Olympus SP-620 UZ vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1: A Practical Comparison for Budget Superzoom Enthusiasts

When diving into the world of superzoom compact cameras, you're often caught between a dizzying range of specs and features that may or may not translate into real-world performance. Today, I’m putting two budget-friendly superzoom compacts head-to-head: the Olympus SP-620 UZ (announced early 2012) and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 (also known as the Lumix TZ6, dating from 2009). Both target casual photographers craving big zoom ranges without breaking the bank. But how do they really stack up for different photography genres and practical use?

Having tested thousands of cameras over the years, including both these models, I'll take you through their core strengths, typical shortcomings, and actual shooting experience. Expect no fluff here - just straightforward insights you can rely on if you’re eyeing either camera for your next purchase or build your sidekick kit.

First Impressions: Size, Handling, and Build Quality

Often overlooked in spec sheets, the physicality of a camera is the first hurdle to overcome. A great camera might fail spectacularly if it’s awkward to hold or use ergonomically.

Out of the gate, the Olympus SP-620 UZ presents itself as a chunkier unit, weighing about 435 grams and measuring approximately 110x74x74mm. It’s noticeably bulkier compared to the Panasonic ZS1, which tips the scales around 229 grams at 103x60x33mm. This means the Panasonic feels more pocketable and less obtrusive, a significant plus for street and travel photographers who prioritize portability.

Olympus SP-620 UZ builds itself on a plastic chassis with a moderately grippy rubberized handhold on the right. The weight balance leans toward the front, a natural consequence of its heavy zoom lens. Not a club for your thumbs, but nothing unwieldy either.

In contrast, the Panasonic ZS1 is noticeably slimmer with a flatter profile, lending a sleeker feel in hand. It’s less intimidating but also sacrifices some physical controls, which might be a downside for those who like manual tweaking (more on that later).

If you like a small, everyday carry setup, Panasonic edges the ergonomics battle. But if you’re okay with a bit more heft, the Olympus offers a more substantial grip that can help avoid camera shake - especially useful given its longer zoom reach.

Control Layout and Interface: Balancing Complexity and Simplicity

With compact superzooms, the ability to quickly dial in settings without wrestling menus can make or break your shooting experience.

Examining the top plate of both cameras, the Olympus SP-620 UZ provides a modest control scheme: a shutter button with zoom rocker, power switch, a mode dial limited in function (no full scene or manual modes), plus a popup flash control. It sticks to basics, no custom buttons or dedicated exposure knobs here.

The Panasonic ZS1’s top view reflects its compactness - a clean deck with a small mode dial and basic zoom/shutter combo. The buttons are smaller, which might feel cramped for larger hands during long shooting sessions.

Both cameras lack advanced control clubs for thumbs, but the Olympus’s slightly larger body affords better button spacing. Neither camera offers manual focus or aperture/shutter priority modes, which limits creative control. They’re genuinely aimed at point-and-shoot users with minimal fuss.

In terms of menu navigation and LCD interface, neither have touchscreens, relying on physical buttons to toggle settings - not a bad thing when you want tactile feedback, but slower for some adjustments.

Sensor Tech and Image Quality: How Much Zoom is Too Much Zoom?

Specs aside, this is the meat and potatoes of any camera review for photographers. How do these cameras actually handle image quality, noise, and dynamic range at various ISOs?

Sensor Architecture and Size

Both the Olympus SP-620 UZ and Panasonic ZS1 utilize small 1/2.3" CCD sensors, though Olympus’s sensor slightly edges out in size (6.17x4.55mm area vs Panasonic’s 5.7x4.3mm). Olympus also boasts a higher resolution - 16MP compared to Panasonic’s 10MP.

Practically, the difference in resolution means the Olympus can render larger prints or more aggressive cropping without visible quality loss. But pixel count isn’t everything - inherent sensor quality and image processing pipelines matter tremendously.

Image Processor and Noise Performance

Olympus’s TruePic III+ processor, though dated, works reasonably well for noise suppression and color reproduction under good lighting. The Panasonic ZS1, introduced earlier, has an older processing engine, leading to slightly more visible noise at ISO 400 and above.

Neither camera boasts RAW support or significant noise reduction customization, so you’re largely stuck with JPEG output and automatic noise reduction – not a playground for experimental editing but sufficient for casual use.

Real-World Image Output

In the day-to-day, the Olympus’s larger pixel count translates to sharper imagery with better detail retention, especially noticeable in landscapes or portraits where skin texture matters. The Panasonic’s images tend to be softer but slightly punchier in color straight out of camera.

