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Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic ZS1

Portability
68
Imaging
45
Features
45
Overall
45
Olympus E-520 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
25
Overall
29

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic ZS1 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
  • Introduced August 2008
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-510
Panasonic ZS1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Launched May 2009
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ6
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Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic ZS1 Overview

Let's take a closer look at the Olympus E-520 and Panasonic ZS1, one being a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-520 (10MP) and the ZS1 (10MP) is relatively well matched but the E-520 (Four Thirds) and ZS1 (1/2.5") boast different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The E-520 was unveiled 8 months prior to the ZS1 so they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-520 being a Compact SLR camera and the Panasonic ZS1 being a Compact camera.

Before delving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the E-520 matches up vs the ZS1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-520 over the Panasonic ZS1

 E-520 ZS1 
Focus manually Very exact focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS1 over the Olympus E-520

 ZS1 E-520 
LaunchedMay 2009August 2008Fresher by 8 months

Common features in the Olympus E-520 and Panasonic ZS1

 E-520 ZS1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal screen size
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic ZS1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry your camera frequently, you should factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-520 enjoys outer dimensions of 136mm x 92mm x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") having a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS1 has dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

See the Olympus E-520 and Panasonic ZS1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are employing during that time. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the E-520 compared to the ZS1.

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic ZS1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-520 and ZS1 is 68 and 91 respectively.

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic ZS1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic ZS1 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its tough to picture the gap between sensor sizing only by reading through specifications. The visual here should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the E-520 and ZS1.

Plainly, both of those cameras have the same megapixels albeit different sensor sizing. The E-520 has the bigger sensor which will make obtaining shallower DOF easier. The older E-520 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic ZS1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic ZS1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic ZS1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-520 Portrait photography details
Panasonic ZS1 Portrait photography details
59
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
25
supports face detection focus
lack of manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.5")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-520 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS1 as a Street photography camera
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
no moving screen
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (229g)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.5")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-520
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS1
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
great battery life (650 per charge)
has phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.5")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-520 Travel photography information
Panasonic ZS1 Travel photography information
52
great battery life (650 shots)
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
63
lighter than competition (229g)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
long reach (300mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-520
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS1
58
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
great battery life (650 shots)
small screen (2.7 inches)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
does not have Time Lapse mode
31
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
no manual control
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.5")
no RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-520
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS1
9
lack of video recording
31
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
lighter than competition (229g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
video resolution low (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have external mic jack
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Olympus E-520 vs Panasonic ZS1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-520 and Panasonic ZS1
 Olympus E-520Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus E-520 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1
Alternate name - Lumix DMC-TZ6
Category Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2008-08-20 2009-05-14
Body design Compact SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.5"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 5.744 x 4.308mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 24.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 3 11
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-300mm (12.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing distance - 3cm
Number of lenses 45 -
Crop factor 2.1 6.3
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 4.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 640x480
Video file format - Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 552 grams (1.22 lb) 229 grams (0.50 lb)
Physical dimensions 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 photographs -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $400 $0