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Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic ZR1

Portability
68
Imaging
45
Features
45
Overall
45
Olympus E-520 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic ZR1 Key Specs

Olympus E-520
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 552g - 136 x 92 x 68mm
  • Released August 2008
  • Superseded the Olympus E-510
Panasonic ZR1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 158g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Revealed July 2009
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-ZX1
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Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic ZR1 Overview

Below, we will be analyzing the Olympus E-520 versus Panasonic ZR1, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-520 (10MP) and the ZR1 (12MP) is relatively close but the E-520 (Four Thirds) and ZR1 (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor sizing.

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The E-520 was announced 11 months prior to the ZR1 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-520 being a Compact SLR camera and the Panasonic ZR1 being a Compact camera.

Before going through a more detailed comparison, below is a brief view of how the E-520 scores vs the ZR1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-520 over the Panasonic ZR1

 E-520 ZR1 
Focus manually Dial exact focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR1 over the Olympus E-520

 ZR1 E-520 
RevealedJuly 2009August 2008Fresher by 11 months

Common features in the Olympus E-520 and Panasonic ZR1

 E-520 ZR1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension2.7"2.7"Identical screen measurement
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic ZR1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry your camera often, you're going to have to consider its weight and size. The Olympus E-520 enjoys outside measurements of 136mm x 92mm x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") accompanied by a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs) and the Panasonic ZR1 has specifications of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-520 versus Panasonic ZR1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you select during that time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the E-520 compared to the ZR1.

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic ZR1 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-520 and ZR1 is 68 and 94 respectively.

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic ZR1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic ZR1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's tough to envision the gap in sensor sizing only by looking through technical specs. The visual below should give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the E-520 and ZR1.

As you have seen, both cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-520 with its bigger sensor will make getting shallower DOF easier and the Panasonic ZR1 will result in greater detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop shots much more aggressively. The older E-520 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic ZR1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic ZR1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic ZR1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-520
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZR1
59
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focus
saves RAW formats
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
21
manual focus not available
no manual mode
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-520 Street photography info
Panasonic ZR1 Street photography info
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
screen does not articulate
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-520 Sports photography advice
Panasonic ZR1 Sports photography advice
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
great battery (650 CIPA)
has phase detect auto focus
low fps (4.0 frames per second)
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-520 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZR1 as a Travel photography camera
52
great battery (650 per charge)
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse recording
low resolution sensor (10MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
57
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-520 Landscape photography info
Panasonic ZR1 Landscape photography info
58
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
great battery (650 shots)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse recording
32
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-520 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic ZR1 Vlogging highlights
9
lack of video recording
28
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic support
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Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic ZR1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-520 and Panasonic ZR1
 Olympus E-520Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus E-520 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
Also called - Lumix DMC-ZX1
Type Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Released 2008-08-20 2009-07-27
Physical type Compact SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Venus Engine V
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 3 11
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-200mm (8.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing range - 3cm
Total lenses 45 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 5.10 m
Flash options Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180 seconds -
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), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1280x720
Video format - Motion JPEG
Mic 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 552g (1.22 lbs) 158g (0.35 lbs)
Dimensions 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 55 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 not tested
DXO Low light rating 548 not tested
Other
Battery life 650 photos -
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 card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $400 $280