Olympus SH-50 vs Olympus XZ-1

Lets take a more detailed look at the Olympus SH-50 versus Olympus XZ-1, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are built by Olympus. There is a considerable difference between the image resolutions of the SH-50 (16MP) and XZ-1 (10MP) and the SH-50 (1/2.3") and XZ-1 (1/1.63") have different sensor measurements.

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The SH-50 was brought out 24 months later than the XZ-1 making them a generation apart from each other. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go into a thorough comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the SH-50 scores against the XZ-1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus SH-50 & Olympus XZ-1. The entire galleries are provided at Olympus SH-50 Gallery & Olympus XZ-1 Gallery.

For anyone who is intending to carry your camera, you'll need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SH-50 has got outside measurements of 112mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.7") and a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) while the Olympus XZ-1 has dimensions of 111mm x 65mm x 42mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7") along with a weight of 275 grams (0.61 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus SH-50 versus Olympus XZ-1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have attached during that time. Following is a front view size comparison of the SH-50 compared to the XZ-1.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the SH-50 and XZ-1 is 88 and 88 respectively.

In many cases, it is tough to visualize the gap between sensor sizing just by looking at specifications. The photograph underneath will provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SH-50 and XZ-1.

To sum up, each of these cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The SH-50 featuring a tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field harder and the Olympus SH-50 will resolve more detail having its extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images a bit more aggressively. The newer SH-50 provides a benefit in sensor technology.