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Olympus SH-50 vs Panasonic SZ8

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
48
Overall
43
Olympus SH-50 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36

Olympus SH-50 vs Panasonic SZ8 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
  • Launched January 2013
Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Introduced January 2014
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Olympus SH-50 vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview

In this article, we are matching up the Olympus SH-50 and Panasonic SZ8, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the SH-50 (16MP) and the SZ8 (16MP) is fairly close and they come with the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SH-50 was unveiled 12 months prior to the SZ8 so they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the SH-50 grades against the SZ8 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SH-50 over the Panasonic SZ8

 SH-50 SZ8 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Olympus SH-50

 SZ8 SH-50 
IntroducedJanuary 2014January 2013Newer by 12 months

Common features in the Olympus SH-50 and Panasonic SZ8

 SH-50 SZ8 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Display resolution460k460kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Olympus SH-50 vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison

If you are going to travel with your camera, you'll have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus SH-50 enjoys outer dimensions of 112mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.7") with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ8 has measurements of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Check the Olympus SH-50 and Panasonic SZ8 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the SH-50 against the SZ8.

Olympus SH-50 vs Panasonic SZ8 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SH-50 and SZ8 is 88 and 94 respectively.

Olympus SH-50 vs Panasonic SZ8 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SH-50 vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is tough to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions simply by researching specs. The picture underneath will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SH-50 and SZ8.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same megapixels so you can expect comparable quality of photographs although you should really consider the age of the cameras into account. The more aged SH-50 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus SH-50 vs Panasonic SZ8 sensor size comparison

Olympus SH-50 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SH-50 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SH-50 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography highlights
44
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
provides face detection focus
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
35
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
features face detect focus
no manual focus
manual mode not available
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SH-50
Street photography with Panasonic SZ8
64
image stabilization (Optical)
features focus by touch
lighter than competitors (269 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (159 grams)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SH-50 Sports photography details
Panasonic SZ8 Sports photography details
48
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
no shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
34
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
max frames per second low (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery (200 shots)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SH-50
Travel photography with Panasonic SZ8
69
lighter than competitors (269g)
features focus by touch
megapixel count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
no Timelapse function
does not have a selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.0)
67
lighter than others (159g)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
very long zoom (288mm)
missing Timelapse recording
bad battery (200 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SH-50
Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ8
49
has manual focus
rather wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
no Timelapse function
42
rather wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not available
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
bad battery (200 shots)
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SH-50 Vlogging factors
Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging factors
34
rather wide (25mm)
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors (269 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
no external microphone socket
32
rather wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focus
lighter than others (159 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone port
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Olympus SH-50 vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SH-50 and Panasonic SZ8
 Olympus SH-50Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus SH-50 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2013-01-08 2014-01-06
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VI Venus Engine
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor 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
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 1600
Maximum boosted ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 125 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-288mm (12.0x)
Max aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.1-6.3
Macro focus range 5cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 8 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 12.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.00 m 5.20 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported 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 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 269g (0.59 pounds) 159g (0.35 pounds)
Dimensions 112 x 63 x 42mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.7") 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1")
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 - 200 pictures
Form 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 feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch price $300 $275