Olympus E-5 vs Zeiss ZX1: A Thorough Comparison for the Discerning Photographer

When it comes to selecting a camera that seamlessly blends the art and craft of photography, few choices are as intriguing as comparing a classic advanced DSLR from Olympus with the innovative large sensor compact from Zeiss. The Olympus E-5, a 2011 mid-size DSLR heralded for its rugged build and solid imaging abilities, meets the Zeiss ZX1, a 2018 large sensor compact that shakes up the traditional camera lineup with its integrated editing workflow and full-frame sensor.

I’ve spent ample hands-on time testing each camera across various photography disciplines to give you a grounded, detailed comparison - the kind that helps you decide which is a better fit for your style, budget, and workflow. Let’s dive in and explore their technical prowess, ergonomics, performance in different genres, and more.

First Impressions: Body, Design, and Ergonomics

One of the first things that strikes you when holding these two cameras side-by-side is the clear difference in physicality and design ethos.

The Olympus E-5 (143mm x 117mm x 75mm, 800g) feels like a classic DSLR - robust, with a traditional DSLR grip and a pentaprism optical viewfinder. The magnesium alloy body includes environmental sealing, making it ready for rugged use in less-than-ideal weather. Its mid-size SLR form factor conveys confidence and durability, with an impressive battery life rating of 870 shots per charge - something you’ll definitely appreciate during extended shoots in the field.

On the other hand, the Zeiss ZX1 is sleeker and significantly more compact (142mm x 93mm x 46mm, also 800g). It’s designed for portability without sacrificing sensor size, sporting a full-frame CMOS sensor - impressive in a camera of this footprint. The all-black minimalist design with a minimal footprint focuses on streamlined operation, with fully articulated 4.34-inch touchscreen LCD that offers impressive resolution and ease of use.

Ergonomically, I found the E-5’s physical dials and buttons superior for tactile control, especially in demanding environments where you want fast, direct adjustments without looking away from the viewfinder. The ZX1 relies heavily on touchscreen interface and lacks mechanical dials, which some photographers will appreciate for its modern approach while others might find less intuitive.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Size and Resolution

The sensor is the heart of any camera and here lies the major technical gulf between these two.

The Olympus E-5 houses a Four Thirds CMOS sensor measuring 17.3 x 13mm, with a resolution of 12 megapixels. Although modest by today’s standards, the sensor excels in delivering punchy color depth (21.6 bits per DxOMark) and a dynamic range of 10.5 EVs. Importantly, Olympus pioneered the sensor-based image stabilization that greatly helps in lowering shutter speeds without blur.

Contrastingly, the Zeiss ZX1 boasts a whopping 37MP full-frame CMOS sensor (36 x 24mm). The sensor size alone (864 mm² vs 225 mm²) gives it a distinct advantage in light gathering and depth of field control. Although DxOMark hasn’t tested the ZX1 formally, its native ISO range up to 51200 and a maximum resolution of 7488 x 4992 pixels firmly place it as a high-resolution image quality contender.

If you compare their sensor areas, the difference is simply massive. The full-frame advantage means the ZX1 will excel in low-light settings and offer shallower depth of field - something portrait and wedding photographers will value greatly.

Also, note the aspect ratio difference: the Olympus uses the classic Four Thirds 4:3, while the ZX1 opts for 3:2, the standard aspect ratio preferred for most full-frame photography. This influences composition choices substantially.

Viewing Experience: Optical vs Electronic Viewfinders and Screen Quality

When reviewing cameras, I pay close attention to the viewing system, as it impacts usability and shooting enjoyment.

The Olympus E-5 features a traditional pentaprism optical viewfinder with 100% coverage and 0.58x magnification. While not offering electronic overlays or previewing exposure effects, it provides a real-world, lag-free view with excellent clarity in daylight. The 3-inch fully articulating LCD (920k dots) is perfect for live view or video but can feel a bit limited by today’s standards.

In contrast, the Zeiss ZX1 is equipped with a high-res electronic viewfinder (EVF) offering 6221k dots and 100% coverage. What’s impressive here is the clarity and the amount of information you can display - exposure warnings, histograms, zebra stripes for highlights - all helping in precise exposure control. The 4.34 inch fully articulated touchscreen LCD with 2765k dots is a joy to navigate and much more responsive than the E-5’s.

The ZX1’s touchscreen approach enhances menu navigation and focus selection, albeit with some learning to adapt for those accustomed to physical buttons. The E-5’s top LCD display offers quick access to vital shooting info - a feature the ZX1 lacks but compensates with its richer digital overlays.

Autofocus Systems: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking Ability

Autofocus performance can make or break your experience, especially in wildlife, sports, or fast-moving street photography.

The Olympus E-5 utilizes a hybrid AF system combining contrast and phase detection via its 11-point AF array, all cross-type sensors. While reliable for static or moderately moving subjects, the system shows its age by not supporting advanced tracking or animal eye detection.

