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Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic ZS1

Portability
77
Imaging
44
Features
36
Overall
40
Olympus E-420 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
25
Overall
29

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic ZS1 Key Specs

Olympus E-420
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 426g - 130 x 91 x 53mm
  • Introduced June 2008
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-410
Panasonic ZS1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • 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
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ6
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Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic ZS1 Overview

In this article, we are looking at the Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic ZS1, one being a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-420 (10MP) and the ZS1 (10MP) is fairly close but the E-420 (Four Thirds) and ZS1 (1/2.5") use totally different sensor size.

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The E-420 was brought out 10 months prior to the ZS1 so they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-420 being a Compact SLR camera and the Panasonic ZS1 being a Compact camera.

Before diving through a full comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the E-420 scores versus the ZS1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-420 over the Panasonic ZS1

 E-420 ZS1 
Manually focus Very exact focusing

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS1 over the Olympus E-420

 ZS1 E-420 
RevealedMay 2009June 2008Fresher by 10 months

Common features in the Olympus E-420 and Panasonic ZS1

 E-420 ZS1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent display size
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic ZS1 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera, you have to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-420 features external measurements of 130mm x 91mm x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") with a weight of 426 grams (0.94 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS1 has proportions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic ZS1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are working with during that time. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the E-420 against the ZS1.

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic ZS1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-420 and ZS1 is 77 and 91 respectively.

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic ZS1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic ZS1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very tough to visualise the gap in sensor sizing just by looking through a spec sheet. The photograph here might provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-420 and ZS1.

As you can see, both of those cameras offer the same exact megapixels but not the same sensor sizing. The E-420 provides the larger sensor which is going to make achieving shallower depth of field less difficult. The older E-420 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic ZS1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic ZS1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic ZS1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-420 Portrait photography features
Panasonic ZS1 Portrait photography features
56
manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
low MP (10MP)
25
comes with face detect focusing
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
low resolution sensor (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-420 Street photography factors
Panasonic ZS1 Street photography factors
64
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
lighter than others (426 grams)
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (229 grams)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-420
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS1
38
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
sensor has phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (4.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
low MP (10 megapixels)
terrible battery (500 shots)
24
image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (3.0 fps)
no shutter priority
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.5")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-420
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS1
52
lighter than others (426 grams)
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse function
terrible battery (500 CIPA)
low MP (10MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
63
lighter than others in class (229g)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
long reach (300mm)
missing Timelapse mode
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-420 Landscape photography details
Panasonic ZS1 Landscape photography details
47
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
lack of image stabilization
low MP (10 megapixels)
terrible battery (500 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse function
31
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not possible
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW support
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-420 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic ZS1 Vlogging highlights
9
lack of video recording
31
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
lighter than others in class (229g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (640 x 480 pixels)
missing microphone support
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Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic ZS1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-420 and Panasonic ZS1
 Olympus E-420Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus E-420 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1
Also called as - Lumix DMC-TZ6
Category Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2008-06-23 2009-05-14
Physical type Compact SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.5"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 5.744 x 4.308mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 24.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 3 11
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-300mm (12.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing distance - 3cm
Available lenses 45 -
Crop factor 2.1 6.3
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 640x480
Video file format - Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 426 gr (0.94 lbs) 229 gr (0.50 lbs)
Dimensions 130 x 91 x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 not tested
DXO Low light rating 527 not tested
Other
Battery life 500 photographs -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch price $999 $0