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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZR1

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZR1 Key Specs

Olympus E-PM1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 265g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Launched November 2011
  • Renewed by Olympus E-PM2
Panasonic ZR1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 158g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Revealed July 2009
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-ZX1
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZR1 Overview

Let's examine more in depth at the Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic ZR1, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-PM1 (12MP) and the ZR1 (12MP) is relatively close but the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and ZR1 (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-PM1 was brought out 2 years later than the ZR1 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZR1 being a Compact camera.

Before going in to a in depth comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the E-PM1 matches up vs the ZR1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Panasonic ZR1

 E-PM1 ZR1 
RevealedNovember 2011July 2009Fresher by 29 months
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR1 over the Olympus E-PM1

 ZR1 E-PM1 

Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic ZR1

 E-PM1 ZR1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZR1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry your camera, you are going to need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PM1 enjoys external measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) and the Panasonic ZR1 has dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic ZR1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are working with at that moment. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the E-PM1 vs the ZR1.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZR1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PM1 and ZR1 is 89 and 94 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZR1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZR1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to see the contrast in sensor sizing simply by researching technical specs. The photograph here will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PM1 and ZR1.

As you can tell, both of the cameras have got the exact same MP albeit not the same sensor sizing. The E-PM1 contains the bigger sensor which should make getting bokeh less difficult. The newer E-PM1 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZR1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZR1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZR1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Portrait photography information
Panasonic ZR1 Portrait photography information
60
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detection focusing
exports RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
21
no manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Street photography advice
Panasonic ZR1 Street photography advice
75
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
fixed screen
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Sports photography information
Panasonic ZR1 Sports photography information
49
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers tracking autofocus
low fps (6.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have phase detect AF
25
image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZR1 as a Travel photography camera
45
missing Time Lapse mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
57
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic ZR1 Landscape photography highlights
65
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse mode
32
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual control
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Timelapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Vlogging information
Panasonic ZR1 Vlogging information
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing external mic port
28
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone jack
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZR1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic ZR1
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PM1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-ZX1
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2011-11-23 2009-07-27
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VI Venus Engine V
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 12800 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 35 11
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-200mm (8.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus distance - 3cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 6.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 5.10 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 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) 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 file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 265 grams (0.58 lb) 158 grams (0.35 lb)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 52 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.3 not tested
DXO Low light score 499 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 shots -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery model BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $499 $280