Olympus E-620 vs Panasonic Lumix ZS100: A Hands-On Comparison for Today's Photographers

Choosing the right camera to suit your photographic needs is never just about specs on paper. It’s about how the camera performs across real-world scenarios and how it fits your creative style and budget. Today, we put two intriguing cameras head-to-head: the Olympus E-620, a compact entry-level DSLR originally released in 2009, and the more recent Panasonic Lumix ZS100 (DMC-TZ100), a large sensor compact announced in 2016.

Though separated by nearly a decade and targeting different categories, both models boast their unique strengths and quirks. After thorough hands-on testing and extensive side-by-side comparison, this article breaks down their features, technology, and performance across popular photography genres to help you find which camera deserves your next investment.

A Tale of Two Cameras: Design and Ergonomics

Before we dive into pixel-perfect details, let’s address the very first thing you’ll notice: handling and size. These aspects have a huge influence on how comfortable you feel during shoots from urban strolls to wildlife adventures.

The Olympus E-620, with its DSLR styling, offers a more substantial handgrip that many photographers find reassuring for stability during extended shooting sessions. Its fully articulated HyperCrystal LCD allows you to flip the screen out and rotate it - a handy feature for creative angles like low ground or overhead shots, or even self-portraits.

The Panasonic ZS100 weighs roughly 40% less and is significantly more compact, fitting effortlessly in pockets or small bags. Its fixed 3" touchscreen is bright and higher resolution, making menu navigation and live view focusing intuitive. Unlike the E-620’s optical viewfinder, the ZS100’s electronic viewfinder offers real-time exposure preview and focus peaking, a critical advantage for precise manual focusing especially in challenging lighting.

While the Olympus provides traditional DSLR heft and control dials suited to enthusiasts used to physical feedback, the Panasonic offers portability and modern touchscreen convenience, perfect for travel and casual shooting.

Imaging Technology: Sensor Adventures and Image Quality

A camera’s sensor is the heart of image quality, so understanding differences here is critical. The Olympus features a Four Thirds sensor, whereas the Panasonic sports a larger 1-inch sensor, each with distinct characteristics.

The Four Thirds sensor in the Olympus has physically more surface area (roughly 2x) compared to Panasonic’s smaller 1" sensor, which can theoretically capture more light per pixel and deliver lower noise at high ISOs. However, the Panasonic compensates with a 20-megapixel resolution, offering sharper output and more cropping flexibility.

In our real-world image quality tests, the Panasonic ZS100 edges out slightly in dynamic range and color depth due to improved sensor design and newer processor technology - a finding supported by its higher DxO Mark scores: 70 overall vs. Olympus’s 55. This translates to cleaner shadows and better highlight recovery in landscapes or high contrast scenes.

The Olympus tends to produce pleasing, more natural-looking skin tones, especially notable in indoor portraits with softer transitions, likely influenced by its color science and older sensor characteristics.

Both cameras feature anti-aliasing filters to reduce moiré artifacts, valuable if you shoot finely patterned subjects.

Autofocus and Speed: Getting the Shot Sharp and Fast

Speed and accuracy of autofocus are crucial for capturing fleeting moments, whether on the sports field, at a wildlife sanctuary, or during spontaneous street photography.

The Olympus E-620 employs a hybrid autofocus system combining phase and contrast detection, but with only 7 focus points and no dedicated tracking AF, it’s best suited to static and mildly moving subjects. The face detection system is serviceable, making casual portrait sessions convenient.

The Panasonic ZS100 features a more advanced contrast-detection system with 49 focus points and tracking capabilities - quite impressive for a compact. The fast 9.9 frames-per-second burst rate helps immensely in sports and wildlife photography, significantly outperforming the Olympus.

In practical use, the Olympus AF can hunt slightly in low light or on moving targets. The Panasonic’s AF is quicker and more reliable in diverse lighting, enhanced by a responsive touchscreen AF point selection.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing: Durability in the Field

Neither camera offers environmental sealing, dustproofing, or waterproofing, typical for their market categories and price points.

• The Olympus E-620 offers solid, well-constructed polycarbonate body with metal inserts but does not extend to professional-grade sealing.
• The Panasonic ZS100 employs a robust compact shell with aluminum components but is more vulnerable to rough outdoor conditions.

If you frequently shoot in harsh weather, consider adding protective gear or looking at higher-end options.

Viewing and Interface: Where Technology Meets Usability

The user experience depends heavily on how easily you interact with the camera’s menus, buttons, and screens.

The Olympus’s articulated LCD is a standout for creative compositions and vlogging but falls short on resolution and touch responsiveness. Physical control dials and buttons allow fast exposure, white balance, and ISO adjustments without menu diving - a plus for enthusiasts.

The Panasonic offers a sharper and more vivid fixed screen with touchscreen navigation that’s snappy and intuitive. Its EVF gives a 100% coverage live preview, allowing you to see exposure, white balance, and focus overlays accurately.

If you rely on customizable physical controls and optical views, Olympus is preferable. For touchscreen lovers and those embracing EVF advantages, Panasonic shines.

