Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZR1
89 Imaging
48 Features
52 Overall
49


94 Imaging
35 Features
17 Overall
27
Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZR1 Key Specs
(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
(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

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.

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.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZR1 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus PEN E-PM1 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1. The entire galleries are provided at Olympus E-PM1 Gallery & Panasonic ZR1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Panasonic ZR1
E-PM1 | ZR1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | November 2011 | ![]() | July 2009 | Fresher by 29 months |
Manually focus | ![]() | Very accurate focusing | ||
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZR1 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PM1 | Panasonic 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 |