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Olympus E-400 vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
77
Imaging
44
Features
31
Overall
38
Olympus E-400 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40

Olympus E-400 vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs

Olympus E-400
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 435g - 130 x 91 x 53mm
  • Launched September 2006
  • Later Model is Olympus E-410
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
  • Introduced April 2012
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Older Model is Panasonic ZS15
  • Newer Model is Panasonic ZS25
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Olympus E-400 vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

Here, we are evaluating the Olympus E-400 and Panasonic ZS20, one being a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. There is a significant difference between the image resolutions of the E-400 (10MP) and ZS20 (14MP) and the E-400 (Four Thirds) and ZS20 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-400 was manufactured 6 years earlier than the ZS20 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-400 being a Compact SLR camera and the Panasonic ZS20 being a Compact camera.

Before diving into a thorough comparison, here is a concise view of how the E-400 grades against the ZS20 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-400 over the Panasonic ZS20

 E-400 ZS20 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Olympus E-400

 ZS20 E-400 
IntroducedApril 2012September 2006Fresher by 68 months
Display size3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k215kClearer display (+245k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-400 and Panasonic ZS20

 E-400 ZS20 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Olympus E-400 vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-400 has exterior measurements of 130mm x 91mm x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") and a weight of 435 grams (0.96 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS20 has proportions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-400 and Panasonic ZS20 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are using at that time. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the E-400 compared to the ZS20.

Olympus E-400 vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the E-400 and ZS20 is 77 and 92 respectively.

Olympus E-400 vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-400 vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to visualise the difference between sensor sizing purely by reading through technical specs. The graphic here will give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the E-400 and ZS20.

As you have seen, both of those cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-400 due to its larger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF less difficult and the Panasonic ZS20 will give more detail due to its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop images way more aggressively. The older E-400 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-400 vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-400 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-400 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-400 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Portrait photography camera
46
focusing manually
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
no liveview
no manual exposure
low MP (10 megapixels)
30
resolution is good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus E-400 Street photography features
Panasonic ZS20 Street photography features
60
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
65
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides touch to focus
lighter than competitors in class (206 grams)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-400
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS20
38
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has phase detect AF
no liveview
slow fps (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
low MP (10MP)
47
excellent zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (260 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-400 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Travel photography camera
49
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
low MP (10MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
68
lighter than competitors in class (206 grams)
provides touch to focus
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (24mm)
very long reach (480mm)
no Time Lapse recording
bad battery pack (260 shots)
does not contain selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-400 Landscape photography details
Panasonic ZS20 Landscape photography details
45
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
small screen (2.5 inch)
no liveview
no manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
low MP (10 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse mode
42
decently wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
bad battery pack (260 shots)
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-400 Vlogging advice
Panasonic ZS20 Vlogging advice
9
no video
34
decently wide (24mm)
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors in class (206g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly display
no external mic port
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Olympus E-400 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-400 and Panasonic ZS20
 Olympus E-400Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus E-400 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ30
Class Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2006-09-14 2012-04-26
Body design Compact 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 10 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3648 x 2736 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 3 23
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-480mm (20.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing distance - 3cm
Amount of lenses 45 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5" 3"
Display resolution 215k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 15 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 10.00 m (at ISO 100) 6.40 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 435 gr (0.96 lb) 206 gr (0.45 lb)
Physical dimensions 130 x 91 x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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
Battery life - 260 images
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail price $599 $349