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Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
59
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus E-1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs

Olympus E-1
(Full Review)
  • 5MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 735g - 141 x 104 x 81mm
  • Revealed November 2003
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-3
Panasonic ZS3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Released May 2009
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ7
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Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview

In this article, we are contrasting the Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic ZS3, one is a Pro DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Olympus and Panasonic. There is a huge difference among the resolutions of the E-1 (5MP) and ZS3 (10MP) and the E-1 (Four Thirds) and ZS3 (1/2.3") come with different sensor dimensions.

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The E-1 was unveiled 6 years before the ZS3 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-1 being a Large SLR camera and the Panasonic ZS3 being a Compact camera.

Before we go in to a full comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the E-1 grades versus the ZS3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-1 over the Panasonic ZS3

 E-1 ZS3 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Olympus E-1

 ZS3 E-1 
ReleasedMay 2009November 2003Newer by 66 months
Display sizing3"1.8"Larger display (+1.2")
Display resolution460k134kSharper display (+326k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-1 and Panasonic ZS3

 E-1 ZS3 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to travel with your camera often, you'll have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-1 features outside measurements of 141mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") along with a weight of 735 grams (1.62 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS3 has dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic ZS3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are using at the time. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the E-1 vs the ZS3.

Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the E-1 and ZS3 is 59 and 91 respectively.

Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very difficult to picture the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by researching specs. The picture underneath should give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the E-1 and ZS3.

All in all, both cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-1 using its larger sensor is going to make achieving bokeh easier and the Panasonic ZS3 will result in more detail having an extra 5 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos far more aggressively. The more aged E-1 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic ZS3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-1 Portrait photography features
Panasonic ZS3 Portrait photography features
46
manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
does not have liveview
low resolution sensor (5MP)
19
manual focus not available
no manual control
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-1 Street photography advice
Panasonic ZS3 Street photography advice
57
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
lighter than competition in class (735g)
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (229g)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-1
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS3
40
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
weather proof
supports phase detect autofocus
does not have liveview
slow frames per second (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (5MP)
24
built in image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-1 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Travel photography camera
47
lighter than competition in class (735 grams)
weather proof
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low resolution sensor (5MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
63
lighter than others in class (229g)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
great zoom (300mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-1 Landscape photography features
Panasonic ZS3 Landscape photography features
46
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
screen is somewhat small (1.8 inch)
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (5MP)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
35
fairly wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
no manual control
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-1 Vlogging information
Panasonic ZS3 Vlogging information
9
lack of video recording
30
fairly wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (229g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic jack
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Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-1 and Panasonic ZS3
 Olympus E-1Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus E-1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-TZ7
Type Pro DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2003-11-29 2009-05-14
Body design Large SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
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 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 2560 x 1920 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 3 11
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-300mm (12.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus range - 3cm
Available lenses 45 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 1.8 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 134 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.48x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1280x720
Video file format - AVCHD Lite
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 735g (1.62 lbs) 229g (0.50 lbs)
Dimensions 141 x 104 x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail pricing $1,700 $200