I found the E-5’s face detection effective for portraits, but continuous AF tracking was limited compared to modern standards. It can struggle in low light or high-speed burst sequences, where focus lag becomes noticeable.

Meanwhile, the Zeiss ZX1 boasts 255 AF points with touch-to-select autofocus using contrast detection exclusively (no phase detection). Despite this, the ZX1 offers eye detection AF and continuous AF tracking - features modern mirrorless cameras boast. This helps maintain sharp focus on faces or subjects in motion despite the lack of phase detection, evidencing Zeiss’s good optimization of the focusing algorithm.

Though the ZX1 autofocus is slower in darker conditions compared to phase detection systems, it’s surprisingly accurate and user-friendly in daylight street or travel shooting scenarios.

Image Stabilization: How Steady Can You Shoot?

In-camera stabilization is a lifesaver for handheld shooting, especially in low light or macro photography.

The E-5 includes sensor-shift image stabilization, which compensates for camera shake across all compatible lenses on its Four Thirds mount. This was a flagship feature for Olympus cameras of the era, allowing for sharper images at slower shutter speeds and providing flexibility on long telephoto or macro shots.

Unfortunately, the Zeiss ZX1 lacks any form of image stabilization, relying solely on faster shutter speeds or stabilized lenses to prevent blur.

If you frequently shoot handheld in challenging light or at long focal lengths, the E-5’s stabilization is a significant advantage.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

A camera body has no value without a strong lens lineup, so here’s where the story gets interesting.

The Olympus E-5 uses the Micro Four Thirds mount system, which boasts more than 45 native lenses at launch and now hundreds more from multiple manufacturers including Olympus, Panasonic, Sigma, and Tamron. This well-established ecosystem covers everything: super-wide angle, macro, fast primes, pro telephotos, and specialized options. The focal length multiplier of 2.1x means a 12mm lens acts like a 25mm full-frame equivalent - something to consider for your desired field of view.

The Zeiss ZX1 features a fixed 35mm f/2 wide-angle lens - a classic focal length for street, documentary, travel, and environmental portraits. While you lose zoom versatility, this fixed prime benefits from Zeiss’s legendary optical quality and excellent sharpness. However, for those who want to switch focal lengths or shoot telephoto wildlife, the ZX1’s single-lens limitation is a dealbreaker.

In essence, the Olympus is a system camera with flexibility, while the ZX1 targets photographers who cherish simplicity, optical excellence, and an integrated workflow.

Performance in Different Photography Disciplines

I’ve tested both cameras under various photographic scenarios to give you a sense of real-world performance.

Portrait Photography

Portrait shooters will appreciate the ZX1’s full-frame sensor and high resolution combined with its fast f/2 lens for shallow depth of field and creamy bokeh. Eye detection AF aids capturing tack-sharp eyes - a must-have nowadays. Skin tones rendered by the Zeiss sensor and built-in Adobe Lightroom editing options yield pleasing, natural results straight out of camera.

The Olympus E-5, despite a smaller sensor, handles skin tones well but cannot replicate the same level of background separation. Its in-body stabilization helps in lower light but the older AF system occasionally hunts, making it less ideal for fast or spontaneous portraits.

Landscape Photography

Dynamic range and resolution are king here. The Zeiss ZX1’s 37MP full-frame sensor delivers exquisite details and tonal gradation, exploiting its inherent wide DR advantage.

Olympus’s 12MP sensor with 10.5 stops dynamic range is solid, but falls short of the ZX1 in resolving fine texture and shadow detail. That said, the E-5’s weather sealing makes it a more rugged choice in harsh environments.

Wildlife Photography

For wildlife photography, autofocus speed, burst rate, and telephoto lens options are crucial.

The Olympus E-5 offers a faster burst shooting speed at 5 fps and supports extensive telephoto lenses, leveraging its 2.1x crop factor effectively. Its phase detection AF aids in tracking subjects, but AF tracking capability is limited.

The ZX1’s 3 fps burst and 35mm fixed lens make it less suited for distant wildlife. Its contrast-detection AF is accurate but slower for tracking erratic subjects.

Sports Photography

Sports demand lightning-fast AF and high frame rates. Olympus’s 5 fps continuous shooting and phase-detection AF offer better capabilities here, although it won’t match modern sports-oriented mirrorless cameras.

ZX1’s slower 3 fps and fixed lens limit its utility for most sports shooting.

Street Photography

Here, size and discreteness count heavily.

The ZX1’s compact profile, silent operation (no mirror slap), and excellent low-light ISO performance make it a compelling street camera. Touchscreen focus selection and some direct controls facilitate quick reaction.

While the Olympus is less discreet and bulkier, its tactile controls and optical viewfinder provide solid feedback in bright daylight.

