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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZS1

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
25
Overall
29

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZS1 Key Specs

Olympus E-PM1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 265g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Revealed November 2011
  • New Model is Olympus E-PM2
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
  • Announced May 2009
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ6
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZS1 Overview

On this page, we will be comparing the Olympus E-PM1 versus Panasonic ZS1, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-PM1 (12MP) and the ZS1 (10MP) is relatively well matched but the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and ZS1 (1/2.5") boast different sensor size.

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The E-PM1 was launched 2 years later than the ZS1 and that is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS1 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a concise view of how the E-PM1 scores versus the ZS1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Panasonic ZS1

 E-PM1 ZS1 
AnnouncedNovember 2011May 2009Fresher by 31 months
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS1 over the Olympus E-PM1

 ZS1 E-PM1 

Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic ZS1

 E-PM1 ZS1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZS1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera regularly, you will have to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PM1 offers outside dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") along with a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS1 has sizing of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-PM1 versus Panasonic ZS1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are employing at that moment. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-PM1 compared to the ZS1.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZS1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the E-PM1 and ZS1 is 89 and 91 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZS1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZS1 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be hard to visualize the difference between sensor sizing simply by reading through specifications. The photograph below will provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PM1 and ZS1.

To sum up, both of those cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-PM1 featuring a bigger sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field less difficult and the Olympus E-PM1 will give you greater detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The younger E-PM1 should have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZS1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZS1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZS1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PM1
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS1
60
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features face detection focusing
supports RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
25
has face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS1 as a Street photography camera
75
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
no moving screen
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (229 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS1 as a Sports photography camera
49
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12MP)
no phase detect AF
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.5")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Travel photography info
Panasonic ZS1 Travel photography info
45
doesn't have Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
63
lighter than competitors (229 grams)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (10MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic ZS1 Landscape photography factors
65
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
31
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW support
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PM1
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS1
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone socket
31
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
lighter than competitors (229g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have microphone support
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZS1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic ZS1
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PM1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-TZ6
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2011-11-23 2009-05-14
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VI -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.5"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 5.744 x 4.308mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 24.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Highest resolution 4032 x 3024 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 12800 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 35 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-300mm (12.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus range - 3cm
Total lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 6.3
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
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 None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 265g (0.58 lb) 229g (0.50 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 52 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.3 not tested
DXO Low light score 499 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 photographs -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery model BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $499 $0