Olympus E-510 vs Panasonic XS1
69 Imaging
44 Features
42 Overall
43


97 Imaging
39 Features
26 Overall
33
Olympus E-510 vs Panasonic XS1 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 1600
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 490g - 136 x 92 x 68mm
- Launched November 2007
- Additionally referred to as EVOLT E-510
- Previous Model is Olympus E-500
- New Model is Olympus E-520
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 24-120mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
- 103g - 94 x 54 x 14mm
- Launched January 2013

Olympus E-510 vs Panasonic XS1 Overview
Following is a extensive review of the Olympus E-510 and Panasonic XS1, one is a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a huge gap between the image resolutions of the E-510 (10MP) and XS1 (16MP) and the E-510 (Four Thirds) and XS1 (1/2.3") provide different sensor sizes.

The E-510 was launched 6 years prior to the XS1 which is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-510 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Panasonic XS1 being a Compact camera.
Before delving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a concise view of how the E-510 scores against the XS1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Olympus E-510 vs Panasonic XS1 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus E-510 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1. The complete galleries are available at Olympus E-510 Gallery and Panasonic XS1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-510 over the Panasonic XS1
E-510 | XS1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More precise focusing |
Reasons to pick Panasonic XS1 over the Olympus E-510
XS1 | E-510 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | January 2013 | ![]() | November 2007 | More modern by 62 months |
Screen dimensions | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Common features in the Olympus E-510 and Panasonic XS1
E-510 | XS1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Lacking Touch friendly screen |
Olympus E-510 vs Panasonic XS1 Physical Comparison
If you are going to carry around your camera, you should think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-510 has outside measurements of 136mm x 92mm x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") accompanied by a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs) while the Panasonic XS1 has measurements of 94mm x 54mm x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6") accompanied by a weight of 103 grams (0.23 lbs).
Compare the Olympus E-510 and Panasonic XS1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you select at that time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-510 vs the XS1.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-510 and XS1 is 69 and 97 respectively.

Olympus E-510 vs Panasonic XS1 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it's tough to imagine the contrast between sensor sizes just by checking specs. The image underneath will give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the E-510 and XS1.
All in all, the two cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The E-510 because of its bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF less difficult and the Panasonic XS1 will give more detail utilizing its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more aged E-510 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-510 vs Panasonic XS1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-510 vs Panasonic XS1 Specifications
Olympus E-510 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model | Olympus E-510 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1 |
Also called as | EVOLT E-510 | - |
Type | Advanced DSLR | Small Sensor Compact |
Launched | 2007-11-23 | 2013-01-07 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10MP | 16MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | - |
Maximum resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4608 x 3456 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 3 | - |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | - | 24-120mm (5.0x) |
Max aperture | - | f/2.8-6.9 |
Macro focus range | - | 5cm |
Number of lenses | 45 | - |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 2.5" | 2.7" |
Display resolution | 230k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display tech | - | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) | None |
Viewfinder coverage | 95 percent | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.46x | - |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 60 secs | 60 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 3.0fps | 1.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 4.40 m |
Flash modes | Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/180 secs | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | - | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | None | 1280x720 |
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 proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 490g (1.08 lb) | 103g (0.23 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") | 94 x 54 x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 52 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | 21.2 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | 10.0 | not tested |
DXO Low light score | 442 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 260 photographs |
Form of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Cost at launch | $550 | $130 |