Olympus XZ-1 vs Panasonic ZS1

Following is a comprehensive overview of the Olympus XZ-1 and Panasonic ZS1, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the XZ-1 (10MP) and the ZS1 (10MP) is pretty similar but the XZ-1 (1/1.63") and ZS1 (1/2.5") use different sensor dimensions.

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The XZ-1 was brought out 21 months after the ZS1 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the XZ-1 scores against the ZS1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Following is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus XZ-1 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1. The entire galleries are available at Olympus XZ-1 Gallery and Panasonic ZS1 Gallery.

For anyone who is planning to carry around your camera frequently, you need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus XZ-1 has got outer dimensions of 111mm x 65mm x 42mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7") along with a weight of 275 grams (0.61 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS1 has measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Look at the Olympus XZ-1 and Panasonic ZS1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Following is the front view size comparison of the XZ-1 and the ZS1.

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the XZ-1 and ZS1 is 88 and 91 respectively.

Oftentimes, it is tough to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes purely by reading specs. The picture underneath will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the XZ-1 and ZS1.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact resolution albeit different sensor sizes. The XZ-1 provides the bigger sensor which will make obtaining shallow depth of field less difficult. The more modern XZ-1 provides a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.