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Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS1

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
25
Overall
29

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS1 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
  • Introduced May 2010
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-PL1s
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
  • Revealed May 2009
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ6
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS1 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS1, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-PL1 (12MP) and the ZS1 (10MP) is relatively comparable but the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and ZS1 (1/2.5") posses totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-PL1 was revealed 13 months after the ZS1 which makes them a generation away from one another. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS1 being a Compact camera.

Before we go right into a complete comparison, here is a short introduction of how the E-PL1 matches up versus the ZS1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Panasonic ZS1

 E-PL1 ZS1 
RevealedMay 2010May 2009Newer by 13 months
Manually focus Dial exact focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS1 over the Olympus E-PL1

 ZS1 E-PL1 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic ZS1

 E-PL1 ZS1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal screen dimensions
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS1 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to travel with your camera, you will have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL1 provides outside dimensions of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") along with a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS1 has dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have attached at that moment. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the E-PL1 compared to the ZS1.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL1 and ZS1 is 86 and 91 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very hard to see the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by going through technical specs. The picture below should provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL1 and ZS1.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras have different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-PL1 having a bigger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF easier and the Olympus E-PL1 will provide greater detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more recent E-PL1 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL1
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS1
60
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focusing
saves RAW files
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
25
has face detect autofocus
no manual focus
no manual mode
no external flash support
low MP (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.5")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PL1
Street photography with Panasonic ZS1
74
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
fixed screen
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (229g)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.5")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Sports photography info
Panasonic ZS1 Sports photography info
44
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
not so great battery (290 CIPA)
has no phase detect AF
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
no shutter priority
low MP (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.5")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS1 as a Travel photography camera
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
not so great battery (290 CIPA)
low megapixels (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
63
lighter than others in class (229 grams)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
long reach (300mm)
missing Time Lapse function
low MP (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL1
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS1
55
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
small screen (2.7 inch)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
not so great battery (290 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
31
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
no manual mode
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.5")
has no RAW format
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS1 as a Vlogging camera
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focusing
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic jack
31
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
lighter than others in class (229g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
missing mic port
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic ZS1
 Olympus PEN E-PL1Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ6
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2010-05-17 2009-05-14
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Truepic V -
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 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-300mm (12.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing range - 3cm
Total lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 6.3
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.00 m 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 334 gr (0.74 pounds) 229 gr (0.50 pounds)
Physical dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 54 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.1 not tested
DXO Low light rating 487 not tested
Other
Battery life 290 photos -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLS-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC card SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $288 $0