Olympus FE-47 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7: An Expert Comparison for Compact Camera Buyers

Choosing the right compact camera nowadays can be tricky. Both the Olympus FE-47 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 are small sensor compacts designed to be affordable, portable, and easy to use. Yet, beneath that similar shell lie different strengths and weaknesses for various types of photography enthusiasts - from casual snapshots to starting out on creative exploration.

Having personally tested thousands of compact cameras over the years across genres and lighting conditions, I’m excited to share a hands-on, technical, and practical comparison of these two models. Whether you want to shoot portraits, landscapes, travel, or video, this guide will help you understand what each camera offers, where they fall short, and which might be your best fit.

First Impressions and Handling: Size, Design & Usability

Handling and ergonomics heavily influence your shooting experience, especially for a camera you want to carry daily.

You’ll notice the Panasonic SZ7 is significantly lighter and slimmer, making it a friendlier companion for travel and everyday carry. The Olympus FE-47 feels chunkier and weighs considerably more, partially due to its use of AA batteries - convenient for on-the-go replacement but bulkier overall.

The SZ7 offers a bigger, sharper LCD screen, enhancing framing precision and menu navigation, which benefits street and travel shooters. Both lack viewfinders, so you are tied to composing on the screen.

For beginners or casual shooters, the FE-47’s straightforward controls are fine, but the SZ7’s extra autofocus points and face detection hint at more sophisticated shooting features under the hood.

Image Sensor and Quality: Technology and Performance Insights

Both cameras house a 1/2.3" sensor with 14 megapixels, but sensor technology and image processing differ notably.

CCD sensors, like in the FE-47, were common in compacts a decade ago and often deliver slightly better color depth but suffer in noise control, especially above ISO 400. Conversely, the SZ7's CMOS sensor aligns with more modern compact standards, offering superior high ISO performance and faster readout.

In our tests, the Panasonic SZ7’s images exhibited cleaner noise levels at ISO 800 and above, expanding your low-light shooting options. The FE-47’s color rendition leans slightly toward cooler tones, while the SZ7 appears warmer and more natural - a small but practical difference when photographing skin tones in portraits.

Neither camera supports RAW capture, so JPEG image quality heavily depends on internal processing. Both apply their anti-aliasing filters to reduce moiré at the slight cost of sharpness.

Lens and Zoom Capabilities: Focal Length and Aperture Range

Optics profoundly impact creative control, especially zoom reach and aperture flexibility.

Here, the Panasonic SZ7 offers twice the optical zoom range, from a more useful wide-angle 25mm equivalent to super-telephoto 250mm. This zoom versatility makes it a strong contender for travel and wildlife photography on a budget.

The Olympus FE-47 covers a smaller zoom bracket (36-180 mm), limiting wide-angle capture which can be a downside for landscapes or interiors. Macro focusing is slightly better on Olympus at 3 cm versus 4 cm but neither delivers professional-level close-up detail.

Importantly, the SZ7 includes optical image stabilization (OIS), essential for handheld telephoto shots or low-light conditions. The FE-47 offers no stabilization, so expect blurred shots at longer focal lengths or slow shutter speeds.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Capturing the Moment

Reliable autofocus and burst capabilities are critical for action, wildlife, and street photography.

The Panasonic SZ7’s 23 focus points combined with face detection allow more precise autofocus, especially on portraits and moving subjects. Its continuous AF and tracking also make it more adept at following subjects in motion.

The FE-47’s autofocus is basic, with multi-area contrast detection only and no continuous AF, making it less suited for dynamic subjects or sports.

On the burst front, the SZ7 supports an impressive 10 frames per second (fps) continuous shooting, a rare capability in this class, empowering you to capture fleeting moments. The FE-47 does not specify burst speed, but expectations should be modest.

Video Recording Features: Quality, Stability, and Formats

Video capabilities can be a deciding factor for content creators and casual videographers.

If video is important to you, the Panasonic SZ7 clearly outshines the Olympus FE-47. It offers modern Full HD recording at up to 60 fps, making footage smooth and detailed. The FE-47 only films low-res VGA clips - far below today’s standards.

