Updated (June, 2011): Compare the Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1

47

Reasons to buy the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1

Wide angle
Wide angle lens
25 mm
Image stabilization
Image stabilization
Lens
Weight
Light-weight
158 g
Built-in flash
Built-in flash
Usually standard
Olympus PEN E-PL2

37

Runner-up

Olympus PEN E-PL2

"Its image capture would be limited only by your own expertise."
digital-photography-school.com | talking about the PEN E-PL2's image-quality

Reasons to buy the Olympus PEN E-PL2

Image stabilization
Image stabilization
Sensor shift
Built-in flash
Built-in flash
External flash not needed
External flash
External flash
Better lighting

differences

Advantages of the Olympus PEN E-PL2

Screen size Significantly larger screen 3.0" vs 2.7"
Help
More than 10% larger screen
Screen resolution Higher resolution screen 460k dots vs 230k dots
Help
2x higher resolution screen
Interchangeable lenses Has interchangeable lenses Yes vs No
Help
Can take advantage of a variety of lenses
Sensor size Significantly larger sensor Four thirds 17.3x13.0mm vs 1/2.3" 6.1x4.6mm
Help
Around 8x larger sensor
Supports RAW Shoots RAW Yes vs No
Help
Digitally develop your own photos with precise image control
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 6,400 ISO vs 1,600 ISO
Help
The PEN E-PL2's maximum light sensitivity is 2 f-stops better
True resolution Higher true resolution 12.2 MP vs 9.8 MP
Help
Capture more than 20% more detail in your photos
Sensor type Has a CMOS-family sensor NMOS vs CCD
Help
CMOS-family sensors often produce better quality images
External flash Supports an external flash Yes vs No
Help
An external flash often produces better looking flash images
Fastest shutter speed Significantly faster max shutter speed 1/4000s vs 1/2000s
Help
2x faster max shutter speed
Continuous shooting Shoots slightly faster 3 fps vs 2.3 fps
Help
More than 30% faster continuous shooting
Olympus PEN E-PL2 Learn more about
the Olympus PEN E-PL2

Advantages of the Panasonic DMC-ZR1

Size Smaller 98x55x26 mm vs 115x72x42 mm
Help
2.5x smaller
Image stabilization Better image stabilization Lens vs Sensor shift
Help
Less risk of blur
Weight Lighter 158 g vs 362 g
Help
2.3x lighter
Thickness Thinner 1" vs 1.7"
Help
Around 40% thinner
Light sensitivity (boost) Has boost ISO 6,400 ISO vs None
Help
Allows taking photos in darker situations, often at the cost of additional noise in the image
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 Learn more about
the Panasonic DMC-ZR1
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent digital cameras, and ignoring price

Olympus PEN E-PL2 Olympus PEN E-PL2
37 vs 47
Explain scores
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1. This recommendation, however, should be taken with a grain of salt since it doesn't always make sense to compare a mirrorless interchangeable-lens with a travel zoom.

advice

Need help deciding?

Ask the community!

I am considering either the Olympus PEN E-PL2 or the Panasonic DMC-ZR1,
For example: Taking photos in low light or great family photos or ability to take great photos underwater

Select aspects that are most important to you: (max 3)

Popular tags:

Are you a camera expert? Share your knowledge!

0
votes
by hardi last month
Canon G1X vs Olympus PEN E-PL2

beginner, easy to carry, fast focus

similarities

Compared to recent digital cameras

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Longest exposure Very long exposure times Help
60 seconds
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
HDR Neither has in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually
3D Neither camera can take 3D photos Help
No 3d support
Movie format Both shoot high resolution HD movies Help
720p @ 30fps

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Canon PowerShot G12

Canon PowerShot G12

Pro digicam

$390 - $496

Aperture Has a slightly wider aperture
Supports 24p Records movies in 24p
Longest exposure Much shorter exposures
Thickness Is thicker
Canon Powershot S100

Canon Powershot S100

Pro digicam

$356 - $430

Aperture Has a much wider aperture
Movie format Records higher quality movies
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Longest exposure Much shorter exposures
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$643 - $1,125 body only

$731 - $964 with 14-42mm lens

Movie format Records higher quality movies
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is slightly heavier
Olympus XZ-1

Olympus XZ-1

Pro digicam

$499 - $500

Aperture Has a much wider aperture
Screen resolution Has a slightly higher resolution screen
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Fujifilm Finepix X10

Fujifilm Finepix X10

Pro digicam

$599

Aperture Has a much wider aperture
Movie format Records higher quality movies
Longest exposure Significantly shorter exposures
Thickness Is thicker
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Pro digicam

$339

Aperture Has a much wider aperture
Macro focus Slightly closer macro focusing
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is slightly heavier

Olympus PEN E-PL2 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Olympus PEN E-PL1

Olympus PEN E-PL1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$260 - $279 with 14-42mm lens

External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Color depth Better color depth
Screen size Significantly smaller screen
Movie continuous focus Doesn't focus continuously recording movies
Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3

Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$589 - $600 with 14-42mm lens

Movie format Higher resolution movies
Screen flips out Has a flip-out screen
Light sensitivity Worse maximum light sensitivity
Built-in flash No built-in flash
Olympus PEN E-P2

Olympus PEN E-P2

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$480 with 17mm lens

Size Slightly smaller
Dynamic range More dynamic range
Screen resolution Lower resolution screen
Built-in flash No built-in flash
Olympus PEN E-PM1

Olympus PEN E-PM1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$500 with 14-42mm lens

Movie format Higher resolution movies
3D Takes 3D photos
Built-in flash No built-in flash
Overall image quality Slightly worse image quality
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$376 with 14-42mm lens

Movie format Higher resolution movies
Touch screen Has a touch screen
Image stabilization No image stabilization
Color depth Worse color depth

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3

Travel zoom

$298

Fastest shutter speed Significantly slower max shutter speed
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7

Travel zoom

$361

Screen size Significantly larger screen
GPS Has a GPS
Size Slightly larger
Weight Heavier
Canon ELPH 300 HS

Canon ELPH 300 HS

Compact

$148 - $179

Aperture Significantly wider aperture
Movie format Higher resolution movies
Zoom Slightly less zoom
Longest exposure Much shorter max exposures
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH25

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH25

Travel zoom

$149 - $200

Weight Slightly lighter
Wide angle Worse wide angle
Macro focus Worse macro capability
Samsung TL500

Samsung TL500

Pro digicam

Aperture Much wider aperture
Screen type Has an OLED screen
Movie format Lower resolution movies
Zoom Slightly less zoom

appearance

Olympus PEN E-PL2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
Olympus PEN E-PL2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
Olympus PEN E-PL2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1

discussion

Showing 0 comments