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Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic ZS100

Portability
77
Imaging
44
Features
36
Overall
40
Olympus E-420 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100 front
Portability
87
Imaging
52
Features
65
Overall
57

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic ZS100 Key Specs

Olympus E-420
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 426g - 130 x 91 x 53mm
  • Launched June 2008
  • Older Model is Olympus E-410
Panasonic ZS100
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-250mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 312g - 111 x 65 x 44mm
  • Launched January 2016
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ100
  • New Model is Panasonic ZS200
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Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic ZS100 Overview

In this article, we are evaluating the Olympus E-420 and Panasonic ZS100, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Large Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. There is a considerable difference among the image resolutions of the E-420 (10MP) and ZS100 (20MP) and the E-420 (Four Thirds) and ZS100 (1") use different sensor sizing.

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The E-420 was announced 8 years before the ZS100 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-420 being a Compact SLR camera and the Panasonic ZS100 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before delving through a thorough comparison, below is a short overview of how the E-420 scores versus the ZS100 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-420 over the Panasonic ZS100

 E-420 ZS100 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS100 over the Olympus E-420

 ZS100 E-420 
LaunchedJanuary 2016June 2008More recent by 91 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1040k230kClearer display (+810k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-420 and Panasonic ZS100

 E-420 ZS100 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic ZS100 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to lug around your camera, you will need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-420 provides external measurements of 130mm x 91mm x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") along with a weight of 426 grams (0.94 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS100 has dimensions of 111mm x 65mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7") and a weight of 312 grams (0.69 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-420 and Panasonic ZS100 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are using during that time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the E-420 versus the ZS100.

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic ZS100 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the E-420 and ZS100 is 77 and 87 respectively.

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic ZS100 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic ZS100 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be tough to picture the contrast in sensor measurements simply by researching specs. The visual underneath will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-420 and ZS100.

All in all, both cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The E-420 with its larger sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Panasonic ZS100 will render more detail with its extra 10 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics far more aggressively. The older E-420 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic ZS100 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic ZS100 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic ZS100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-420 Portrait photography features
Panasonic ZS100 Portrait photography features
56
you can focus manually
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
low megapixels (10MP)
64
you can focus manually
MP count good (20MP)
sensor size is decent (1")
comes with face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
external flash not possible
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-420
Street photography with Panasonic ZS100
64
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
lighter than others in class (426 grams)
no moving screen
no image stabilization
78
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is decent (1")
saves RAW formats
offers touch focus
lighter than competition (312 grams)
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-420 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS100 as a Sports photography camera
38
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (4.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
low megapixels (10MP)
not so great battery pack (500 shots)
67
quiet shooting (1/16,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (1")
comes with tracking autofocus
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-420
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS100
52
lighter than others in class (426 grams)
flash built-in
missing Timelapse recording
not so great battery pack (500 per charge)
low megapixels (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
75
lighter than competition (312g)
offers touch focus
MP count good (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-420 Landscape photography info
Panasonic ZS100 Landscape photography info
47
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
small screen (2.7")
no image stabilization
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (500 shots)
missing Timelapse recording
68
you can focus manually
fairly wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20MP)
sensor size is decent (1")
saves RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-420 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS100 as a Vlogging camera
9
no video
35
fairly wide (25mm)
touch screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focusing
great video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
lighter than competition (312 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
missing external mic socket
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Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic ZS100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-420 and Panasonic ZS100
 Olympus E-420Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus E-420 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ100
Class Entry-Level DSLR Large Sensor Compact
Launched 2008-06-23 2016-01-05
Physical type Compact SLR Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic III Venus Engine
Sensor type CMOS MOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 1600 12800
Highest boosted ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW format
Min boosted ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 3 49
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-250mm (10.0x)
Max aperture - f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Number of lenses 45 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.7
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230k dots 1,040k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,166k dots
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x 0.46x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Maximum quiet shutter speed - 1/16000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames per sec 9.9 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 8.00 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 4K/UHD (3840 x 2160 @ 30p/24p), 1920 x 1080 @ 60p/60i/30p/24p, 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution None 3840x2160
Video file format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 426 gr (0.94 pounds) 312 gr (0.69 pounds)
Dimensions 130 x 91 x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") 111 x 65 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 56 70
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 22.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 12.5
DXO Low light rating 527 559
Other
Battery life 500 pictures 300 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs, 3 shots @ 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots One One
Retail cost $999 $700