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Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS10

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 front
Portability
91
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS10 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
  • Introduced May 2010
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-PL1s
Panasonic ZS10
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 219g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Revealed January 2011
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ20 / Lumix DMC-TZ22
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS10 Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Olympus E-PL1 versus Panasonic ZS10, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-PL1 (12MP) and the ZS10 (14MP) is fairly similar but the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and ZS10 (1/2.3") boast different sensor measurements.

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The E-PL1 was manufactured 8 months before the ZS10 so they are of a similar generation. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS10 being a Compact camera.

Before we go into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the E-PL1 matches up against the ZS10 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Panasonic ZS10

 E-PL1 ZS10 
Manually focus Very accurate focusing

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS10 over the Olympus E-PL1

 ZS10 E-PL1 
RevealedJanuary 2011May 2010Newer by 8 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic ZS10

 E-PL1 ZS10 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS10 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to travel with your camera regularly, you'll need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL1 offers external 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 ZS10 has dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") and a weight of 219 grams (0.48 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-PL1 versus Panasonic ZS10 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you choose at that time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-PL1 versus the ZS10.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS10 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the E-PL1 and ZS10 is 86 and 91 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS10 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS10 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is tough to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions only by reviewing a spec sheet. The image here may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL1 and ZS10.

As you can see, both of those cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The E-PL1 featuring a larger sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field easier and the Panasonic ZS10 will deliver greater detail due to its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics a bit more aggressively. The more aged E-PL1 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS10 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS10 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS10 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL1
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS10
60
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focus
delivers RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
30
good megapixels (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Street photography info
Panasonic ZS10 Street photography info
74
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
screen is fixed
65
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with focus by touch
lighter than competitors (219 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Sports photography features
Panasonic ZS10 Sports photography features
44
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery life (290 CIPA)
lacks phase detect auto focus
47
amazing zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
comes with tracking focus
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (260 shots)
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Travel photography details
Panasonic ZS10 Travel photography details
51
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
not so great battery life (290 CIPA)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly display
67
lighter than competitors (219 grams)
comes with focus by touch
good megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
long reach (384mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
terrible battery power (260 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic ZS10 Landscape photography advice
55
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
small screen (2.7 inches)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery life (290 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse mode
42
decently wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
terrible battery power (260 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Vlogging details
Panasonic ZS10 Vlogging details
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focus
does not have selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic port
34
decently wide (24mm)
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors (219 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone support
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic ZS10 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic ZS10
 Olympus PEN E-PL1Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ20 / Lumix DMC-TZ22
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2010-05-17 2011-01-25
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Truepic V Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4032 x 3024 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 11 23
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-384mm (16.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing range - 3cm
Available lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 10.00 m 5.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone 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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 334 gr (0.74 lb) 219 gr (0.48 lb)
Physical dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 260 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $288 $350