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Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic SZ1

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
42
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-P1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic SZ1 Key Specs

Olympus E-P1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 355g - 121 x 70 x 36mm
  • Released July 2009
  • Successor is Olympus E-P2
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
  • Announced January 2012
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Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic SZ1 Overview

Here, we are contrasting the Olympus E-P1 and Panasonic SZ1, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a crucial gap among the sensor resolutions of the E-P1 (12MP) and SZ1 (16MP) and the E-P1 (Four Thirds) and SZ1 (1/2.3") offer totally different sensor size.

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The E-P1 was brought out 3 years before the SZ1 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-P1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic SZ1 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight to a detailed comparison, here is a short introduction of how the E-P1 scores against the SZ1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-P1 over the Panasonic SZ1

 E-P1 SZ1 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Olympus E-P1

 SZ1 E-P1 
AnnouncedJanuary 2012July 2009More modern by 29 months

Common features in the Olympus E-P1 and Panasonic SZ1

 E-P1 SZ1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display size
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic SZ1 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry around your camera, you'll have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-P1 has got outer dimensions of 121mm x 70mm x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") having a weight of 355 grams (0.78 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ1 has proportions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-P1 and Panasonic SZ1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you use at the time. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the E-P1 and the SZ1.

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic SZ1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-P1 and SZ1 is 86 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic SZ1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic SZ1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its difficult to visualise the gap in sensor sizes simply by going through specifications. The pic here may give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the E-P1 and SZ1.

Plainly, the 2 cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The E-P1 featuring a larger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Panasonic SZ1 will show extra detail having its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop photos way more aggressively. The more aged E-P1 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic SZ1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P1 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic SZ1 as a Portrait photography camera
60
has manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
34
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
features face detect autofocus
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Street photography highlights
Panasonic SZ1 Street photography highlights
74
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
screen does not articulate
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (131g)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-P1
Sports photography with Panasonic SZ1
40
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12MP)
low battery pack (300 per charge)
lack of phase detect autofocus
40
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
features tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Travel photography details
Panasonic SZ1 Travel photography details
43
does not have Time Lapse recording
low battery pack (300 per charge)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
70
lighter than average (131 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Landscape photography features
Panasonic SZ1 Landscape photography features
60
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
low battery pack (300 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse recording
43
pretty wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P1 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic SZ1 as a Vlogging camera
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection autofocus
does not posses selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic support
32
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
lighter than average (131g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic socket
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Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic SZ1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P1 and Panasonic SZ1
 Olympus PEN E-P1Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-P1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Released 2009-07-29 2012-01-09
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic V -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4032 x 3024 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 11 23
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus distance - 4cm
Total lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology HyperCrystal LCD with AR(Anti-Reflective) coating TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 8s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 5.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 355 grams (0.78 lb) 131 grams (0.29 lb)
Physical dimensions 121 x 70 x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 55 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.4 not tested
DXO Low light score 536 not tested
Other
Battery life 300 photos 250 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $182 $179