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Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic ZS40

Portability
59
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus E-1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 front
Portability
90
Imaging
43
Features
58
Overall
49

Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic ZS40 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
  • Announced November 2003
  • Renewed by Olympus E-3
Panasonic ZS40
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 240g - 111 x 64 x 34mm
  • Launched January 2014
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ60
  • Replaced the Panasonic ZS35
  • Newer Model is Panasonic ZS45
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Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic ZS40 Overview

In this article, we are contrasting the Olympus E-1 versus Panasonic ZS40, former is a Pro DSLR while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. There is a considerable difference among the resolutions of the E-1 (5MP) and ZS40 (18MP) and the E-1 (Four Thirds) and ZS40 (1/2.3") come with different sensor dimensions.

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The E-1 was manufactured 11 years earlier than the ZS40 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-1 being a Large SLR camera and the Panasonic ZS40 being a Compact camera.

Before diving through a in depth comparison, below is a brief summary of how the E-1 grades against the ZS40 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-1 over the Panasonic ZS40

 E-1 ZS40 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Olympus E-1

 ZS40 E-1 
LaunchedJanuary 2014November 2003More modern by 123 months
Display sizing3"1.8"Larger display (+1.2")
Display resolution920k134kClearer display (+786k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-1 and Panasonic ZS40

 E-1 ZS40 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic ZS40 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus E-1 has got physical 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) and the Panasonic ZS40 has sizing of 111mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-1 versus Panasonic ZS40 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you use during that time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the E-1 and the ZS40.

Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic ZS40 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the E-1 and ZS40 is 59 and 90 respectively.

Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic ZS40 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic ZS40 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very hard to picture the contrast in sensor sizes only by researching technical specs. The picture underneath may give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the E-1 and ZS40.

As you have seen, both of these cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The E-1 due to its larger sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF easier and the Panasonic ZS40 will render greater detail due to its extra 13MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos far more aggressively. The more aged E-1 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic ZS40 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-1 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS40 as a Portrait photography camera
46
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
no liveview
megapixel count low (5 megapixels)
52
manual focus
MP count decent (18MP)
supports face detect focus
delivers RAW files
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-1 Street photography highlights
Panasonic ZS40 Street photography highlights
57
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
lighter than competition (735g)
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
69
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competition (240g)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-1 Sports photography factors
Panasonic ZS40 Sports photography factors
40
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
no liveview
max frames per second very slow (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (5 megapixels)
54
amazing zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (18MP)
supports tracking focus
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-1 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic ZS40 Travel photography highlights
47
lighter than competition (735g)
weather proofing
lack of Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (5 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
69
lighter than competition (240g)
MP count decent (18MP)
built-in flash
really wide (24mm)
great zoom (720mm)
lack of Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-1 Landscape photography features
Panasonic ZS40 Landscape photography features
46
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
screen is somewhat small (1.8")
no liveview
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (5MP)
lack of Timelapse mode
56
manual focus
really wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
delivers RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-1 Vlogging features
Panasonic ZS40 Vlogging features
9
no video
34
really wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (240 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of microphone port
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Olympus E-1 vs Panasonic ZS40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-1 and Panasonic ZS40
 Olympus E-1Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus E-1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ60
Type Pro DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2003-11-29 2014-01-06
Body design Large SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Venus Engine
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 5 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 2560 x 1920 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Max enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 3 23
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-720mm (30.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus distance - 3cm
Total lenses 45 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 1.8" 3"
Screen resolution 134k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech - TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 200k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.48x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 6.40 m
Flash options Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 735g (1.62 pounds) 240g (0.53 pounds)
Dimensions 141 x 104 x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") 111 x 64 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3")
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 - 300 photographs
Style 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
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $1,700 $450