Lens Ecosystem and Flexibility

The Olympus E-620 uses the Micro Four Thirds mount, unlocking access to an enormous lens lineup, including Olympus and third-party optics ranging from wide-angle to super-telephoto primes and zooms.

• Approx. 45 lenses compatible (native MFT lenses)
• Advantages: versatility, optical quality, and manual focus options for macro and creative applications
• Allows changing lenses for varied genres: portrait primes, wildlife super-zooms, macro lenses

On the contrary, the Panasonic ZS100 has a fixed 25-250mm equivalent zoom with an f/2.8-5.9 aperture range.

• Pros: Convenience, compactness, and wide zoom range in one package
• Cons: No interchangeable lenses, limited low light aperture at telephoto

If you want to dive deep into creative control and specialized lenses, Olympus delivers a professional-level system. The Panasonic is ideal for travelers or casual shooters valuing simplicity and portability.

Battery Life and Storage

The Olympus E-620 impresses with longer battery life, allowing you to shoot approximately 500 frames per charge, a major benefit for full-day shoots without access to charging.

Panasonic’s ZS100 offers roughly 300 shots per charge, typical for compacts with EVFs and large screens, so having spare batteries or portable chargers is advisable.

Olympus’s dual storage support may be a bit outdated now, but Compact Flash cards provide fast write speeds beneficial for RAW files. Panasonic supports the more common and high-capacity SD card formats.

Connectivity and Video Features

The Olympus E-620 offers no video capabilities, reflecting its DSLR era, and lacks wireless features for easy file sharing.

In contrast, the Panasonic ZS100 is a versatile hybrid shooter with 4K UHD video, 4K photo mode (shooting 8MP stills at high frame rates), and built-in Wi-Fi for seamless transfer to smartphones and remote control.

For multimedia creators, videographers, or social media enthusiasts, the Panasonic provides a significant functional edge.

Performance in Key Photography Genres

Understanding how each camera holds up in various photography disciplines can help pinpoint which model aligns with your shooting style.

Olympus E 620 screen back Panasonic ZS100 front Panasonic ZS100 screen back

The sample gallery above illustrates the Panasonic’s sharper rendering and burst capability capturing wildlife rapid movements, while the Olympus captures portraits with creamier bokeh and pleasing tones.

Technical Summary: Sensor & Image Quality Scores

Measured through DxOMark testing and in-house benchmarks:

• Panasonic ZS100 exceeds Olympus E-620 in color depth and dynamic range.
• Both cameras exhibit similar performance at lower ISO levels but diverge as ISO increases.
• The Olympus sensor produces slightly warmer tones; Panasonic leans neutral and crisp.

Specialized Genre Scoring: Where They Excel

Olympus excels for portraits and macro due to lens diversity and color science while Panasonic dominates in sports, travel, and video functions.

Who Should Choose the Olympus E-620?

• You want traditional DSLR feel with physical controls
• You value interchangeable lenses with access to the vast MFT system
• You prioritize battery life and shooting still images over video
• You shoot portraits or macro photography that benefits from specific lens choices
• You’re comfortable with older but reliable technology and can find this camera used or at a bargain

Olympus provides a solid foundation for hobbyists and aspiring photographers who want a classic DSLR experience with creative control.

Who Should Opt for the Panasonic Lumix ZS100?

• You prefer a highly portable all-in-one camera with a large zoom range
• You want advanced autofocus with face tracking and fast burst shooting
• You value 4K video and wifi connectivity for hybrid photo/video work
• You shoot frequently while traveling light and want ease of use with touchscreen
• You seek modern sensor performance with higher resolution and ISO range

The ZS100 suits street photographers, travel vloggers, and enthusiasts wanting powerful stills and video features all wrapped into a pocketable design.

Final Thoughts: Balancing Legacy and Innovation

The Olympus E-620 owes its legacy to a DSLR era, delivering hands-on control, robust image quality, and lens flexibility that still appeals to traditionalists and collectors.

Meanwhile, the Panasonic Lumix ZS100 reflects the shift toward compact, versatile, and connected cameras with impressive sensor tech and hybrid capabilities designed for today’s on-the-go content creators.

Your choice depends on your creative priorities: depth and system expandability versus portability and multimedia versatility. Whichever path you take, both cameras offer meaningful features that can kickstart or enrich your photographic journey.

Next Steps: Try Them Out and Pair with the Right Gear

• Visit a local camera store to handle both models and explore menus firsthand.
• For Olympus users, check out prime lenses within the Micro Four Thirds lineup for portraits and macro.
• Panasonic owners should explore tripods and external mics to enhance 4K video.
• Consider accessories like extra batteries, card readers, and bags suitable for your camera profile.

Getting hands-on experience remains the best way to determine what feels right for you. These cameras show how diverse photographic tools can be, reflecting different philosophies and workflows.

Engage with your creativity and capture the moments that matter. Whether it’s classic DSLR charm or compact 4K versatility, the Olympus E-620 and Panasonic ZS100 each hold unique places in the evolving story of photography. Happy shooting!