Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic ZS1

Lets look more closely at the Olympus E-PL1s versus Panasonic ZS1, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-PL1s (12MP) and the ZS1 (10MP) is fairly comparable but the E-PL1s (Four Thirds) and ZS1 (1/2.5") have different sensor size.

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The E-PL1s was released 19 months after the ZS1 making them a generation away from each other. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL1s being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS1 being a Compact camera.

Before we go into a full comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the E-PL1s grades against the ZS1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus PEN E-PL1s and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1. The complete galleries are provided at Olympus E-PL1s Gallery and Panasonic ZS1 Gallery.

For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera regularly, you will want to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL1s has outer dimensions of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS1 has proportions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-PL1s versus Panasonic ZS1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-PL1s vs the ZS1.

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL1s and ZS1 is 86 and 91 respectively.

Often, it is tough to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions just by seeing technical specs. The picture here should give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL1s and ZS1.

As you have seen, each of the cameras have different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The E-PL1s because of its larger sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF easier and the Olympus E-PL1s will show more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The more recent E-PL1s provides an advantage with regard to sensor tech.