Macro Photography

The Olympus system’s lens flexibility allows superb macro options with dedicated optics and stabilization.

ZX1 has no macro lens and lacks stabilization, so it’s not a strong macro contender by any means.

Night / Astro Photography

The ZX1’s ISO range and full-frame sensor advantage make it superior in astrophotography and night shots, capturing cleaner files at higher ISOs.

E-5 can manage night scenes decently but noise rises quickly beyond ISO 800.

Video Capabilities

Olympus records 720p HD video at 30fps in Motion JPEG format - solid but low resolution nowadays.

ZX1 offers UHD 4K video (3840 x 2160@30fps) in H.264, alongside integrated editing and sharing. However, it lacks microphone and headphone ports, limiting pro-audio capture.

Travel Photography

Weight parity aside, the ZX1’s compactness, powerful image quality, and streamlined post-capture editing appeal to travelers who value speed and portability.

Olympus’s environmental sealing and battery life make it ideal for adventure travel in challenging conditions.

Professional Workflows

E-5 supports dual storage cards (CF and SD) offering backup security, while ZX1 uses a hefty 512GB internal storage, which is limiting but simplifies file management.

E-5’s USB 2.0 is dated against ZX1’s USB 3.1, facilitating faster transfers. Both cameras offer raw capture essential for professional work.

Olympus E 5 front Olympus E 5 screen back Zeiss ZX1 front Zeiss ZX1 screen back

Build Quality and Environmental Resistance

The Olympus E-5’s weather sealing is a standout feature not matched by the ZX1; it’s designed to resist dust and splashes - vital for outdoor photographers in unpredictable conditions.

The Zeiss ZX1’s stylish yet plastic-heavy body lacks dust or moisture sealing entirely. While attractive for urban or controlled environments, it’s less reliable for harsh conditions.

Connectivity and Storage Options

Connectivity has progressed rapidly since the E-5’s 2011 launch.

The E-5 offers no wireless options - standard for its time - relying on USB 2.0 and card readers for data transfer.

The ZX1 counters with built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB 3.1 Gen 1, designed for seamless connection to smartphones and cloud services.

However, the ZX1’s internal 512GB storage limits flexibility; cards for backup or offloading photos in the field would have been preferable.

Battery Life and Usability Over Time

In my testing, Olympus’s BLM-5 battery powering the E-5 gives you approximately 870 shots per charge, excellent for day-long shoots.

The ZX1’s battery life isn’t officially specified, but anecdotal evidence suggests a shorter endurance, particularly when utilizing the high-res EVF and Wi-Fi. You’ll likely need spares or power banks for extended sessions.

Pricing and Value Assessment

At launch, Olympus E-5 retailed around $1700 for the body. The Zeiss ZX1, being a niche camera with full-frame sensor and integrated editing, was priced significantly higher (~$6,000 new).

For budget-conscious buyers, the Olympus’s used market offerings provide substantial value, delivering excellent handling, image stabilization, and a vast lens system.

Conversely, budget-permitting photographers seeking ultimate image quality with a compact form and integrated Lightroom workflow might find the ZX1 compelling despite its quirks.

Which Camera Suits Your Photography Style?

Here’s a straightforward breakdown illustrating where each camera shines:

• Choose Olympus E-5 if you prioritize:

  • Rugged build and weather sealing for outdoor/adventure
  • Extensive lens options for various focal lengths
  • Faster burst rates and phase detection AF for sports and wildlife
  • Image stabilization for handheld shooting
  • Longer battery life and dual storage cards

• Choose Zeiss ZX1 if you prioritize:

  • Image quality at a high resolution from a full-frame sensor
  • Compact, minimalist design for street and travel photography
  • Integrated touchscreen editing for faster post-processing
  • Eye detection AF and high-resolution EVF
  • 4K video capabilities for casual cinematic work

In Closing: Personal Takeaways After Testing Both Cameras

Having thoroughly tested both, I have a genuine appreciation for these very different approaches.

The Olympus E-5 is an old-school, no-nonsense DSLR, perfect for enthusiasts who value durability, versatile lenses, and proven technology. It’s a reliable companion for workhorses like wildlife and landscape photographers who need a camera that can handle a bit of dirt and moisture without complaint.

The Zeiss ZX1 is a brave attempt to merge camera and editing software in one body - designed for photographers who want to simplify their workflow while not compromising on image quality. It’s incredibly well-suited for street shooters and travelers who want ultimate control without lugging around bags of lenses, provided they can live with the fixed focal length.

In the end, the choice comes down to what you need the camera to deliver day-to-day. Both models have loyal followings, justified by their strengths and idiosyncrasies.

Whether you lean toward classic system versatility or modern integrated design - I hope this detailed comparison has equipped you with the insights to make an informed, practical choice. Feel free to reach out if you want my hands-on sample RAW files or video walkthroughs.

Happy shooting!