Olympus Stylus 1s vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30: A Definitive Comparison for Serious Enthusiasts

When it comes to small-sensor superzoom cameras, the Olympus Stylus 1s and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 (also known as the Lumix TZ40) are two frequently recommended contenders for photographers craving an all-in-one solution. Released a couple of years apart, both models push the boundaries of compactness and zoom reach, aiming to serve casual shooters as well as enthusiast photographers wanting versatility without the bulk of interchangeable lenses. But which suits your needs better?

Having spent dozens of hours testing each extensively - capturing portraits, landscapes, wildlife, sports, and beyond - I’m ready to dissect the real-world performance differences and usability nuances. This comparison illustrates technical strengths and practical implications to help you make an informed choice.

Size, Build, and Handling: Bridge Style vs Compact Mobility

Right off the bat, these two cameras take very different approaches to design and ergonomics. The Olympus Stylus 1s follows the bridge camera tradition with an SLR-like body. It’s undeniably larger and heftier.

The Stylus 1s measures 116 x 87 x 57 mm, weighing 402 grams. For a fixed-lens camera, that’s surprisingly robust. Its grip is generous and comfortable for extended sessions, especially in challenging environments. The lens barrel is quite prominent, reinforcing confidence when using the extended 28-300mm equivalent zoom range.

In contrast, the Panasonic ZS30 is a much smaller button-and-dial affair at 105 x 59 x 28 mm and 198 grams. This slim and pocketable compact camera is perfect for travel and street photography - situations where discretion and light weight are critical. Its more minimalist body, however, means handling is less secure, especially with long telephoto reach.

What’s remarkable about the Olympus unit is the well-thought-out control layout. Physical dials for aperture, shutter speed, and exposure compensation facilitate quick adjustments - a boon for experienced shooters who like tactile feedback. The Panasonic opts for a more streamlined control scheme, leaning heavily on the rear touchscreen with minimal manual dial options. It’s approachable for casual users but may frustrate those who prefer direct control.

Ergonomics Verdict: If duty-specific handling and a substantial grip are priorities, Olympus Stylus 1s is a clear winner. For ultra-portable convenience without sacrificing zoom flexibility, the Panasonic ZS30 remains tough to beat.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Sensor Size vs Resolution Balance

Image quality is paramount in this comparison. Both cameras sport small sensors, but with different sizing and megapixel counts that hint at their imaging characteristics.

The Stylus 1s features a 1/1.7-inch BSI-CMOS sensor measuring 7.44 x 5.58 mm, totaling about 41.52 mm² sensor area, with 12 megapixels (3968 x 2976 pixels). The Panasonic ZS30 has a smaller 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor (6.17 x 4.55 mm, 28.07 mm²) but a higher resolution of 18 MP (4896 x 3672 pixels).

Although a higher pixel count might sound appealing, smaller physical photosites tend to be more noise-prone and can suffer in low light. The Olympus’s larger sensor with fewer pixels is advantageous in delivering better dynamic range and cleaner high-ISO performance - critical for low-light shooting and retaining highlight/shadow detail.

In practical shooting, the Stylus 1s produced noticeably cleaner images at ISO 800 and above, with less chroma noise and more detail retention. The Panasonic’s sensor resolution allows for slightly crisper images in bright daylight, ideal for landscapes or macro where pixel-level sharpness is appreciated. However, the penalty manifests as more aggressive noise reduction when the light dims.

Both sensors apply anti-aliasing filters, which help reduce moiré but soften extremely fine textures slightly.

Image Quality Verdict: Olympus Stylus 1s favors better image cleanliness, color fidelity, and dynamic range, well suited for diverse lighting conditions. Panasonic ZS30 appeals to those prioritizing resolution and detail in good light but less demanding environments.

Rear Screen and Viewfinder: Composing with Confidence

Viewfinder and screen quality can often make or break your shooting experience, especially for tighter framing and bright outdoor use.

The Olympus Stylus 1s boasts an electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 1,440k-dot resolution providing 100% coverage - an uncommon feature in this class that enhances compositional precision, especially when using long telephoto focal lengths or bright sunlight that washes out LCDs. Its 3-inch tilting touchscreen delivers 1,040k-dot resolution, responsive and bright enough for most use cases.

By contrast, the Panasonic ZS30 lacks an EVF entirely, relying only on a fixed 3-inch LCD touchscreen with a comparatively lower 920k-dot resolution. While the touchscreen is reasonably bright indoors, outdoor visibility suffers, requiring more attention when composing. The lack of a tilting mechanism also restricts creative framing from low or high angles.

Usability Verdict: If you value precise, eye-level composition to stabilize your shots and track subjects, Olympus’s Stylus 1s EVF and tilt screen combo are distinct advantages. On the other hand, Panasonic’s compact plan sacrifices viewfinder convenience for dimensional compactness.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Tracking Moving Subjects

Neither camera has an advanced phase detection AF system, but both employ contrast-detection autofocus with different implementations. Performance also depends on lens focal reach and burst shooting rates.

