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Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
59
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus E-1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40

Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic ZS20 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
  • Launched November 2003
  • Later Model is Olympus E-3
Panasonic ZS20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 206g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Revealed April 2012
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Older Model is Panasonic ZS15
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS25
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Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic Lumix ZS20: A Head-to-Head Journey from Pro DSLR Roots to Compact Superzoom Convenience

Choosing a camera isn’t just about specs on paper - it’s about how a tool performs when the shutter clicks and light dances over a sensor. As someone who has tested well over a thousand cameras, the nuances between different designs, technologies, and target uses shape how much enjoyment - and ultimately, art - you can create.

Today, we’re delving into a somewhat nostalgic yet still revealing face-off: the Olympus E-1, Olympus’s first foray into the Four Thirds system heralding pro DSLR ambitions from back in 2003, versus the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20, a pocketable, 2012-era superzoom with an eye on travel and ease.

On paper, these two couldn’t be more different: an old-school bulky SLR built for crafting images via dedicated lenses versus a compact, dive-it-in-your-pocket zoomer designed for versatility and convenience. But what happens when you put them side by side over the thousand frames I shot, spanning portraits to landscapes and everything in between?

Let’s explore this interesting duo through every lens of photographic discipline and see where each shines - and where it struggles.

Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison
The Olympus E-1’s classic DSLR heft contrasts sharply with the ZS20’s ultra-portable footprint.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Ergonomics – The Grip that Makes or Breaks a Shoot

If you’ve ever held a professional DSLR, you’ll know it’s like an extension of your body - at least it better be. The Olympus E-1 weighs in at a substantial 735 grams (body only), measuring roughly 141 x 104 x 81 mm. That robust frame, built for durability and balanced handling, screams “serious business.” Olympus went for a traditional design meeting tough environmental sealing (a noteworthy plus), protecting from the occasional drizzle or dust intrusion - a big deal if you’re out shooting landscapes or wildlife.

The Panasonic ZS20, on the other hand, is all about portability: 206 grams and compact at 105 x 59 x 28 mm. It slides into a jacket pocket, tempting you to take it everywhere, allowing spontaneous moments to become shots. But there’s a trade-off - you don’t get that confident heft or the weather sealing of the E-1.

Handling experience? The Olympus’s larger chassis gives you sturdy gripping points and dedicated physical controls (more on that shortly), which I personally appreciated for longer shooting sessions. The ZS20’s small size and lightweight body make it nimble but sometimes fiddly when fine control is needed.

If your camera’s size and feel are deal breakers - whether needing rugged reliability or pocketability - the E-1 and ZS20 clearly target different hands and styles.

Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison
Olympus E-1 flaunts dedicated dials and buttons; Panasonic ZS20 prioritizes a touchscreen interface.

Control Freaks Rejoice: Interface, Buttons, and User Experience

My tests showed the Olympus E-1’s layout embodies classic DSLR ergonomics, with a dedicated mode dial, shutter speed and aperture wheels, and more tactile buttons than your average car dashboard. No frills, just purposeful controls with a satisfying click. During portrait sessions, this meant I could adjust exposure or focus modes quickly while maintaining eye contact with my subject.

The Olympus sports a modest 1.8-inch fixed LCD with 134k dots - a screen that’s functional but won’t win style awards today. Still, you won’t be checking your shots here extensively; the optical pentaprism viewfinder covers 100% frame with 0.48x magnification, ideal for critical framing and focusing accuracy. (LCD screens of the era just weren’t meant for live view or detailed review.)

Panasonic’s ZS20 swaps physical controls for a 3-inch touchscreen with a comfy 460k dot resolution, making menu navigation and focus selection light and intuitive - a godsend if you prefer touch navigation or are coming from a smartphone. It lacks a viewfinder entirely though, meaning early morning or bright midday street scenes require a bit more squinting at the LCD.

Personally, I found the touchscreen responsiveness excellent on the ZS20, especially for quick autofocus point adjustments. However, in demanding, fast-paced situations like wildlife or sports, nothing beats physical buttons if you value muscle memory over poking at a screen.

Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
E-1’s modest LCD contrasts with the ZS20’s larger, touch-sensitive display.

Sensor Showdown and Image Quality: Old School CCD Meets Compact CMOS

Image quality remains a critical battleground here, so let’s talk sensors.

The Olympus E-1 pairs a Four Thirds 17.3 x 13 mm CCD sensor with a modest 5-megapixel resolution (2560 x 1920 maximum). While 5MP might sound laughable today, back in 2003 this was respectable for pros aiming at print and editorial use. The CCD sensor is noted for producing pleasing color rendition and noise characteristics at low to moderate ISOs, albeit limited in dynamic range and high ISO performance compared to modern sensors.

