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Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic ZR1

Portability
90
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36
Olympus SZ-10 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic ZR1 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 ZR1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 158g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Introduced July 2009
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-ZX1
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Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic ZR1 Overview

Following is a comprehensive analysis of the Olympus SZ-10 versus Panasonic ZR1, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the SZ-10 (14MP) and the ZR1 (12MP) is pretty comparable and they possess the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SZ-10 was unveiled 19 months after the ZR1 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the SZ-10 matches up against the ZR1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-10 over the Panasonic ZR1

 SZ-10 ZR1 
IntroducedFebruary 2011July 2009More modern by 19 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR1 over the Olympus SZ-10

 ZR1 SZ-10 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-10 and Panasonic ZR1

 SZ-10 ZR1 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic ZR1 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry around your camera frequently, you are going to need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-10 offers outside measurements of 106mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.5") along with a weight of 215 grams (0.47 lbs) while the Panasonic ZR1 has measurements of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") with a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus SZ-10 versus Panasonic ZR1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are using at that time. Below is the front view size comparison of the SZ-10 against the ZR1.

Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic ZR1 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ-10 and ZR1 is 90 and 94 respectively.

Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic ZR1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic ZR1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor sizes just by going through a spec sheet. The image underneath will help offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-10 and ZR1.

As you can see, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You should expect the Olympus SZ-10 to provide greater detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots far more aggressively. The more recent SZ-10 provides an edge in sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic ZR1 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic ZR1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic ZR1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-10 Portrait photography features
Panasonic ZR1 Portrait photography features
33
resolution is good (14MP)
has face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
no manual control
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
21
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SZ-10
Street photography with Panasonic ZR1
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average (215 grams)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
56
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SZ-10
Sports photography with Panasonic ZR1
40
long zoom range (28-504mm 18.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (220 shots)
lacks phase detect autofocus
25
image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-10 Travel photography factors
Panasonic ZR1 Travel photography factors
65
lighter than average (215g)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
very long zoom (504mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
terrible battery pack (220 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
57
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
no Time Lapse mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-10 Landscape photography details
Panasonic ZR1 Landscape photography details
40
fairly wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
terrible battery pack (220 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse recording
32
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-10 Vlogging information
Panasonic ZR1 Vlogging information
31
fairly wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detection autofocus
lighter than average (215g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic port
28
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic port
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Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic ZR1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-10 and Panasonic ZR1
 Olympus SZ-10Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SZ-10 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
Also called - Lumix DMC-ZX1
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2011-02-08 2009-07-27
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III+ Venus Engine V
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-504mm (18.0x) 25-200mm (8.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-4.4 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 7.10 m 5.10 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance 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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 215 gr (0.47 lb) 158 gr (0.35 lb)
Dimensions 106 x 67 x 38mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.5") 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0")
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 photos -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $300 $280