Olympus SH-50 vs Panasonic ZS7

The following is a detailed analysis of the Olympus SH-50 and Panasonic ZS7, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a considerable gap among the resolutions of the SH-50 (16MP) and ZS7 (12MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SH-50 was manufactured 18 months after the ZS7 which makes them a generation away from one another. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting right into a complete comparison, here is a short summary of how the SH-50 scores versus the ZS7 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus SH-50 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7. The entire galleries are viewable at Olympus SH-50 Gallery & Panasonic ZS7 Gallery.

For anyone who is looking to travel with your camera, you should factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus SH-50 offers outside dimensions of 112mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.7") with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS7 has sizing of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus SH-50 and Panasonic ZS7 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you use at the time. The following is a front view size comparison of the SH-50 versus the ZS7.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SH-50 and ZS7 is 88 and 91 respectively.

Typically, it's difficult to picture the gap in sensor dimensions just by going through technical specs. The pic underneath will help give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SH-50 and ZS7.

As you have seen, both of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You can count on the Olympus SH-50 to show extra detail due to its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more recent SH-50 provides a benefit in sensor innovation.