Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic ZS1

Lets look a bit more closely at the Olympus SZ-10 and Panasonic ZS1, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a sizable gap between the resolutions of the SZ-10 (14MP) and ZS1 (10MP) and the SZ-10 (1/2.3") and ZS1 (1/2.5") provide totally different sensor measurements.

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The SZ-10 was announced 22 months after the ZS1 which makes them a generation away from one another. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple summation of how the SZ-10 matches up versus the ZS1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Below is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus SZ-10 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1. The whole galleries are viewable at Olympus SZ-10 Gallery & Panasonic ZS1 Gallery.

When you are looking to carry around your camera often, you will have to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-10 offers physical dimensions of 106mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.5") and a weight of 215 grams (0.47 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS1 has measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus SZ-10 and Panasonic ZS1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have at that time. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the SZ-10 versus the ZS1.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-10 and ZS1 is 90 and 91 respectively.

Typically, it is very hard to see the contrast between sensor sizes merely by going over specs. The pic here should offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-10 and ZS1.

As you can plainly see, both cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The SZ-10 using its bigger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF less difficult and the Olympus SZ-10 will offer greater detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will let you crop photographs way more aggressively. The more modern SZ-10 will have a benefit in sensor innovation.