Olympus E-M1X vs Panasonic SZ1
54 Imaging
61 Features
93 Overall
73


95 Imaging
39 Features
34 Overall
37
Olympus E-M1X vs Panasonic SZ1 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Display
- ISO 200 - 25600
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 4096 x 2160 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 997g - 144 x 147 x 75mm
- Revealed January 2019
- Earlier Model is Olympus E-M1 II
(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
- Revealed January 2012

Olympus E-M1X vs Panasonic SZ1 Overview
In this article, we are analyzing the Olympus E-M1X and Panasonic SZ1, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a big gap among the resolutions of the E-M1X (20MP) and SZ1 (16MP) and the E-M1X (Four Thirds) and SZ1 (1/2.3") possess different sensor dimensions.

The E-M1X was released 7 years after the SZ1 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M1X being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic SZ1 being a Compact camera.
Before getting straight into a detailed comparison, below is a simple summary of how the E-M1X grades vs the SZ1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Olympus E-M1X vs Panasonic SZ1 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus OM-D E-M1X and Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1. The complete galleries are available at Olympus E-M1X Gallery and Panasonic SZ1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1X over the Panasonic SZ1
E-M1X | SZ1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | January 2019 | ![]() | January 2012 | More modern by 86 months |
Manual focus | ![]() | More exact focusing | ||
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Display resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+807k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Olympus E-M1X
SZ1 | E-M1X |
---|
Common features in the Olympus E-M1X and Panasonic SZ1
E-M1X | SZ1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display sizing |
Olympus E-M1X vs Panasonic SZ1 Physical Comparison
If you are aiming to carry around your camera often, you will want to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus E-M1X enjoys physical dimensions of 144mm x 147mm x 75mm (5.7" x 5.8" x 3.0") and a weight of 997 grams (2.20 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ1 has sizing of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs).
Check out the Olympus E-M1X and Panasonic SZ1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are using at the time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the E-M1X compared to the SZ1.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1X and SZ1 is 54 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-M1X vs Panasonic SZ1 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it's difficult to visualize the difference in sensor sizes simply by viewing a spec sheet. The pic here will give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-M1X and SZ1.
As you can see, both the cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The E-M1X because of its larger sensor is going to make shooting bokeh less difficult and the Olympus E-M1X will render more detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images far more aggressively. The more modern E-M1X provides a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M1X vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1X vs Panasonic SZ1 Specifications
Olympus OM-D E-M1X | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model type | Olympus OM-D E-M1X | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 |
Class | Pro Mirrorless | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2019-01-24 | 2012-01-09 |
Physical type | SLR-style mirrorless | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Dual TruePic VIII | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 17.4 x 13mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor area | 226.2mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 20 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 5184 x 3888 | 4608 x 3456 |
Maximum native ISO | 25600 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 200 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Minimum enhanced ISO | 64 | - |
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | 121 | 23 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | - | 25-250mm (10.0x) |
Maximum aperture | - | f/3.1-5.9 |
Macro focusing range | - | 4cm |
Total lenses | 107 | - |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3" | 3" |
Display resolution | 1,037 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display technology | - | TFT Color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic | None |
Viewfinder resolution | 2,360 thousand dots | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.74x | - |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60 secs | 8 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Max quiet shutter speed | 1/32000 secs | - |
Continuous shutter rate | 60.0fps | 1.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | 5.60 m |
Flash options | 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 | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 4096x2160 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | Yes (USB-PD allows charging by laptop or external power bank) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | Built-in | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 997 gr (2.20 lbs) | 131 gr (0.29 lbs) |
Dimensions | 144 x 147 x 75mm (5.7" x 5.8" x 3.0") | 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 | 870 images | 250 images |
Battery type | Built-in | Battery Pack |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | - | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | Dual | One |
Retail price | $2,999 | $179 |