Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic SZ1

Below is a extensive overview of the Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic SZ1, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-M1 (16MP) and the SZ1 (16MP) is pretty close but the E-M1 (Four Thirds) and SZ1 (1/2.3") possess different sensor measurements.

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The E-M1 was manufactured 22 months later than the SZ1 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-M1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic SZ1 being a Compact camera.

Before going through a detailed comparison, below is a brief summation of how the E-M1 matches up versus the SZ1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

This is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus OM-D E-M1 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1. The entire galleries are viewable at Olympus E-M1 Gallery & Panasonic SZ1 Gallery.

If you are intending to lug around your camera often, you're going to have to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M1 offers outer dimensions of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") and a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs) and the Panasonic SZ1 has proportions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic SZ1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the E-M1 vs the SZ1.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 and SZ1 is 71 and 95 respectively.

More often than not, it is difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor measurements merely by looking through a spec sheet. The graphic here will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the E-M1 and SZ1.

As you can see, both the cameras posses the exact same megapixel count albeit different sensor measurements. The E-M1 provides the bigger sensor which is going to make achieving shallower depth of field less difficult. The more recent E-M1 should have an edge with regard to sensor tech.