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Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic FZ100

Portability
90
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36
Olympus SZ-10 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100 front
Portability
67
Imaging
37
Features
62
Overall
47

Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic FZ100 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-10
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-504mm (F3.1-4.4) lens
  • 215g - 106 x 67 x 38mm
  • Launched February 2011
Panasonic FZ100
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 540g - 124 x 82 x 92mm
  • Launched July 2010
  • Successor is Panasonic FZ200
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Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic FZ100 Overview

In this article, we are analyzing the Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic FZ100, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SZ-10 (14MP) and the FZ100 (14MP) is very comparable and they possess the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SZ-10 was released 7 months after the FZ100 so they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SZ-10 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic FZ100 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go through a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the SZ-10 matches up against the FZ100 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-10 over the Panasonic FZ100

 SZ-10 FZ100 
LaunchedFebruary 2011July 2010Newer by 7 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ100 over the Olympus SZ-10

 FZ100 SZ-10 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Olympus SZ-10 and Panasonic FZ100

 SZ-10 FZ100 
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurements
Display resolution460k460kSame display resolution
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic FZ100 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to travel with your camera regularly, you will want to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-10 offers physical measurements of 106mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 215 grams (0.47 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FZ100 has proportions of 124mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.6") along with a weight of 540 grams (1.19 lbs).

Look at the Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic FZ100 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are working with at that time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the SZ-10 against the FZ100.

Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic FZ100 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-10 and FZ100 is 90 and 67 respectively.

Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic FZ100 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic FZ100 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be difficult to picture the difference in sensor dimensions only by seeing technical specs. The picture underneath will provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-10 and FZ100.

As you have seen, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact resolution so you can expect comparable quality of photos though you will want to factor the launch date of the cameras into account. The newer SZ-10 provides a benefit in sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic FZ100 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic FZ100 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic FZ100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-10
Portrait photography with Panasonic FZ100
33
decent MP (14 megapixels)
features face detect focusing
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
54
you can focus manually
good megapixels (14MP)
supports face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-10 Street photography advice
Panasonic FZ100 Street photography advice
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (215 grams)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
58
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
more heavy than competitors (540g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-10 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FZ100 as a Sports photography camera
40
amazing zoom range (28-504mm 18.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
features tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (220 per charge)
does not have phase detect AF
51
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-10 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic FZ100 as a Travel photography camera
65
lighter than average in class (215g)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
long zoom (504mm)
no Time Lapse function
not so great battery pack (220 per charge)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
59
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
fairly wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
missing Timelapse recording
more heavy than competitors (540g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-10
Landscape photography with Panasonic FZ100
40
reasonably wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (14MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not available
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
not so great battery pack (220 CIPA)
no Time Lapse function
51
you can focus manually
fairly wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
delivers RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-10 Vlogging details
Panasonic FZ100 Vlogging details
31
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detect focusing
lighter than average in class (215g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic socket
64
fairly wide (25mm)
screen is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external microphone socket
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
more heavy than competitors (540 grams)
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Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic FZ100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-10 and Panasonic FZ100
 Olympus SZ-10Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SZ-10 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2011-02-08 2010-07-21
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic III+ Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4288 x 3216 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-504mm (18.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Max aperture f/3.1-4.4 f/2.8-5.2
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 11.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 7.10 m 9.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 215 gr (0.47 lb) 540 gr (1.19 lb)
Dimensions 106 x 67 x 38mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.5") 124 x 82 x 92mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 220 images -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $300 $500