At higher zooms (which both push impressively: Olympus 25-525mm equivalent; Panasonic 25–300mm), image clarity deteriorates due to optics and small sensor constraints, so expect softness and chromatic aberrations when zoomed fully.

LCD Screens and User Interface Ergonomics

Without electronic viewfinders on either camera, the LCD screen is fundamental for framing and reviewing shots.

The Olympus SP-620 UZ features a 3-inch, 230K-dot TFT LCD, fixed type, which is reasonably bright but can struggle under harsh sunlight. The Panasonic ZS1 offers a slightly smaller 2.7-inch screen at the same resolution but with no touchscreen or articulated capabilities.

In my hands-on use, the larger Olympus screen enhances composition and menu navigation. The Panasonic screen, while sharp, occasionally felt cramped, especially for zoomed-in focusing confirmation.

Neither camera’s screen supports touch input, clouding efficient white balance or drive mode selection. But again, these are budget compacts designed for straightforward shooting.

Autofocus Systems: Speed, Accuracy, and Subject Tracking

For action or wildlife shooters, autofocus can make or break a camera. Neither this Olympus nor the Panasonic claims pro-level AF tech, but how do they perform in day-to-day use?

The Olympus SP-620 UZ uses contrast-detection AF with face detection and some rudimentary tracking, but lacks phase-detection points or continuous autofocus modes. The camera supports AF tracking, but only at a basic level.

The Panasonic ZS1 is similarly equipped with contrast-detection AF, and has 11 focus points. It also supports face detection but has no AF tracking for moving targets.

In practice, both are competent for quick snapshots and still subjects. Sports and wildlife shoot-throughput will frustrate serious photogs wanting snappy continuous AF or deep predictive tracking, especially because burst rates hover around 3fps (limited by buffer and processor speeds).

If you prioritize shooting kids, pets, or fast action, neither model is ideal. But for hiking landscapes or urban scenes where pace is relaxed, AF systems perform adequately.

Zoom Range, Optics, and Macro Capabilities

Superzoom compacts often cater to the desire for “get close without fuss” versatility.

• Olympus SP-620 UZ: Offers 21x optical zoom (25-525mm equivalent) with a maximum aperture range of f/3.1 to 5.8.
• Panasonic ZS1: Has a 12x zoom (25-300mm equivalent) with an aperture spread of f/3.3 to 4.9.

The Olympus’s longer zoom reach is a significant advantage if you want to photograph distant wildlife, sports from the sidelines, or far-off landmarks. But beware, the narrower aperture at extended zoom lengths can make low light shots tricky without a tripod or image stabilization.

Macro-wise, Olympus can focus as close as 1 cm, allowing for surprisingly detailed close-ups of flowers or insects. The Panasonic is limited to 3 cm minimum focus distance - a good macro experience but less intimate.

Both use image stabilization: Olympus employs sensor-shift stabilization, while Panasonic uses optical stabilization. Both are effective at mitigating handshake during telephoto shots, critical given their small sensor and long zoom combos.

Video Recording: Slow and Steady vs. Lightweight Clips

Neither camera is a video powerhouse, but they both deliver respectable clips for casual users.

• The Olympus SP-620 UZ supports HD video recording at 1280x720p, 30fps using MPEG-4 and H.264 codecs. It lacks microphone input and headphone output but offers HDMI output for playback.

• The Panasonic ZS1 tops out at 640x480p (VGA resolution) at 30fps in Motion JPEG format, which by today’s pocket camera standards is pretty rudimentary.

This clearly favors the Olympus for anyone wanting to shoot HD video, albeit without much manual control or advanced video features. The Panasonic’s video is best suited for quick clips or snapshots when resolution is not a priority.

Battery Life and Storage Flexibility

A camera’s endurance is vital for long outings.

• Olympus relies on 4x AA batteries, a boon if you hate waiting for proprietary batteries to charge and prefer disposable or rechargeable AAs found everywhere.
• Panasonic uses a proprietary rechargeable battery, which is lighter but demands charge management.

Storage-wise, both accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, but the Panasonic has internal memory as a backup (measly capacity, but a nice touch).

AA batteries give Olympus extra convenience for travel or emergency replacement, while Panasonic’s battery weight savings benefit prolonged carry.

Wireless, Connectivity, and Modern Features

Connectivity features are almost an afterthought at this tier.

• Olympus offers some Eye-Fi wireless compatibility for tethered uploading.
• Panasonic ZS1 has no wireless or Bluetooth functionality.

