Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic ZS1
89 Imaging
52 Features
63 Overall
56
91 Imaging
32 Features
25 Overall
29
Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic ZS1 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 200 - 25600
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 269g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
- Released May 2013
- Old Model is Olympus E-PM1
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- 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 Known as Lumix DMC-TZ6
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Here is a in-depth analysis of the Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic ZS1, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Olympus and Panasonic. There is a considerable difference between the resolutions of the E-PM2 (16MP) and ZS1 (10MP) and the E-PM2 (Four Thirds) and ZS1 (1/2.5") have totally different sensor measurements.
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhoneThe E-PM2 was unveiled 4 years later than the ZS1 and that is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS1 being a Compact camera.
Before getting into a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the E-PM2 grades vs the ZS1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
Photography Glossary Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic ZS1 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus PEN E-PM2 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1. The full galleries are available at Olympus E-PM2 Gallery & Panasonic ZS1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Panasonic ZS1
| E-PM2 | ZS1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revealed | May 2013 | May 2009 | Fresher by 49 months | |
| Manually focus | Dial precise focus | |||
| Display size | 3" | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") | |
| Display resolution | 460k | 230k | Sharper display (+230k dot) | |
| Touch display | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS1 over the Olympus E-PM2
| ZS1 | E-PM2 |
|---|
Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic ZS1
| E-PM2 | ZS1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
| Selfie screen | Neither features selfie screen |
Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic ZS1 Physical Comparison
For those who are intending to carry your camera frequently, you should factor its weight and size. The Olympus E-PM2 enjoys outer measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS1 has specifications of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).
Look at the Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic ZS1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the E-PM2 vs the ZS1.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the E-PM2 and ZS1 is 89 and 91 respectively.
Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic ZS1 Sensor Comparison
Often, its hard to visualise the contrast between sensor sizing only by looking at technical specs. The visual here might provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PM2 and ZS1.
As you have seen, both of those cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-PM2 with its larger sensor will make getting shallow depth of field less difficult and the Olympus E-PM2 will give you more detail having an extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The more modern E-PM2 is going to have a benefit in sensor technology.
Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic ZS1 Screen and ViewFinder
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic ZS1 Specifications
| Olympus PEN E-PM2 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Make | Olympus | Panasonic |
| Model | Olympus PEN E-PM2 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 |
| Also called as | - | Lumix DMC-TZ6 |
| Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Small Sensor Superzoom |
| Released | 2013-05-21 | 2009-05-14 |
| Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
| Sensor size | Four Thirds | 1/2.5" |
| Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 5.744 x 4.308mm |
| Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 24.7mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 10 megapixel |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 |
| Peak resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 3648 x 2736 |
| Highest native ISO | 25600 | 6400 |
| Min native ISO | 200 | 100 |
| RAW format | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focus | ||
| AF touch | ||
| AF continuous | ||
| Single AF | ||
| Tracking AF | ||
| Selective AF | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| Multi area AF | ||
| AF live view | ||
| 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) |
| Largest aperture | - | f/3.3-4.9 |
| Macro focus distance | - | 3cm |
| Available lenses | 107 | - |
| Crop factor | 2.1 | 6.3 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen sizing | 3 inch | 2.7 inch |
| Screen resolution | 460 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch friendly | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | None |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 60 secs | 60 secs |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/2000 secs |
| Continuous shutter speed | 8.0 frames per second | 3.0 frames per second |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
| Set WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash range | 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) | 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 |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AEB | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Fastest flash sync | 1/250 secs | - |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment metering | ||
| Average metering | ||
| Spot metering | ||
| Partial metering | ||
| AF area metering | ||
| Center weighted metering | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 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) |
| Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 640x480 |
| Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
| Mic jack | ||
| Headphone jack | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | None |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environment seal | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 269 grams (0.59 lbs) | 229 grams (0.50 lbs) |
| 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 Overall score | 72 | not tested |
| DXO Color Depth score | 22.7 | not tested |
| DXO Dynamic range score | 12.2 | not tested |
| DXO Low light score | 932 | not tested |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 360 photographs | - |
| Battery form | 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 |
| Storage slots | Single | Single |
| Pricing at release | $448 | $0 |