detail utilizing its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The younger E-PL9 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic ZS3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL9
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS3
73
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focus
saves RAW files
19
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
external flash not possible
low MP (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Street photography highlights
Panasonic ZS3 Street photography highlights
84
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
features focus via touch
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (229 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Sports photography features
Panasonic ZS3 Sports photography features
69
silent shooting (1/16,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
no phase detect auto focus
24
image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic ZS3 Travel photography highlights
77
connects via bluetooth
features focus via touch
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
screen isn't selfie friendly
63
lighter than competition in class (229g)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
great reach (300mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low MP (10 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic ZS3 Landscape photography factors
80
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
35
relatively wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
no manual mode
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Vlogging details
Panasonic ZS3 Vlogging details
35
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have microphone jack
30
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (229 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic port
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL9 and Panasonic ZS3
 Olympus PEN E-PL9Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL9 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Alternative name - Lumix DMC-TZ7
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2018-02-08 2009-05-14
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VIII -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias 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 6400 6400
Max enhanced ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 200 80
RAW files
Lowest enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 121 11
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-300mm (12.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing range - 3cm
Available lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 1,040k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Max quiet shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shutter speed 8.6 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 7.60 m (at ISO 200) 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, manual, redeye reduction, slow sync w/redeye reduction, slow sync , slow sync 2nd-curtain, fill-in, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 380 grams (0.84 lbs) 229 grams (0.50 lbs)
Physical dimensions 117 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 350 photos -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I supported) SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail cost $599 $200