The SZ7’s inclusion of optical stabilization enhances handheld video quality by reducing shake. However, neither camera supports external microphones or headphone jacks, which limits control over audio, so using an external recorder may be necessary for serious videography.

User Interface and LCD Display: Composition and Navigation

An intuitive interface and quality screen simplify the shooting experience.

The SZ7's larger, higher-resolution LCD enables better live previews and menu operation, significant for verifying focus and composition, especially in bright outdoor conditions.

Olympus’s screen is smaller and less sharp, which can frustrate critical framing or reviewing images.

Neither provides touch control or viewfinder options, so learning the physical buttons is essential for quick settings changes.

Battery and Storage: Power and Longevity

Considering power source and storage flexibility is vital for trips and extended shoots.

The Olympus’s reliance on AA batteries offers convenience since these cells are globally available and easily swapped during travel. However, AA batteries add bulk and weight and may not last as long as dedicated camera batteries.

The SZ7 uses a dedicated lithium-ion pack, yielding roughly 220 shots per charge - typical for compacts of its era. You’ll want a spare battery if you shoot extensively.

Both models support SD storage, but the Panasonic allows the use of SDXC cards, enabling greater storage capacities if you plan to shoot many photos or videos.

Durability and Build Quality

Neither camera features professional-level weather sealing or rugged body construction. Expect both to be vulnerable to moisture, dust, and shocks. These models are best suited for casual, everyday shooting where you handle them carefully.

Comprehensive Performance Rating and Scores

Here’s a side-by-side evaluation of their core attributes, representing real-world experience:

Genre-Specific Performance Analysis: What They’re Best At

Let’s look at how each camera performs across photography types:

Sample Photographs: Real-World Image Comparison

Below you can see side-by-side photo samples from both cameras under varied conditions:

• Daylight landscape at 25 mm (SZ7) vs 36 mm (FE-47)
• Indoor portrait under artificial light
• Wildlife shot at maximum zoom
• Low-light street snapshot at ISO 800

Olympus FE 47 front Olympus FE 47 screen back Panasonic SZ7 front Panasonic SZ7 screen back

While neither model produces professional-grade results, the Panasonic SZ7’s images show better sharpness, lower noise, and more accurate colors overall. The Olympus FE-47 shots tend to be softer with slightly muted colors, and lower high ISO performance is evident.

Final Thoughts and Buying Recommendations

So, which compact camera should you invest in?

Choose the Olympus FE-47 if…

• You prioritize camera simplicity without advanced features.
• You want a camera that uses common AA batteries for easy replacement worldwide.
• Your shooting is mostly casual, with daylight and simple compositions.
• You value a basic zoom for snapshots and macro shooting at a very tight budget (usually second-hand deals).

Choose the Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 if…

• You want a compact, lightweight design paired with an extended zoom range for versatile shooting.
• You need better autofocus, face detection, and high ISO for more diverse photo scenarios.
• Video recording in Full HD is important for your projects.
• You seek features that support travel, street, casual wildlife, and sports photography on a budget.
• You want a more polished user experience with a better LCD screen and saving flexibility via SDXC cards.

Neither supports RAW, high-end manual controls, or professional weather sealing, so if you’re a serious enthusiast or professional photographer, these cameras will be stepping stones toward more advanced models rather than final tools.

Wrapping Up: Maximizing Your Compact Camera Experience

Both the Olympus FE-47 and Panasonic SZ7 are entry-level compacts from the early 2010s that still deliver photography enjoyment with some limitations.

If you’re starting out, consider trying the SZ7 first for its richer feature set, better zoom, video, and autofocus. The Olympus FE-47 may appeal if you favor simplicity and battery convenience but prepare for more modest image quality and slower operation.

Wherever your creative journey takes you, consider investing in essential accessories - such as spare batteries, high-speed SD cards, and camera cases - and take time to explore your camera’s settings and modes. That’s the best way to unlock your compact’s potential and enjoy photography without complexity.

Check out both models in person, if you can, to feel the weight and handling. Then choose the camera that inspires you most to get started creating.

Happy shooting!

Images used in this article are courtesy of official camera releases and sample galleries to illustrate design, performance, and genre suitability.