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Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic SZ7

Portability
71
Imaging
52
Features
85
Overall
65
Olympus OM-D E-M1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 front
Portability
95
Imaging
37
Features
41
Overall
38

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic SZ7 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 497g - 130 x 94 x 63mm
  • Revealed October 2013
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-M1 II
Panasonic SZ7
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 133g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Released January 2012
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic SZ7 Overview

Here is a in-depth overview of the Olympus E-M1 and Panasonic SZ7, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-M1 (16MP) and the SZ7 (14MP) is fairly close but the E-M1 (Four Thirds) and SZ7 (1/2.3") offer totally different sensor sizing.

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The E-M1 was launched 22 months later than the SZ7 making them a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic SZ7 being a Compact camera.

Before we go right into a in depth comparison, here is a short highlight of how the E-M1 grades against the SZ7 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Panasonic SZ7

 E-M1 SZ7 
ReleasedOctober 2013January 2012Fresher by 22 months
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1037k460kCrisper display (+577k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ7 over the Olympus E-M1

 SZ7 E-M1 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 and Panasonic SZ7

 E-M1 SZ7 
Display size3"3"Same display measurement
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic SZ7 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry your camera, you have to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus E-M1 has exterior measurements of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") with a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ7 has specifications of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-M1 and Panasonic SZ7 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilising at that moment. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the E-M1 versus the SZ7.

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic SZ7 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-M1 and SZ7 is 71 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic SZ7 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic SZ7 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be tough to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing only by viewing a spec sheet. The visual underneath should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M1 and SZ7.

As you can see, the two cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-M1 due to its larger sensor will make getting bokeh simpler and the Olympus E-M1 will result in extra detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics way more aggressively. The fresher E-M1 is going to have an edge in sensor tech.

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic SZ7 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic SZ7 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic SZ7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-M1
Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ7
71
focusing manually
flash sync speed is above average (1/320s)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
33
decent MP (14 megapixels)
includes face detection focus
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic SZ7 as a Street photography camera
77
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
features touch focus
environment proofing
lighter than competitors in class (497 grams)
great high ISO (25,600)
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (133 grams)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-M1
Sports photography with Panasonic SZ7
69
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
environment proofing
supports phase detect autofocus
low battery (350 CIPA)
43
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
includes tracking autofocus
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic SZ7 as a Travel photography camera
65
lighter than competitors in class (497 grams)
environment proofing
features touch focus
decent megapixels (16MP)
low battery (350 shots)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
70
lighter than competition in class (133g)
decent MP (14MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic SZ7 as a Landscape photography camera
72
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
great high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
low battery (350 CIPA)
42
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic SZ7 as a Vlogging camera
36
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with microphone support
lighter than competitors in class (497 grams)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
35
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (133g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have external microphone support
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Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic SZ7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 and Panasonic SZ7
 Olympus OM-D E-M1Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7
Type Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2013-10-28 2012-01-09
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePIC VII -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
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 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 25600 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 81 23
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus range - 4cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 1,037 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 8 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 5.60 m
Flash options Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain), Manual Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/320 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 497 gr (1.10 lbs) 133 gr (0.29 lbs)
Physical dimensions 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 73 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.7 not tested
DXO Low light score 757 not tested
Other
Battery life 350 images 220 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLN-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch cost $799 $199