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Olympus SH-50 vs Panasonic LZ20

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
48
Overall
43
Olympus SH-50 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20 front
Portability
71
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37

Olympus SH-50 vs Panasonic LZ20 Key Specs

Olympus SH-50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 269g - 112 x 63 x 42mm
  • Revealed January 2013
Panasonic LZ20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-525mm (F3.1-5.8) lens
  • 499g - 120 x 76 x 80mm
  • Released July 2012
  • Successor is Panasonic LZ30
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Olympus SH-50 vs Panasonic LZ20 Overview

Following is a comprehensive assessment of the Olympus SH-50 and Panasonic LZ20, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SH-50 (16MP) and the LZ20 (16MP) is relatively similar and they feature the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SH-50 was manufactured 6 months after the LZ20 so they are of a similar age. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SH-50 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic LZ20 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the SH-50 grades versus the LZ20 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SH-50 over the Panasonic LZ20

 SH-50 LZ20 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ20 over the Olympus SH-50

 LZ20 SH-50 

Common features in the Olympus SH-50 and Panasonic LZ20

 SH-50 LZ20 
ReleasedJanuary 2013July 2012Similar age
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen sizing
Screen resolution460k460kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Olympus SH-50 vs Panasonic LZ20 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry around your camera regularly, you'll need to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus SH-50 offers external dimensions of 112mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) and the Panasonic LZ20 has measurements of 120mm x 76mm x 80mm (4.7" x 3.0" x 3.1") with a weight of 499 grams (1.10 lbs).

Check the Olympus SH-50 and Panasonic LZ20 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. Underneath is the front view over all size comparison of the SH-50 against the LZ20.

Olympus SH-50 vs Panasonic LZ20 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SH-50 and LZ20 is 88 and 71 respectively.

Olympus SH-50 vs Panasonic LZ20 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SH-50 vs Panasonic LZ20 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be difficult to visualize the gap between sensor sizes purely by going over specifications. The pic here may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SH-50 and LZ20.

Plainly, both of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the same MP so you can expect similar quality of images however you need to factor the age of the products into consideration.

Olympus SH-50 vs Panasonic LZ20 sensor size comparison

Olympus SH-50 vs Panasonic LZ20 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SH-50 vs Panasonic LZ20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SH-50 Portrait photography info
Panasonic LZ20 Portrait photography info
44
manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
comes with face detect focusing
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
36
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
supports face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus SH-50 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic LZ20 as a Street photography camera
64
image stabilization (Optical)
provides focus by touch
lighter than competition (269 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
45
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
heavier than competitors (499g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SH-50 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic LZ20 as a Sports photography camera
48
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
47
amazing zoom range (25-525mm 21.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
supports tracking focus
good battery (380 per charge)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SH-50 Travel photography info
Panasonic LZ20 Travel photography info
69
lighter than competition (269g)
provides focus by touch
good MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
does not have selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
58
good battery (380 CIPA)
decent megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
very long zoom (525mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
heavier than competitors (499 grams)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SH-50 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic LZ20 Landscape photography factors
49
manual focus
relatively wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse function
45
rather wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
good battery (380 shots)
focusing manually not possible
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SH-50 Vlogging details
Panasonic LZ20 Vlogging details
34
relatively wide (25mm)
touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (269 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
does not have selfie friendly display
doesn't have microphone jack
25
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic jack
heavier than competitors (499 grams)
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Olympus SH-50 vs Panasonic LZ20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SH-50 and Panasonic LZ20
 Olympus SH-50Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus SH-50 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2013-01-08 2012-07-18
Body design Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VI -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 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
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 1600
Max boosted ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 125 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-525mm (21.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.1-5.8
Macro focus distance 5cm 2cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology - TFT Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 15 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 12.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.00 m 6.80 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288) 1280 x 720p ( 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic 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 None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 269 grams (0.59 pounds) 499 grams (1.10 pounds)
Dimensions 112 x 63 x 42mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.7") 120 x 76 x 80mm (4.7" x 3.0" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 380 images
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model SLB-10A -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, Pet Auto Shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $300 $250