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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZR3

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
26
Overall
32

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZR3 Key Specs

Olympus E-PM1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 265g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Introduced November 2011
  • Later Model is Olympus E-PM2
Panasonic ZR3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 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
  • 159g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Announced January 2010
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-ZX3
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZR3 Overview

In this article, we will be comparing the Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic ZR3, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-PM1 (12MP) and the ZR3 (14MP) is relatively close but the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and ZR3 (1/2.3") feature different sensor size.

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The E-PM1 was launched 23 months later than the ZR3 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZR3 being a Compact camera.

Before going in to a thorough comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the E-PM1 scores against the ZR3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Panasonic ZR3

 E-PM1 ZR3 
AnnouncedNovember 2011January 2010More recent by 23 months
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Olympus E-PM1

 ZR3 E-PM1 

Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic ZR3

 E-PM1 ZR3 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZR3 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to lug around your camera frequently, you should factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PM1 has external dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) and the Panasonic ZR3 has proportions of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic ZR3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilising at that moment. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the E-PM1 vs the ZR3.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZR3 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PM1 and ZR3 is 89 and 94 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZR3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZR3 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very tough to imagine the contrast in sensor measurements merely by viewing specs. The visual here will give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PM1 and ZR3.

All in all, the 2 cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The E-PM1 featuring a bigger sensor is going to make shooting bokeh easier and the Panasonic ZR3 will render extra detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The newer E-PM1 provides a benefit in sensor tech.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZR3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Portrait photography information
Panasonic ZR3 Portrait photography information
60
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
resolution not great (12MP)
28
good MP (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Street photography information
Panasonic ZR3 Street photography information
75
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
screen is fixed
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PM1
Sports photography with Panasonic ZR3
49
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
36
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
features tracking focus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,300 seconds)
max frames per second low (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZR3 as a Travel photography camera
45
no Timelapse function
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display
64
good MP (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Landscape photography features
Panasonic ZR3 Landscape photography features
65
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
no Timelapse function
37
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7")
no manual mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZR3 as a Vlogging camera
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display
no microphone port
29
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic socket
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZR3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic ZR3
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PM1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
Other name - Lumix DMC-ZX3
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-11-23 2010-01-26
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VI 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 surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4032 x 3024 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 12800 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 35 11
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-200mm (8.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing range - 3cm
Available lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1300s
Continuous shooting rate 6.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 5.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 265 grams (0.58 lb) 159 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 All around rating 52 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 499 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 photos -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $499 $280