The Olympus Stylus 1s uses 35 focus points with face detection enabled, providing reliable autofocus tracking that feels responsive in real-world use. It supports continuous autofocus during burst shooting at 7 frames per second - a respectable speed that handles wildlife or street action moderately well.

The Panasonic ZS30 features 23 focus points but lacks facial detection and offers continuous autofocus only during live view, not at burst mode. However, it achieves a faster maximum burst rate of 10 frames per second, which is impressive given the small buffer size and sensor speed constraints.

Autofocus in Comparison:

• Olympus 1s: More accurate AF tracking in moderate to good light, face detection helps on portraits and street.
• Panasonic ZS30: Faster shooting but slightly less reliable AF tracking, especially in low contrast subjects.

For wildlife and sports where quick focus acquisition and burst accuracy matter, Olympus edges ahead due to better AF algorithms paired with the stabilized 28-300mm lens. Panasonic’s longer max zoom (24-480mm equivalent) is tempting but more prone to focus hunting given slower AF.

Lens Performance and Optical Quality: Brightness Meets Zoom Reach

The optical formula profoundly influences image rendition, especially bokeh quality, sharpness, and versatility.

• Olympus Stylus 1s lens: 28-300mm equivalent focal length (10.7× zoom), constant bright aperture of f/2.8.
• Panasonic ZS30 lens: 24-480mm equivalent focal length (20× zoom), variable aperture f/3.3-6.4.

Olympus’s constant f/2.8 aperture is a rare luxury in superzoom fixed lenses. This consistency across zoom range provides greater depth of field control and better low-light capability, enhancing portraits with creamy bokeh and sharper subject separation. The lens is optically well-corrected, exhibiting low distortion and chromatic aberration.

Panasonic’s lens impresses with twice the zoom reach, appealing to travel and wildlife shooters seeking reach without swapping lenses. However, the aperture narrows considerably at longer focal lengths, limiting low-light use and shallow depth of field effects. The smaller aperture, coupled with a smaller sensor, means compromising image quality in challenging lighting.

Macro focusing ranges differ too: Olympus can focus as close as 5 cm, Panasonic as close as 3 cm, giving Panasonic a slight edge for close-up shooting.

Lens Verdict: Olympus offers a better overall imaging platform with a bright, fast lens that benefits portraits and low-light work. Panasonic trades some image quality finesse for remarkable zoom versatility and close focusing.

Flash, Stabilization, and Exposure Control

Both cameras include built-in flash units and optical image stabilization - essential for small sensor zooms tackling diverse shooting conditions.

Olympus has a more powerful flash range (up to 10.3 m at ISO 1600) compared to Panasonic’s 6.4 m, plus advanced flash modes including red-eye reduction and slow sync. The Stylus 1s also accepts external flashes, improving lighting options for studio-style or event work.

Both implement optical image stabilization well, reducing shake at telephoto focal lengths. That said, Olympus’s longer focal aperture allows lower ISOs and faster shutter speeds in zoomed-in shots, complementing stabilization effectiveness.

Exposure controls are robust on both cameras, supporting aperture priority, shutter priority, manual modes, and various bracketing options. Olympus includes custom white balance presets and both cameras provide exposure compensation - a must-have for tricky light.

Video Capabilities: Who Makes Better Movies?

For casual videographers, 1080p Full HD recording is standard. Both cameras offer 1920 x 1080 resolution video but differ in frame rate and codec nuances.

• Olympus Stylus 1s: Records 1080p at 30 fps, using MPEG-4 and H.264 compression. Video stabilization is optical but lacks dedicated electronic stabilization modes. No external microphone input.
• Panasonic ZS30: Shoots 1080p at up to 60 fps, supporting both MPEG-4 and AVCHD formats for flexible editing workflows. It also offers slow motion at 220 fps (in 320x240), useful for creative effects.

Neither camera features 4K recording or advanced movie audio inputs - unsurprising given their class and release timeframe. Olympus’s optical stabilizer provides steady handheld video, but Panasonic’s higher frame rate and AVCHD codec allow smoother footage at 60 fps if frame fluidity is your priority.

Battery Life and Storage: How Long and How Much?

In the field, battery endurance and storage flexibility quickly impact usability.

Olympus Stylus 1s uses the proprietary BLS-50 battery pack rated for around 450 shots per charge (CIPA standard). This is impressive for bridge cameras and suits extended outings. Panasonic, being more compact and power-efficient, offers 260 shots per charge - a trade-off for smaller size and fewer power-hungry components.

Storage-wise, both accept one SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot. Panasonic additionally supports internal memory, a neat backup but limited capacity. Both cameras have USB 2.0 for data transfer, and HDMI output for tethered or playback purposes.

Wireless and Extras: Connectivity and Features

Wireless connectivity is fairly basic - no Bluetooth or NFC on either model, but both offer built-in Wi-Fi for image transfer, remote control, and geotagging (Panasonic has built-in GPS, Olympus does not). This makes the Panasonic ZS30 better suited for travel photographers keen on location data without relying on smartphone apps.

Neither camera has weather sealing or ruggedization, so care in the field is advised if you shoot in adverse conditions.

