Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic Lumix ZS100: An Expert Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

When choosing a camera, photographers often face a dizzying array of options stretching across sensor sizes, lens systems, ergonomics, and features. Two cameras from different design philosophies and eras - the Olympus PEN E-P1 and the Panasonic Lumix ZS100 - offer distinct experiences aimed at advanced amateurs and enthusiasts who desire strong image quality without a full DSLR bulk. I’ve spent years testing cameras in real-world settings, running controlled lab evaluations, and comparing performance across genres. In this article, I dive into the nuts and bolts of these two models to help you understand which camera better fits your style, needs, and budget.

Both cameras pack serious punch for photographers on the go but target different priorities: the Olympus E-P1 is a pioneering mirrorless camera focusing on flexibility and classic rangefinder aesthetics, while the Panasonic ZS100 serves as a compact powerhouse with an impressive integrated zoom lens. Let’s unpack how they compare on every key front.

First Impressions: Design, Build, and Handling

Size Matters: Portability vs Presence

The Olympus E-P1 has a rangefinder-style mirrorless design - with a boxy, minimalistic body that looks timeless and retro-modern. It’s slim (121 x 70 x 36 mm) and weighs roughly 355g. The body’s compactness appeals to those who appreciate classic camera designs, especially with the Micro Four Thirds system’s range of lenses enabling creative choice without swinging heavy glass.

Meanwhile, the Panasonic ZS100 is a large sensor compact camera with dimensions slightly smaller (111 x 65 x 44 mm) and a lighter weight (312g), mainly due to its fixed lens design. Its integrated zoom lens (25-250mm equivalent) lets you cover a broad focal range without changing lenses, a huge plus for travel and street photographers craving convenience.

Ergonomics: The E-P1, though small, feels solid and has a thoughtfully placed control setup but lacks an electronic viewfinder (EVF), which affects shooting convenience under bright light. The ZS100 features a built-in EVF with good resolution (1166 dots) and 100% coverage - hugely beneficial for precise composition and eye-level shooting in sunlight.

In my hands, the ZS100’s grip offers more secure handling for long zoom reach. The E-P1 opts for simplicity, missing physical dials for ISO or exposure compensation but providing access through buttons and menus. The ZS100 benefits from touchscreen interaction, which the E-P1 lacks.

Build Quality: Neither camera is weather sealed - a crucial consideration for landscape or wildlife shooters venturing outdoors. Both are sturdy enough for everyday handling but treat either model carefully in harsh conditions.

Image Quality & Sensor Insights: The Heart of the Matter

One of the main differences lies in sensor technology and size:

• Olympus E-P1: Four Thirds CMOS sensor, 12MP, sensor size 17.3 x 13 mm (224.9 mm² area)
• Panasonic ZS100: Larger 1-inch MOS sensor, 20MP, 13.2 x 8.8 mm (116.16 mm² area)

Though the E-P1 sensor is physically larger in area, the ZS100 crams more pixels, pushing to 20MP. Interestingly, the E-P1’s Four Thirds sensor is traditionally designed with deeper pixels aiding color depth, while the ZS100’s high megapixel count benefits resolution and cropping potential.

On DxO Mark tests, the ZS100 scores 70 overall compared to E-P1’s 55 - reflecting better dynamic range (12.5 vs 10.4), color depth (22.8 vs 21.4 bits), and low-light ISO performance (559 vs 536). This means the Panasonic edges out in technical image quality and high ISO usability.

In my real-world trials, the E-P1 delivers pleasing colors with classic Olympus Micro Four Thirds sharpness and decent dynamic range for shadows and highlights. However, in dim lighting, the ZS100 produced cleaner images with less noise at higher ISOs - a key advantage when shooting handheld or indoors.

Focusing Systems and Speed: Capturing the Perfect Moment

The Olympus E-P1 employs a contrast-detection autofocus system with 11 focus points and face detection capabilities but no phase detection or eye/animal AF. It supports single, continuous autofocus, and selective point AF.

The Panasonic ZS100’s autofocus performance is more advanced, featuring contrast-detection AF with 49 points, face detection, touch-focus, and continuous tracking. It also includes post-focus capabilities, allowing you to shift focus points after shooting - a feature the E-P1 lacks.

During sports and wildlife shooting simulations, the ZS100’s faster burst rate of 9.9 fps easily trumps the E-P1’s 3 fps. The ZS100’s AF tracking is noticeably snappier and more reliable in continuous modes, which makes a practical difference when capturing unpredictable action.

In portraits, both cameras detect faces well, but eye detection support is absent on both, meaning manual fine-tuning of focus is necessary - something to consider if selective sharpness on eyes is critical for your work.

User Interface, Display, and Controls: Ease of Use in the Field

For framing and reviewing shots, both have 3-inch fixed LCD screens but differ considerably:

• E-P1 display: 230k dots, HyperCrystal LCD with anti-reflective coating.
• ZS100 display: 1040k dots, touchscreen.

The ZS100’s higher resolution screen makes reviewing fine details easier, and touchscreen support streamlines menu navigation and focusing, which I found especially handy for street and travel photography.

Neither camera has a top LCD screen or illuminated buttons, but the ZS100 integrates a viewfinder - a significant usability advantage in bright light and for extended shooting sessions.

