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Olympus E-400 vs Panasonic SZ8

Portability
77
Imaging
44
Features
31
Overall
38
Olympus E-400 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36

Olympus E-400 vs Panasonic SZ8 Key Specs

Olympus E-400
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 435g - 130 x 91 x 53mm
  • Revealed September 2006
  • Updated by Olympus E-410
Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Released January 2014
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Olympus E-400 vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview

In this article, we are contrasting the Olympus E-400 and Panasonic SZ8, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a considerable gap among the sensor resolutions of the E-400 (10MP) and SZ8 (16MP) and the E-400 (Four Thirds) and SZ8 (1/2.3") enjoy totally different sensor size.

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The E-400 was unveiled 8 years earlier than the SZ8 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-400 being a Compact SLR camera and the Panasonic SZ8 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise view of how the E-400 grades vs the SZ8 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-400 over the Panasonic SZ8

 E-400 SZ8 
Manually focus Dial exact focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Olympus E-400

 SZ8 E-400 
ReleasedJanuary 2014September 2006Fresher by 89 months
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k215kClearer display (+245k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-400 and Panasonic SZ8

 E-400 SZ8 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither provides Touch friendly display

Olympus E-400 vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera frequently, you have to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-400 provides exterior dimensions of 130mm x 91mm x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") having a weight of 435 grams (0.96 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ8 has proportions of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

See the Olympus E-400 and Panasonic SZ8 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are using during that time. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the E-400 and the SZ8.

Olympus E-400 vs Panasonic SZ8 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-400 and SZ8 is 77 and 94 respectively.

Olympus E-400 vs Panasonic SZ8 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-400 vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be hard to see the contrast in sensor sizing purely by looking through specs. The graphic underneath might offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-400 and SZ8.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-400 using its larger sensor will make getting shallow DOF less difficult and the Panasonic SZ8 will render greater detail having an extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos a little more aggressively. The older E-400 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-400 vs Panasonic SZ8 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-400 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-400 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-400 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic SZ8 as a Portrait photography camera
46
manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
manual exposure not available
low MP (10 megapixels)
35
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
has face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-400 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic SZ8 as a Street photography camera
60
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (159 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-400
Sports photography with Panasonic SZ8
38
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
low MP (10 megapixels)
34
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
low battery power (200 shots)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-400 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic SZ8 as a Travel photography camera
49
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse recording
low MP (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
67
lighter than average (159 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
very long reach (288mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low battery power (200 per charge)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-400
Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ8
45
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
tiny screen (2.5")
doesn't have liveview
manual exposure not available
lack of image stabilization
low MP (10MP)
does not have Timelapse recording
42
pretty wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
low battery power (200 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-400 Vlogging information
Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging information
9
can't record video
32
pretty wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
lighter than average (159 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone socket
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Olympus E-400 vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-400 and Panasonic SZ8
 Olympus E-400Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus E-400 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
Category Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2006-09-14 2014-01-06
Physical type Compact SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Venus Engine
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Max boosted ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 3 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-288mm (12.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.1-6.3
Available lenses 45 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5" 3"
Resolution of screen 215k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 8 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.00 m (at ISO 100) 5.20 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p)
Max video resolution None 1280x720
Video format - Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 435 grams (0.96 lbs) 159 grams (0.35 lbs)
Dimensions 130 x 91 x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 200 photos
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch cost $599 $275