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Olympus E-M10 vs Panasonic SZ1

Portability
82
Imaging
53
Features
73
Overall
61
Olympus OM-D E-M10 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37

Olympus E-M10 vs Panasonic SZ1 Key Specs

Olympus E-M10
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 396g - 119 x 82 x 46mm
  • Launched March 2014
  • Successor is Olympus E-M10 II
Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Introduced January 2012
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-M10 vs Panasonic SZ1 Overview

In this write-up, we are comparing the Olympus E-M10 vs Panasonic SZ1, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-M10 (16MP) and the SZ1 (16MP) is fairly similar but the E-M10 (Four Thirds) and SZ1 (1/2.3") come with different sensor size.

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The E-M10 was brought out 2 years after the SZ1 which is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M10 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic SZ1 being a Compact camera.

Before going straight into a full comparison, below is a short highlight of how the E-M10 scores versus the SZ1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M10 over the Panasonic SZ1

 E-M10 SZ1 
IntroducedMarch 2014January 2012Newer by 27 months
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1037k230kSharper display (+807k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Olympus E-M10

 SZ1 E-M10 

Common features in the Olympus E-M10 and Panasonic SZ1

 E-M10 SZ1 
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Olympus E-M10 vs Panasonic SZ1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to travel with your camera often, you have to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus E-M10 features outer measurements of 119mm x 82mm x 46mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 1.8") along with a weight of 396 grams (0.87 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ1 has sizing of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-M10 vs Panasonic SZ1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have attached at the time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the E-M10 versus the SZ1.

Olympus E-M10 vs Panasonic SZ1 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the E-M10 and SZ1 is 82 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-M10 vs Panasonic SZ1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M10 vs Panasonic SZ1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very difficult to visualize the gap between sensor dimensions merely by reviewing specs. The pic here should give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M10 and SZ1.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact MP but different sensor dimensions. The E-M10 features the larger sensor which will make achieving shallower depth of field easier. The younger E-M10 provides an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-M10 vs Panasonic SZ1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M10 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M10 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M10 Portrait photography information
Panasonic SZ1 Portrait photography information
71
has manual focus
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
34
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
includes face detect focusing
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M10 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic SZ1 as a Street photography camera
77
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
features touch to focus
above average high ISO (25,600)
heavier than competitors (396g)
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (131 grams)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M10 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic SZ1 Sports photography highlights
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
40
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M10 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic SZ1 Travel photography highlights
67
features touch to focus
good MP (16MP)
built-in flash
heavier than competitors (396 grams)
does not posses selfie friendly display
70
lighter than competition (131 grams)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
missing Timelapse function
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M10 Landscape photography details
Panasonic SZ1 Landscape photography details
79
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
above average high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
43
pretty wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
manual focus not available
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not available
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-M10
Vlogging with Panasonic SZ1
33
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not posses selfie friendly display
doesn't have mic socket
heavier than competitors (396g)
32
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
lighter than competition (131g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone jack
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Olympus E-M10 vs Panasonic SZ1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M10 and Panasonic SZ1
 Olympus OM-D E-M10Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M10 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2014-03-18 2012-01-09
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VII -
Sensor type CMOS 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 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 25600 6400
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 81 23
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-250mm (10.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 4cm
Total lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 1,037k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,440k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 8 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 8.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.80 m (ISO100) 5.60 m
Flash settings Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual(1/1(FULL)~1/64) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 396 grams (0.87 lb) 131 grams (0.29 lb)
Dimensions 119 x 82 x 46mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 1.8") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 72 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 884 not tested
Other
Battery life 320 pictures 250 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (12 sec., 2 sec.,custom (Waiting time 1-30sec.,Shooting interval 0.5/1/2/3sec.,Number of shots 1-10)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Price at launch $600 $179