Lens Systems and Versatility: Adaptability vs Convenience

Olympus E-P1: Micro Four Thirds Interchangeable Lens System

The Micro Four Thirds mount offers tremendous flexibility, with over 100 lenses available - from affordable primes to professional zooms. This is where the E-P1 truly shines for photographers who want to control every aspect of their image-making:

• Wide landscapes using ultra-wide lenses
• Portraits with fast, large aperture primes delivering beautiful bokeh
• Macro lenses for close-up work
• Telephoto zooms for wildlife and sports

Though not weather sealed, you can rig weather protection through lenses or external covers. I personally found that pairing the E-P1 with a 45mm f/1.8 lens yields excellent portraits with creamy backgrounds and natural skin tones.

Panasonic ZS100: Integrated 25-250mm Equivalent Zoom

The ZS100’s built-in lens is versatile enough for most scenarios you’ll encounter daily:

• Wide-angle for landscapes and street scenes
• Telephoto reach for candid portraits and casual wildlife
• Macro mode focusing down to 5cm

The lens aperture varies from f/2.8 wide to f/5.9 telephoto, which is less suited for low light at zoom extremes. Still, it’s an all-in-one solution that suits travelers and casual shooters who don’t want to fuss with lenses.

Performance Across Photography Genres

To offer actionable insights, here’s how these cameras fare across popular photography disciplines based on my hands-on experience:

Olympus E P1 front Olympus E P1 screen back Panasonic ZS100 front Panasonic ZS100 screen back

From my sample gallery, both cameras deliver sharp files with natural colors, but ZS100 files reveal finer detail and better shadow recovery in challenging light. The E-P1 excels with creative depth of field control thanks to interchangeable lenses.

Video Capabilities: Moving Pictures Matter

The E-P1’s video maxes out at 720p HD at 30fps with Motion JPEG codec - adequate for casual clips but falls short by modern standards in terms of resolution and codec efficiency.

The ZS100 offers solid video, including 4K UHD at 30fps and multiple frame-rate 1080p options. It also supports 4K photo modes allowing you to extract stills at high resolution from video clips, a valuable feature for event or wildlife shooters.

Neither camera includes microphone or headphone ports, so audio capture can be limiting - something to consider if you plan serious video work.

Battery, Storage, and Connectivity: Staying Powered and Connected

Both cameras use proprietary battery packs with roughly 300 shots per charge, modest but manageable with spare batteries. The ZS100 uses the same capacity battery but emphasizes power management more efficiently thanks to newer processor technology.

For storage, single SD/SDHC slot serves both models, with UHS-I support on the ZS100 speeding write times.

Connectivity leans heavily in the ZS100’s favor, boasting built-in Wi-Fi for remote shooting and image transfer - absent on the E-P1, which offers no wireless capabilities.

Price and Value: What Does Your Investment Get?

Retail prices differ considerably: the Olympus E-P1 typically retails around $180 - appealing as a budget-friendly entry into mirrorless with lens ecosystem potential. The Panasonic ZS100 commands a premium near $700, reflecting advanced sensor capabilities, zoom flexibility, and 4K video support.

Looking at overall performance scores, the ZS100 outpaces the E-P1 by a wide margin, offering more modern features and superior image quality. But if cost and lens system adaptability are key, the E-P1 represents a compelling choice.

How They Stack Up by Photography Genre

A final genre-based assessment shows the ZS100 dominating sports, wildlife, video, and street photography domains due to its autofocus speed, zoom range, and video specs. The Olympus E-P1 shines in portrait, macro, and landscape photography where image quality combined with lens choice is paramount.

Summary: Which Camera Should You Choose?

Choose the Olympus E-P1 if:

• You want a classic mirrorless experience with the flexibility to build a lens kit
• Your photography focuses on portraits, landscapes, or macro work
• You’re budget-conscious and value interchangeable lenses over integrated zoom versatility
• You prefer a lightweight rangefinder-style body without a viewfinder
• You don’t need high frame rates or advanced video features

Choose the Panasonic ZS100 if:

• You need an all-in-one compact for travel, street, wildlife, or casual sports photography
• Fast autofocus, burst shooting, and advanced video are important
• You want higher resolution and better low-light capabilities
• You appreciate touchscreen controls and a built-in EVF for better framing
• You’re willing to invest more upfront for modern features and portability

Final Thoughts from Years of Testing

Having extensively tested both cameras in varied conditions, I can confidently say the E-P1 remains a landmark for mirrorless camera development - offering photographic growth potential via its lens ecosystem that few compacts can match. However, the Panasonic ZS100 better serves photographers who need flexibility without changing lenses, improved autofocus, and modern video capabilities.

Whether you prioritize creative control or convenience will guide your choice. For enthusiasts beginning their mirrorless journey with a budget, the Olympus E-P1 opens doors. For travelers or photographers seeking a versatile, compact powerhouse, the Panasonic ZS100 holds distinct advantages.

I hope this comprehensive comparison helps you make a confident decision for your next camera purchase. Remember, the best camera is the one that fits your style, feels comfortable in your hands, and inspires your creativity.

Happy shooting!