Updated (June, 2011): Compare the Olympus PEN E-P3 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-P2

35

Runner-up

Olympus PEN E-P2

Reasons to buy the Olympus PEN E-P2

We are not aware of any reasons to consider buying the Olympus PEN E-P2 over the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1.

differences

Advantages of the Olympus PEN E-P2

Screen size Significantly larger screen 3.0" vs 2.7"
Help
More than 10% larger screen
Sensor size Significantly larger sensor Four thirds 18.0x13.5mm vs 1/2.3" 6.1x4.6mm
Help
More than 8.5x larger sensor
Interchangeable lenses Has interchangeable lenses Yes vs No
Help
Can take advantage of a variety of lenses
Supports RAW Shoots RAW Yes vs No
Help
Digitally develop your own photos with precise image control
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
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 3,200 ISO vs 1,600 ISO
Help
The PEN E-P2's maximum light sensitivity is 1 f-stop better
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-P2 Learn more about
the Olympus PEN E-P2

Advantages of the Panasonic DMC-ZR1

Size Smaller 98x55x26 mm vs 121x70x36 mm
Help
2.2x smaller
Image stabilization Better image stabilization Lens vs Sensor shift
Help
Less risk of blur
Built-in flash Built-in flash Yes vs No
Help
A built-in flash is useful for taking indoor shots where there is little light
Weight Lighter 158 g vs 355 g
Help
2.2x lighter
Thickness Thinner 1" vs 1.4"
Help
Around 30% 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-P2 Olympus PEN E-P2
35 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

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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
Screen resolution Low resolution screens Help
230k dots
Movie format Both shoot high resolution HD movies Help
720p @ 30fps

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

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-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
Screen resolution Has a slightly higher resolution screen
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 significantly higher resolution screen
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker

Olympus PEN E-P2 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Olympus PEN E-PL2

Olympus PEN E-PL2

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$485 with 14-42mm lens

Screen resolution Higher resolution screen
Built-in flash Built-in flash
Size Slightly larger
Dynamic range Less dynamic range
Sony Alpha NEX-5

Sony Alpha NEX-5

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$569 with 18-55mm lens

Screen resolution Much higher resolution screen
Movie format Higher resolution movies
Image stabilization No image stabilization
Lens availability Fewer lenses available
Olympus PEN E-P3

Olympus PEN E-P3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$849 - $900 with 17mm lens

Screen type Has an OLED screen
Movie format Higher resolution movies
Overall image quality Worse image quality
Color depth Worse color depth
Olympus PEN E-P1

Olympus PEN E-P1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$184 body only

$375 with 17mm lens

Lowest price Slightly cheaper
Color depth Worse color depth
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
Built-in flash Built-in flash
Screen size Significantly smaller screen
Overall image quality Slightly worse image quality

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Canon Powershot S100

Canon Powershot S100

Pro digicam

$356 - $430

Aperture Much wider aperture
Movie format Higher resolution movies
Zoom Slightly less zoom
Longest exposure Much shorter max exposures
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Pro digicam

$339

Aperture Much wider aperture
Screen size Significantly larger screen
Size Larger
Zoom Slightly less zoom
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

appearance

Olympus PEN E-P2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
Olympus PEN E-P2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
Olympus PEN E-P2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1

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