Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic ZS8
86 Imaging
47 Features
43 Overall
45
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92 Imaging
37 Features
39 Overall
37
Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic ZS8 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
- Released November 2010
- Succeeded the Olympus E-PL1
- New Model is Olympus E-PL2
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
- 210g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
- Revealed July 2011
- Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ18
- Superseded the Panasonic ZS7
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Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic ZS8 Overview
In this write-up, we are reviewing the Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic ZS8, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-PL1s (12MP) and the ZS8 (14MP) is very similar but the E-PL1s (Four Thirds) and ZS8 (1/2.3") enjoy different sensor measurements.
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The E-PL1s was unveiled 8 months earlier than the ZS8 so they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL1s being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS8 being a Compact camera.
Before going through a detailed comparison, below is a short view of how the E-PL1s matches up versus the ZS8 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
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Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic ZS8 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus PEN E-PL1s & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8. The full galleries are provided at Olympus E-PL1s Gallery & Panasonic ZS8 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1s over the Panasonic ZS8
E-PL1s | ZS8 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focus |
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Olympus E-PL1s
ZS8 | E-PL1s | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | July 2011 | ![]() | November 2010 | More recent by 8 months |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Common features in the Olympus E-PL1s and Panasonic ZS8
E-PL1s | ZS8 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Exact same display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither comes with selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | No Touch friendly display |
Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic ZS8 Physical Comparison
In case you're planning to lug around your camera frequently, you should think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL1s comes with outer measurements of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") with a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS8 has proportions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") along with a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs).
Check the Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic ZS8 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the E-PL1s versus the ZS8.
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Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL1s and ZS8 is 86 and 92 respectively.
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Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic ZS8 Sensor Comparison
Often, it's tough to imagine the gap between sensor measurements just by reviewing a spec sheet. The photograph underneath may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL1s and ZS8.
Clearly, the two cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The E-PL1s having a larger sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field simpler and the Panasonic ZS8 will offer you more detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos far more aggressively. The older E-PL1s is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.
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Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and ViewFinder
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Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
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Street Comparison
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Sports Comparison
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Travel Comparison
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Landscape Comparison
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Vlogging Comparison
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Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic ZS8 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PL1s | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model type | Olympus PEN E-PL1s | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 |
Also called | - | Lumix DMC-TZ18 |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Released | 2010-11-16 | 2011-07-19 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Truepic V | Venus Engine FHD |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 14MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 4320 x 3240 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | - | 24-384mm (16.0x) |
Highest aperture | - | f/3.3-5.9 |
Macro focusing range | - | 3cm |
Total lenses | 107 | - |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 2.7 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of display | 230k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Display technology | HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic (optional) | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 60 secs | 60 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 3.0 frames per sec | 2.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 10.00 m | 5.00 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 1/160 secs | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 334 grams (0.74 lb) | 210 grams (0.46 lb) |
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 Overall rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 290 photographs | 340 photographs |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | BLS-1 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Cost at release | $599 | $275 |