Clicky

Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic FZ40

Portability
59
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus E-1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
Portability
68
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38

Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic FZ40 Key Specs

Olympus E-1
(Full Review)
  • 5MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 735g - 141 x 104 x 81mm
  • Released November 2003
  • Replacement is Olympus E-3
Panasonic FZ40
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 494g - 120 x 80 x 92mm
  • Revealed July 2010
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-FZ45
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic FZ40 Overview

Here is a in-depth overview of the Olympus E-1 versus Panasonic FZ40, one being a Pro DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. There is a crucial difference between the sensor resolutions of the E-1 (5MP) and FZ40 (14MP) and the E-1 (Four Thirds) and FZ40 (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor measurements.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

The E-1 was manufactured 7 years prior to the FZ40 and that is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-1 being a Large SLR camera and the Panasonic FZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before diving into a in-depth comparison, here is a quick summary of how the E-1 scores versus the FZ40 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-1 over the Panasonic FZ40

 E-1 FZ40 

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Olympus E-1

 FZ40 E-1 
RevealedJuly 2010November 2003Fresher by 80 months
Display size3"1.8"Larger display (+1.2")
Display resolution230k134kClearer display (+96k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-1 and Panasonic FZ40

 E-1 FZ40 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic FZ40 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry your camera often, you'll have to consider its weight and size. The Olympus E-1 offers external dimensions of 141mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") having a weight of 735 grams (1.62 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FZ40 has specifications of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") with a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-1 versus Panasonic FZ40 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at the time. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the E-1 vs the FZ40.

Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic FZ40 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the E-1 and FZ40 is 59 and 68 respectively.

Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic FZ40 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic FZ40 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is hard to see the gap between sensor sizing purely by checking technical specs. The photograph here will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-1 and FZ40.

As you can tell, both of the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-1 due to its larger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field easier and the Panasonic FZ40 will resolve greater detail due to its extra 9 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images way more aggressively. The older E-1 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic FZ40 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-1
Portrait photography with Panasonic FZ40
46
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
no liveview feature
MP count low (5 megapixels)
46
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
saves RAW formats
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Street Comparison

Olympus E-1 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FZ40 as a Street photography camera
57
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
lighter than competitors (735g)
fixed screen
no image stabilization
51
image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
heavier than competitors (494g)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-1 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FZ40 as a Sports photography camera
40
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
environment proof
supports phase detect AF
no liveview feature
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
MP count low (5MP)
43
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-1 Travel photography information
Panasonic FZ40 Travel photography information
47
lighter than competitors (735 grams)
environment proof
doesn't have Time Lapse function
MP count low (5 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display
54
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
heavier than competitors (494g)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-1 Landscape photography info
Panasonic FZ40 Landscape photography info
46
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
tiny screen (1.8 inches)
no liveview feature
no image stabilization
MP count low (5 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
51
focusing manually
rather wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
saves RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have Time Lapse function
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-1 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FZ40 as a Vlogging camera
9
no video
23
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic support
heavier than competitors (494 grams)
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic FZ40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-1 and Panasonic FZ40
 Olympus E-1Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus E-1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
Other name - Lumix DMC-FZ45
Class Pro DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2003-11-29 2010-07-21
Physical type Large SLR SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Chip - Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CCD 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 5MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 2560 x 1920 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 3 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-600mm (24.0x)
Max aperture - f/2.8-5.2
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Amount of lenses 45 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 1.8 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 134k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.48x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 9.50 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1280x720
Video format - AVCHD Lite
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 735 gr (1.62 lb) 494 gr (1.09 lb)
Physical dimensions 141 x 104 x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures))
Time lapse feature
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $1,700 $420