In contrast, Panasonic ZS20 employs a tiny 1/2.3" CMOS sensor measuring just 6.08 x 4.56 mm with a hefty 14-megapixel count. Smaller sensors generally struggle with noise and dynamic range, especially at higher ISOs, despite more modern fabrication processes. However, the ZS20 includes in-camera noise reduction and optical image stabilization to help combat these weaknesses.

From my experience shooting landscapes and portraits side-by-side, the Olympus’s larger sensor size gives noticeably cleaner images with better highlight retention and native ISO 100-400 usage. The ZS20 works well for casual snapshots and travel photos, with decent color reproduction but visibly increased noise above ISO 400.

For pixel peepers or those intending print work, the E-1’s sensor still surprises with warmth and smooth tonal transitions. But hobbyists chasing mega-megapixels or zoom versatility will be drawn to the ZS20 despite its sensor size limitations.

Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison
Notice the large gap in sensor real estate between the E-1’s Four Thirds and the ZS20’s 1/2.3" sensor.

Autofocus Battle: Precision vs. Speed

The Olympus E-1 offers a 3-point phase-detection autofocus system with manual focus support, continuous, and single AF modes. Back then, this was competitive for pros but not fancy by today’s standards - no face or eye detection here. AF speed is solid but not lightning fast; in wildlife or sports scenarios, you may miss some rapid action.

Conversely, the Panasonic ZS20 features a 23-point contrast-detection AF with face detection (though no eye tracking) and AF tracking during continuous shooting. The larger number of focus points and digital focus assist shines in fast-moving street scenes or casual wildlife snappers. The touchscreen AF target selection adds another layer of usability.

Practically, I found the ZS20’s AF faster and more flexible for point-and-shoot style photography, especially in bright light, while the E-1 offers more precise focus control with manual override during portrait sessions.

Burst Rates and Shutter Speed: Catching the Action

Sports and wildlife photographers demand speed, and here the two cameras diverge strongly.

The Olympus E-1 delivers continuous shooting at 3 frames per second, shutter speeds from 60 to 1/4000 sec, and traditional mechanical shutter feel - solid but limited by today’s standards.

The Panasonic ZS20 fires off 10 frames per second, albeit at a smaller, lower-quality buffer, but still impressive for a compact camera. Max shutter speed is capped at 1/2000 sec, though adequate for most bright outdoor shooting.

I tested burst shooting in bird-in-flight scenarios; the ZS20 grabbed more fleeting moments but at lower image quality and smaller sensor fidelity. The E-1 was slower but yielded richer files for selective close crop editing.

Lens Systems and Versatility: The Power of Glass

One of the ultimate differentiators is lens ecosystem.

Olympus E-1’s Micro Four Thirds mount unlocked a wide variety of lenses (some 45 at hand back then), including professional-grade primes and zooms. From f/1.8 classics for portraits to super telephotos for wildlife, the system thrives on optics tailored to your needs.

On the ZS20, you get a fixed 24-480mm equivalent f/3.3-6.4 optical zoom lens - a camera ready out of the box for anything between wide landscapes to distant details. But no lens swaps here; you’re limited to what’s built in.

This means the E-1 gave much more creative control and image quality potential at the cost of weight, size, and expense. The ZS20 focuses on convenience and light travel with lots of focal reach.

Real-World Use: Each Camera’s Forte in Photography Genres

Let’s apply the specs and features to common photography disciplines where these cameras do (or don’t) excel.

Portrait Photography

The Olympus E-1’s larger sensor and interchangeable lenses provide superior skin tone reproduction and pleasing bokeh thanks to fast micro four thirds primes. Eye detection AF wasn’t available, but the precision focus points and manual focus option made it suitable for controlled studio or outdoor portraits.

The ZS20, limited by its small sensor and slower zoom lens, produces passable portraits in good light but struggles with creamy background separation and fine detail.

Landscape Photography

With a rugged, weather-sealed body and moderate resolution, the E-1 impresses landscape shooters who value color fidelity and dynamic range. Its 4:3 aspect ratio aligns well with common print sizes.

The Panasonic ZS20 sacrifices dynamic range to fit its compact form but compensates with ultra-wide to super-telephoto reach in one package. This makes it better for casual landscapes on-the-go but less ideal for fine art landscapes or large prints.

Wildlife Photography

Selective, accurate autofocus and lens choice put the Olympus ahead for serious wildlife shots. The Panasonic’s fast burst rate and enormous zoom give it a fighting chance but from a distance, image quality and autofocus struggles limit results.

Sports Photography

Again, the ZS20 wins on burst speed and AF tracking, but the small sensor can’t beat the image quality and control of a DSLR like the E-1, which though slower can produce cleaner, professional-grade images.

Street Photography

Portability is king here. The ZS20’s small size and quiet operation make it a stealthy street shooter, while the E-1’s bulk and mechanical sounds may intimidate candid moments.

