Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic GH1
89 Imaging
37 Features
37 Overall
37


81 Imaging
49 Features
57 Overall
52
Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic GH1 Key Specs
(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
(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

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.

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.

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic GH1 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus SZ-11 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1. The entire galleries are provided at Olympus SZ-11 Gallery & Panasonic GH1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-11 over the Panasonic GH1
SZ-11 | GH1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | July 2011 | ![]() | July 2009 | More modern by 25 months |
Reasons to pick Panasonic GH1 over the Olympus SZ-11
GH1 | SZ-11 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More accurate focusing | ||
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Common features in the Olympus SZ-11 and Panasonic GH1
SZ-11 | GH1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical display measurements |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 460k | Identical 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 vs Panasonic GH1 Specifications
Olympus SZ-11 | Panasonic 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 |