Olympus SH-50 vs Panasonic ZS45

Lets look a bit more closely at the Olympus SH-50 and Panasonic ZS45, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the SH-50 (16MP) and the ZS45 (16MP) is pretty similar and they feature the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SH-50 was revealed 24 months prior to the ZS45 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going straight into a full comparison, below is a brief summary of how the SH-50 grades vs the ZS45 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Following is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus SH-50 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45. The full galleries are viewable at Olympus SH-50 Gallery and Panasonic ZS45 Gallery.

For anyone who is intending to lug around your camera, you will want to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SH-50 provides physical 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) while the Panasonic ZS45 has dimensions of 108mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus SH-50 and Panasonic ZS45 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the SH-50 versus the ZS45.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SH-50 and ZS45 is 88 and 91 respectively.

Quite often, it is very hard to visualise the difference between sensor measurements merely by reading technical specs. The graphic here will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SH-50 and ZS45.

As you have seen, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the identical resolution and you should expect similar quality of images although you need to consider the production date of the products into consideration. The older SH-50 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.