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Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic GH1

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
37
Overall
37
Olympus SZ-11 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 front
Portability
81
Imaging
49
Features
57
Overall
52

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic GH1 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-11
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
  • Released July 2011
Panasonic GH1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 3200)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 385g - 124 x 90 x 45mm
  • Announced July 2009
  • Newer Model is Panasonic GH2
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Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic GH1 Overview

Below, we are reviewing the Olympus SZ-11 and Panasonic GH1, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Advanced Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SZ-11 (14MP) and the GH1 (12MP) is fairly well matched but the SZ-11 (1/2.3") and GH1 (Four Thirds) possess different sensor measurements.

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The SZ-11 was brought out 2 years after the GH1 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SZ-11 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic GH1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving through a more detailed comparison, below is a concise summary of how the SZ-11 grades versus the GH1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-11 over the Panasonic GH1

 SZ-11 GH1 
AnnouncedJuly 2011July 2009More modern by 25 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic GH1 over the Olympus SZ-11

 GH1 SZ-11 
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Olympus SZ-11 and Panasonic GH1

 SZ-11 GH1 
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurements
Display resolution460k460kIdentical display resolution
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic GH1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry around your camera, you should take into account its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-11 features outside measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") having a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Panasonic GH1 has specifications of 124mm x 90mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 1.8") having a weight of 385 grams (0.85 lbs).

Look at the Olympus SZ-11 and Panasonic GH1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilising at that time. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the SZ-11 vs the GH1.

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic GH1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-11 and GH1 is 89 and 81 respectively.

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic GH1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic GH1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is tough to visualize the difference between sensor sizes only by reading through specs. The picture below should give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-11 and GH1.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The SZ-11 featuring a tinier sensor is going to make getting bokeh harder and the Olympus SZ-11 will give you extra detail having its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics much more aggressively. The more modern SZ-11 provides an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic GH1 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic GH1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic GH1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic GH1 Portrait photography factors
33
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
features face detection focus
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
59
you can focus manually
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SZ-11
Street photography with Panasonic GH1
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (226g)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
72
fully articulated screen
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic GH1 as a Sports photography camera
43
incredible zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
features tracking autofocus
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery power (200 CIPA)
no phase detect auto focus
32
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
terrible battery (320 shots)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Travel photography advice
Panasonic GH1 Travel photography advice
65
lighter than competition in class (226g)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long reach (500mm)
missing Timelapse mode
bad battery power (200 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
58
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
terrible battery (320 CIPA)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic GH1 as a Landscape photography camera
40
reasonably wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
manual focus not available
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not available
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
bad battery power (200 shots)
missing Timelapse mode
55
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
terrible battery (320 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic GH1 Vlogging highlights
31
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection focus
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone socket
72
selfie friendly display
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with mic jack
does not have image stabilization
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Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic GH1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-11 and Panasonic GH1
 Olympus SZ-11Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus SZ-11 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced Mirrorless
Released 2011-07-27 2009-07-10
Body design Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III+ Venus Engine HD
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 18.89 x 14.48mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 273.5mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Max boosted ISO - 3200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens focal range 25-500mm (20.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.0-6.9 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Total lenses - 107
Crop factor 5.8 1.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 7.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 9.30 m (@ ISO 1600) 10.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported 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 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226g (0.50 lb) 385g (0.85 lb)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 124 x 90 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 1.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 64
DXO Color Depth score not tested 21.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.6
DXO Low light score not tested 772
Other
Battery life 200 images 320 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $253 $949