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Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic ZS1

Portability
95
Imaging
36
Features
34
Overall
35
Olympus VH-515 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
25
Overall
29

Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic ZS1 Key Specs

Olympus VH-515
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 152g - 102 x 60 x 21mm
  • Launched August 2012
Panasonic ZS1
(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
  • Launched May 2009
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ6
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Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic ZS1 Overview

Following is a extensive analysis of the Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic ZS1, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the VH-515 (12MP) and the ZS1 (10MP) is fairly comparable but the VH-515 (1/2.3") and ZS1 (1/2.5") posses different sensor size.

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The VH-515 was launched 3 years after the ZS1 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a in depth comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the VH-515 grades versus the ZS1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VH-515 over the Panasonic ZS1

 VH-515 ZS1 
LaunchedAugust 2012May 2009More modern by 40 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS1 over the Olympus VH-515

 ZS1 VH-515 

Common features in the Olympus VH-515 and Panasonic ZS1

 VH-515 ZS1 
Manually focus No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic ZS1 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry around your camera, you're going to have to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus VH-515 has outer dimensions of 102mm x 60mm x 21mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 0.8") and a weight of 152 grams (0.34 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS1 has proportions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Compare the Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic ZS1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are using at that time. Here is a front view scale comparison of the VH-515 versus the ZS1.

Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic ZS1 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the VH-515 and ZS1 is 95 and 91 respectively.

Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic ZS1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic ZS1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very tough to picture the difference in sensor sizes merely by going through specs. The image underneath might give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the VH-515 and ZS1.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The VH-515 featuring a larger sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF easier and the Olympus VH-515 will produce extra detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images way more aggressively. The newer VH-515 should have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic ZS1 sensor size comparison

Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic ZS1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic ZS1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VH-515 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS1 as a Portrait photography camera
27
comes with face detection focus
no manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
25
comes with face detect focus
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.5")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus VH-515 Street photography advice
Panasonic ZS1 Street photography advice
62
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with focus via touch
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (229 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.5")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VH-515 Sports photography features
Panasonic ZS1 Sports photography features
32
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
24
built in image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.5")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus VH-515
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS1
62
comes with focus via touch
has built in flash
rather wide (26mm)
no Timelapse mode
low resolution sensor (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
63
lighter than competition in class (229 grams)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
long zoom (300mm)
missing Time Lapse function
low megapixels (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus VH-515 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic ZS1 Landscape photography factors
37
rather wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
no manual control
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
no Timelapse mode
31
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.5")
has no RAW files
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VH-515 Vlogging features
Panasonic ZS1 Vlogging features
35
rather wide (26mm)
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detection focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
no external microphone support
31
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focus
lighter than competition in class (229g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (640 x 480 pxls)
missing mic port
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Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic ZS1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VH-515 and Panasonic ZS1
 Olympus VH-515Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus VH-515 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ6
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2012-08-21 2009-05-14
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III+ -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.5"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 5.744 x 4.308mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 24.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-130mm (5.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-6.5 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus distance 5cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 6.3
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.70 m 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30,15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 180 (30,15 fps) 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 152 gr (0.34 lb) 229 gr (0.50 lb)
Physical dimensions 102 x 60 x 21mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 0.8") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery model LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $648 $0