Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic ZS50

Following is a thorough analysis of the Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic ZS50, one is a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. There is a big difference among the sensor resolutions of the PEN-F (20MP) and ZS50 (12MP) and the PEN-F (Four Thirds) and ZS50 (1/2.3") offer totally different sensor sizes.

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The PEN-F was announced 13 months after the ZS50 which makes them a generation away from each other. Both cameras feature different body design with the Olympus PEN-F being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS50 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the PEN-F scores vs the ZS50 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus PEN-F and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50. The whole galleries are provided at Olympus PEN-F Gallery and Panasonic ZS50 Gallery.

For those who are planning to carry around your camera, you should think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus PEN-F offers outer dimensions of 125mm x 72mm x 37mm (4.9" x 2.8" x 1.5") along with a weight of 427 grams (0.94 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS50 has dimensions of 111mm x 65mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 243 grams (0.54 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic ZS50 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you choose during that time. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the PEN-F and the ZS50.

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the PEN-F and ZS50 is 84 and 90 respectively.

Often, it is very hard to visualise the difference in sensor sizes only by going through specifications. The picture here should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the PEN-F and ZS50.

Plainly, both cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The PEN-F using its bigger sensor will make shooting bokeh simpler and the Olympus PEN-F will produce more detail with its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs way more aggressively. The more modern PEN-F is going to have an edge with regard to sensor tech.