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Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic ZS1

Portability
60
Imaging
46
Features
54
Overall
49
Olympus E-30 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
25
Overall
29

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic ZS1 Key Specs

Olympus E-30
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 695g - 142 x 108 x 75mm
  • Announced March 2009
Panasonic ZS1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Revealed May 2009
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ6
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Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic ZS1 Overview

Lets take a more detailed look at the Olympus E-30 and Panasonic ZS1, former is a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-30 (12MP) and the ZS1 (10MP) is relatively similar but the E-30 (Four Thirds) and ZS1 (1/2.5") offer totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-30 was brought out very close to the ZS1 which means that they are of a similar age. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Panasonic ZS1 being a Compact camera.

Before diving into a thorough comparison, here is a short summation of how the E-30 matches up against the ZS1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-30 over the Panasonic ZS1

 E-30 ZS1 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS1 over the Olympus E-30

 ZS1 E-30 

Common features in the Olympus E-30 and Panasonic ZS1

 E-30 ZS1 
RevealedMarch 2009May 2009Similar age
Screen dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal screen sizing
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Touch screen No Touch screen

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic ZS1 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to travel with your camera, you're going to have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-30 has exterior measurements of 142mm x 108mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") and a weight of 695 grams (1.53 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS1 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).

See the Olympus E-30 and Panasonic ZS1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you use at that time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the E-30 and the ZS1.

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic ZS1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the E-30 and ZS1 is 60 and 91 respectively.

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic ZS1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic ZS1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's hard to see the difference between sensor dimensions purely by going over technical specs. The picture underneath will provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the E-30 and ZS1.

As you have seen, the two cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The E-30 due to its bigger sensor will make achieving bokeh easier and the Olympus E-30 will deliver more detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures a bit more aggressively.

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic ZS1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic ZS1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic ZS1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-30 Portrait photography features
Panasonic ZS1 Portrait photography features
59
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
25
has face detection focusing
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.5")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-30 Street photography features
Panasonic ZS1 Street photography features
72
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (229g)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.5")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-30 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic ZS1 Sports photography highlights
51
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
max frames per second low (5.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12MP)
low battery (750 CIPA)
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.5")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-30 Travel photography info
Panasonic ZS1 Travel photography info
49
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
lack of Timelapse function
low battery (750 shots)
megapixel count low (12MP)
63
lighter than competition in class (229g)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
long zoom (300mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-30 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS1 as a Landscape photography camera
52
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
megapixel count low (12MP)
low battery (750 shots)
lack of Timelapse function
31
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
resolution not great (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.5")
lacks RAW support
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-30 Vlogging information
Panasonic ZS1 Vlogging information
18
can't shoot video
31
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
lighter than competition in class (229g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
low quality video (640 x 480 pxls)
lack of external mic port
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Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic ZS1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-30 and Panasonic ZS1
 Olympus E-30Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus E-30 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ6
Category Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2009-03-24 2009-05-14
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic III+ -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.5"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 5.744 x 4.308mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 24.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Full resolution 4032 x 3024 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 11 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 distance - 3cm
Number of lenses 45 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 6.3
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 2.7" 2.7"
Resolution of display 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology HyperCrystal II LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 98 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 5.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 13.00 m 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, Manual, Fill, Red-eye reduction, Slow sync with red-eye reduction, Slow sync, Slow sync 2nd curtain, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 640x480
Video format - Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 695g (1.53 lbs) 229g (0.50 lbs)
Physical dimensions 142 x 108 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 55 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.3 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.4 not tested
DXO Low light score 530 not tested
Other
Battery life 750 images -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model BLM-1 -
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II) / xD Picture Card SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $1,299 $0