Both have USB 2.0 for transfers; Olympus adds mini HDMI out, letting you view images on TVs easily. In 2024, lack of Wi-Fi is a handicap, but understandable given camera age and price.

Sample Images: A Direct Look at Quality and Characteristics

Nothing beats seeing sample images side-by-side from each camera under similar conditions.

Olympus SP 620 UZ front Olympus SP 620 UZ screen back Panasonic ZS1 front Panasonic ZS1 screen back

From my tasting sessions:

• The Olympus files feature more extensive detail and better skin tone rendering, especially with close-ups and portraits.
• Panasonic images feel flatter, more muted but slightly less noisy at low ISO in ideal light.
• Both struggle with dynamic range, blowing highlights easily in high contrast scenes.
• Zoomed-in shots on Olympus reveal stronger detail - at the cost of more noise creeping at tele levels.

Performance Summaries and Scores

Let’s break down their overall ratings and genre-specific performances to visualize strengths and weaknesses at a glance.

Highlights

Pros and Cons Recap

Olympus SP-620 UZ

Pros:

• Remarkably long 21x zoom (25-525mm equivalent)
• Higher 16MP resolution gives more detail and cropping latitude
• Macro mode with 1cm focus distance
• HD video with decent codecs and HDMI out
• Uses convenient AA batteries, easy to replace anywhere
• Sensor-shift image stabilization effective at longer zooms

Cons:

• Chunky, less pocketable design
• Limited manual controls, no RAW format
• Fixed LCD without touchscreen
• Autofocus not suited for fast action or sports
• No wireless connectivity except Eye-Fi support
• Moderate flash range (6m)

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1

Pros:

• Compact, lightweight and pocket-friendly design
• Handy 12x zoom (25-300mm equivalent)
• Slightly better ISO ceiling (up to 6400)
• 11 AF points and face detection aid composition
• Built-in internal memory for fallback storage

Cons:

• Lower 10MP resolution limits cropping/printing size
• Video limited to VGA resolution
• No manual control or RAW support
• Limited macro focusing ability (3cm minimum)
• Runs on proprietary batteries, risk of running dry without charger
• No wireless or HDMI connectivity

Who Should Buy Which? Recommendations for Different Photography Needs

For Budget Travelers and Casual Vacation Shooters

If pocketability and lightness are priorities, the Panasonic ZS1 wins hands down. It slips easily into pockets or purse sides, ideal for day-long strolls, urban wandering, or family trips where fuss-free operation is key. The image quality is reasonable, and zoom is versatile enough for most tourist scenes.

For Wildlife and Zoom-Crazy Shooters on a Shoestring Budget

The Olympus SP-620 UZ’s 21x superzoom is genuinely impressive on a budget. It allows chasing distant subjects - a rare feature in this price bracket. Its close focusing ability is a bonus for macro enthusiasts as well. If you don’t mind the bulk and slower autofocus, this camera serves better when you need reach and resolution.

For Beginners Who Value Simplicity and Decent Image Quality

Both cameras offer easy menus and limited controls - they cater well to beginners. However, Olympus’s higher resolution and better video might be more satisfying long term if you invest time learning basic composition.

For Enthusiasts Interested in Video Clips

Olympus’s HD video leaves Panasonic’s VGA in the dust. Owning the SP-620 gives you acceptable quality for casual YouTube or family videos without adding a separate camcorder.

Final Verdict: Balancing Features, Handling, and Image Quality

The Olympus SP-620 UZ is the clear leader for photographers craving the longest zoom range, higher resolution, and HD video – all at a budget-friendly price. If you’re comfortable sacrificing pocketability and don’t expect professional autofocus speed or manual modes, this camera punches above its weight in image quality and versatility.

Conversely, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 suits photographers who prioritize sleek design, easy portability, and straightforward shooting. It’s a compact tour companion offering decent image quality and moderate zoom, but it trails behind the Olympus in detailed imagery and video quality.

If you want my honest take: go Olympus if the long zoom and image quality are your top priorities and you’re okay lugging it around. Go Panasonic if you want a lightweight, easy-to-carry point-and-shoot for everyday snapshots without carrying camera clubs for your thumbs.

Thanks for sticking with me through this comprehensive comparison. As always, remember: the best camera is the one you enjoy carrying and using - these two deliver different flavors of fun, and I hope this guide helps you pick your perfect fit.

Happy shooting!

Appendix: Quick Specs Recap