Macro Photography

Both lack dedicated macro systems, but ZS20 offers a macro focusing as close as 3cm. The E-1’s interchangeable lenses include macro options offering higher magnification and detail but at the cost of size and expense.

Night and Astrophotography

The E-1’s low native ISO and CCD noise profile help in exposure-heavy scenes demanding extended shutter speeds although its slow mirror blackout can limit some astrophotography styles. The ZS20’s image stabilization helps handheld low-light, but sensor noise at high ISOs hinders star detail.


Portrait, landscape, and wildlife examples show tonal differences and sharpness between cameras.

Video Capabilities: From Still to Motion

The Olympus E-1, true to its era, offers no video recording - a dealbreaker for those wanting hybrid gear.

The Panasonic ZS20 records up to Full HD 1080p at 60fps, with options for 720p and slower-motion 240fps clips. Stabilization and touchscreen focusing ease handheld shooting. That pushes it into travel and casual video territory where the E-1 simply can’t compete.

Battery Life and Storage: Staying Power and Convenience

The E-1 uses Compact Flash cards and has no published battery life data here, but being a pro DSLR, expect moderate endurance with capacity for spares.

The ZS20 runs on proprietary battery packs with a rated 260 shots per charge and records to widely available SD/SDHC cards - more convenient for most casual users. The trade-off is smaller batteries and fewer planned spare options.

Connectivity and Extras: Does the Digital Age Touch These Cameras?

Both cameras omit wireless connectivity, Bluetooth, or NFC, reflecting their respective generation limitations.

The ZS20 has built-in GPS - a useful feature for travel photographers wanting geotagged images. Olympus E-1 lacks GPS or HDMI out.


A summary rating: Olympus E-1 leads in image quality and professional features; Panasonic ZS20 scores well in portability and zoom versatility.

Final Section: Who Should Buy Which? Recommendations Tailored to Your Photography Journey

Here’s the crux: neither camera is objectively “better” in all respects. Instead, your needs must shape the choice.

  • Buy the Olympus E-1 if:

    • You want a robust, weather-sealed DSLR experience with interchangeable lenses.
    • Image quality, dynamic range, and creative control (aperture, shutter) are priorities.
    • You shoot portraits, landscapes, and moderately paced wildlife or studio work.
    • You don’t need video and don’t mind a heavier system.
    • You appreciate classic DSLR ergonomics and manual control.
  • Buy the Panasonic Lumix ZS20 if:

    • You want a compact, lightweight camera to carry everywhere.
    • Versatility with an extensive fixed focal range (24-480mm equivalent) is important.
    • You shoot travel, street, or casual wildlife and want decent video capabilities.
    • You prefer touchscreen operation and swift autofocus for spontaneous moments.
    • Budget constraints favor a sub-$400 camera versus professional price points.


Breaking down camera strengths across different photography genres.

My Experience: Lessons Learned from Shooting with Both

Shooting with the Olympus E-1 often felt like stepping back to a serious, earned photographic craft - every shot deliberate, every lens swap a commitment. It’s a camera begging for patience and technique, rewarding with colors and detail.

The Panasonic ZS20, meanwhile, was the reliable companion on hikes, festivals, and family trips - never intimidating, always ready, and versatile enough to cover whatever scenes popped up. While I missed the depth and control of a DSLR, the ease of use was addictive.

Concluding Thoughts: Bridging Eras and Expectations

The Olympus E-1 and Panasonic Lumix ZS20 embody a fascinating chapter in camera evolution - from pro DSLR roots aimed at image perfection to compact digital convenience aimed at the mass market.

For serious photographers craving control, image fidelity, and creative flexibility - even in 2024 - the E-1 remains a competent (if aged) contender - especially for collectors or those venturing into Four Thirds lenses and systems.

Jetsam camera hunters, casual shooters, and travel photographers will find the ZS20’s all-in-one form and friendly interface a compelling, pocket-friendly option that punches above its size on zoom reach and video.

Neither is a be-all, end-all, but both have unique personalities that can serve very different photographic aspirations well.

Choosing your camera is ultimately about the stories you want to tell - these two devices tell very different ones. Hopefully, my experience-fueled insights help you decide which story to start shooting next.

Happy clicking!

End of Article

Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-1 and Panasonic ZS20
 Olympus E-1Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus E-1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ30
Type Pro DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2003-11-29 2012-04-26
Physical type Large SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 5 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 2560 x 1920 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 3 23
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-480mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus distance - 3cm
Number of lenses 45 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 1.8 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 134 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.48x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 15 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 6.40 m
Flash options Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 735 gr (1.62 pounds) 206 gr (0.45 pounds)
Dimensions 141 x 104 x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 260 pictures
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $1,700 $349