Real-World Photography: Putting Cameras to the Test Across Genres

To best assemble a well-rounded verdict, I've tested both cameras across key photography disciplines, judging their ability to meet genre-specific demands.

Olympus 1s front Olympus 1s screen back Panasonic ZS30 front Panasonic ZS30 screen back

Portraits: Skin Tones & Bokeh

The Olympus Stylus 1s wins here hands-down. Its larger sensor and fast f/2.8 lens produce creamy bokeh, smooth skin tone gradations, and more pronounced subject separation. Face detection autofocus reliably locks eyes, speeding up capture.

Panasonic ZS30’s deeper depth of field and limited maximum aperture restrict subject isolation. Faces look adequately rendered but rarely flow with the same smoothness or three-dimensionality.

Landscapes: Resolution & Dynamic Range

Panasonic’s 18MP sensor shines in detailed landscapes under ideal lighting, offering finely textured image files. However, Olympus’s superior dynamic range preserves shadow and highlight detail in more challenging scenes. Weather sealing is absent on both, but Olympus’s build inspires more confidence for fieldwork.

Wildlife: AF Speed & Telephoto Reach

Panasonic’s 20× zoom (approx. 480mm equivalent) offers impressive reach in a tiny package but is let down slightly by slower contrast-detection AF and modest burst buffer. Olympus’s 28-300mm stabilized lens paired with accurate AF tracking and burst shooting is more reliable for moving subjects, though field coverage is less extensive.

Sports: Tracking & Frame Rates

Neither is designed explicitly for sports. The Panasonic’s 10 fps burst rate offers leverage for action capture, but fixed focus algorithms and buffer limit continuous shooting length. Olympus offers a more balanced experience with better continuous AF and handling but slower max burst. For serious sports, dedicated DSLR or mirrorless cameras remain superior.

Street Photography: Discretion & Portability

Panasonic’s smaller footprint and quiet operation make it the better street companion. Olympus’s bigger body and EVF add image quality but hamper subtle shooting and portability.

Macro: Focus Precision & Magnification

Both cameras offer close focusing lenses. Panasonic’s 3cm macro minimum is superior for tight close-ups. Olympus’s lens at 5cm minimum and larger sensor often produces smoother background blur for separating macro subjects.

Night & Astro: High ISO & Exposure Control

Olympus’s superior sensor performance shines for night shooting with lower noise and better white balance control. The brighter f/2.8 lens also admits more light for astrophotography or long exposures.

Video: Frame Rates & Stabilization

Panasonic’s 1080p60 capability offers smoother motion capture, ideal for casual video projects. Olympus’s 1080p30 is adequate and benefits from superior optical stabilization.

Travel: Versatility & Battery

Panasonic is an ultra-light, unobtrusive travel partner with amazing zoom and GPS tagging. Olympus’s longer battery life and better image quality help on extended tours when carrying light superzooms aren’t quite enough.

Professional Use: File Formats & Reliability

Olympus supports RAW shooting, essential for workflow flexibility, while Panasonic does not. Olympus provides a more professional palette despite the compact class constraints. Neither camera offers weather sealing or high-end durability.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Both the Olympus Stylus 1s and Panasonic Lumix ZS30 fill important niches for users desiring all-in-one superzoom cameras. Here's how I would summarize their appeal based on use case:

Choose Olympus Stylus 1s if you prioritize:

• Superior image quality with cleaner high-ISO and better dynamic range
• A fast, constant f/2.8 lens for portraits and low-light shooting
• Physical dials and EVF for intuitive, tactile control and versatile composition
• RAW image capture for post-processing flexibility
• Longer battery life and more robust build for intensive use
• Moderate-sized zoom suited for wildlife and casual sports shooting

Choose Panasonic Lumix ZS30 if you prioritize:

• Ultra-compact and lightweight design perfect for travel and street shooting
• Exceptional 20× zoom range reaching 480mm equivalent telephoto territory
• Higher resolution sensor for pixel-level detail in optimal light
• 1080p video at 60 fps and slow motion capability
• Built-in GPS for effortless geotagging on the go
• Faster burst shooting for action-oriented sequences

Closing Remarks From The Trenches

While neither the Olympus Stylus 1s nor the Panasonic ZS30 can replace true interchangeable lens systems, each packs a punch in a small body. I’m impressed by Olympus’s bold choice to blend bulky camera ergonomics with a fast, bright zoom lens and EVF. It caters to enthusiasts who refuse to compromise too much for portability.

Panasonic’s ZS30 is a classic pocket travel zoom - a Trojan horse to integrate extensive telephoto reach without demanding user tinkering or stiffness. It's superb for photographers who value convenience and reach more than image quality under all conditions.

Ultimately, your choice hinges on balancing your photography style, handling preferences, and budget. Both cameras still deserve a spot in camera bags for casual shoots, travel, and learning purposes.

Thank you for reading this in-depth comparison. I hope the insights shared from direct hands-on testing empower you to select the camera that truly fits your creative aspirations and practical needs.

If you want a quick visual recap:

Happy shooting!