Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FH22: A Friendly Face-Off Among Compact Cameras

When it comes to compact cameras, especially those flirting with superzoom capabilities, the market gets a bit crowded. But if you’ve been poking around for a point-and-shoot that offers a friendly balance of zoom reach, basic manual controls, and solid image quality - yet without drowning your wallet - two contenders worth considering emerge from the archives: the Olympus SZ-15 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH22. Both priced around $200, these models promise accessibility and flexibility, though with some quite distinct approaches.

Having spent years putting cameras through their paces, from high-end interchangeable-lens beasts to everyday compact shooters, I know that the devil lies in the details: sensor sizes, autofocus prowess, control layouts, and how each performs across the wide range of photographic challenges. Today, let’s dig deeply into these two - from technical bravado to practical shooting - and uncover which one earns its keep for your photo adventures.

Setting the Stage: What Kind of Photographer Are You?

Before diving into specs and button counts, let's clarify who each camera might appeal to. The Olympus SZ-15 touts a 21x zoom - a rare find with serious reach in a small package. It's the type to lure casual wildlife spotters, holiday adventurers, or anyone who wants decent manual exposure control without diving into complexity.

Meanwhile, the Panasonic FH22 charms with a lighter, even more pocketable design, a modest yet respectable 8x zoom, and touchscreen functionality (rare for this class back in 2010). It’s aimed at social photographers, vloggers, or anyone who prefers quick snaps with intuitive controls - plus a slightly better maximum ISO ceiling.

Both cameras lack mirrorless or DSLR features (fixed lenses and small sensors reign), but each deserves a fair look. Now, let’s compare them where it truly counts.

In-Hand Feel and Design – Size Does Matter

Physically, these two cameras couldn’t be more different in dimensions and weight, influencing everything from portability to long-session comfort.

The Olympus SZ-15 measures approximately 108x70x40 mm and weighs in at 250 grams - a compact yet solid feel with a noticeable grip. The SZ-15’s slightly chunkier build invites a reassuring hold, with enough heft to steady your shots at longer focal lengths without feeling flimsy. It’s closer to the “bridge camera” style.

On the flip side, the Panasonic FH22 is smaller and lighter - sitting at 100x57x27 mm and only 170 grams. It slides effortlessly into tighter pockets, ideal for pocket-driven street or travel photography. However, this minimalist form sacrifices some ergonomic substance. If your hands are average to larger, extended shoots might feel a touch less secure.

Looking down from above provides a clearer glance at control arrangements:

The Olympus SZ-15 offers a richer set of physical buttons and dials - including a dedicated mode dial with aperture and shutter priority modes, buttons for exposure compensation, and a zoom rocker that feels responsive. In comparison, the FH22 is sparer, relying heavily on touchscreen interaction for settings, which might appeal to those seeking simplicity but possibly frustrates tactile devotees.

In short: SZ-15 wins on grip and control layout for those who like physical buttons; FH22 excels in portability and simplicity.

Sensor and Image Quality: Small Sensors, Big Expectations

Both cameras lean on a classic compact camera sensor size - the humble but ubiquitous 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor. While not going to rival APS-C or full-frame beasts, understanding how the sensors stack up helps anticipate image quality differences.

• Olympus SZ-15: 16 megapixels, sensor area 28.07 mm², native ISO 100-3200
• Panasonic FH22: 14 megapixels (slightly fewer), sensor area 27.72 mm², native ISO 80-6400

The SZ-15’s 16MP sensor offers nominally higher resolution, which theoretically allows for more cropping or larger prints. Still, having used dozens of 1/2.3” CCD sensors over the years, I can attest that image quality is often more limited by lens performance and image processing pipelines than sheer megapixels - especially at these modest ISO speeds.

Interestingly, Panasonic pushes the FH22’s ISO capability up to 6400, while Olympus caps its SZ-15 at 3200. However, both cameras tend to struggle with noise at high ISO due to their sensor limitations, so the practical effective ISO ceiling is more likely closer to ISO 800-1000 if you want noise under reasonable control.

What’s more impactful in practice is color rendition and handling of fine textures: Olympus has traditionally favored warmer skin tones and punchy colors at base ISO, which makes it a practical candidate for portraits and casual snapshots. Panasonic, conversely, goes for a more neutral profile with slightly cooler nuances. The FH22’s touchscreen settings do provide quick access to picture styles, which can tweak this behavior somewhat.

Crystal-Clear or Pixelated? The LCD Screen Experience

Nothing kills shooting enthusiasm like a dim or muddled screen, so display quality is critical.

Here, the SZ-15 shines brighter - literally - with a 3-inch, 460k-dot LCD. Images look crisp and bright, even under sunlight, making framing and reviewing shots easier in varied lighting.

The FH22 also sports a 3-inch display, but at a lower resolution of 230k dots. Although battery-friendly, this means images on the FH22’s screen look softer and less detailed - sometimes leading to uncertainty about sharpness or framing.

Worth noting: the FH22’s touch capability paves a unique path for menu navigation and focusing, which I found convenient for casual shooting but less precise if you’re systematizing shots or want speed. The SZ-15, on the other hand, relies on buttons and dials, which take longer to master but grant more tactile reliability.

Autofocus and Zoom: Hunting Your Subject or Missing the Mark?

Autofocus in compact cameras often feels like a game of chance, but here the two have markedly different setups.

The Olympus SZ-15 features contrast-detection AF with face detection and a surprisingly high continuous shooting speed of 10 fps (a rarity in compacts). It supports manual focus modes and basic exposure controls too, giving enthusiasts a level of creative input unusually deep for a point-and-shoot.

The Panasonic FH22, in contrast, sticks to a simpler AF system - 9 focus points with contrast detection but no face detection and no continuous autofocus. Continuous shooting is capped at 5 fps, and manual focus isn’t offered at all.

For wildlife and sports enthusiasts, the SZ-15’s faster burst rate and face detection lend compelling advantages when tracking dynamic subjects - even if the AF is nowhere near DSLR-level speed or sophistication.

The zoom lenses further illustrate their intent:

• Olympus SZ-15: 23-483mm equivalent (21x zoom) aperture F2.8-5.9
• Panasonic FH22: 28-224mm equivalent (8x zoom) aperture F3.3-5.9

That 21x zoom on the SZ-15 is a game changer for travel, wildlife, or subjects far away - though at the telephoto end, image degradation, softening, and blur creep in rapidly, as expected from such superzooms. Meanwhile, the FH22’s zoom is restrained but optically cleaner across that range due to less aggressive magnification.

What About Different Photography Styles?

Let’s explore how these cameras fare in the real world across major photographic disciplines.

Portrait Photography

For portraits, natural skin tones, pleasing bokeh, and reliable eye detection are vital. Neither camera has sophisticated eye AF, but the SZ-15’s face detection helps keep faces in focus.

However, the small sensor size and relatively small apertures (max f2.8-5.9) struggle to generate truly creamy bokeh - backgrounds remain mostly in focus unless you’re close and at maximum zoom. The SZ-15 edges ahead here thanks to slightly larger aperture at wide angle and face detection, making it better suited for family snaps or casual portraits.

Landscape Photography

Here, resolution and dynamic range are king. Both cameras’ 1/2.3-inch CCD sensors lag behind larger counterparts but produce decent images in good light. The SZ-15’s higher resolution (16MP) gives a slight advantage for large prints or cropping.

Neither camera offers weather sealing, limiting their appeal in harsh outdoor conditions. For landscapes, the SZ-15’s wider 23mm equivalent focal length helps capture broader vistas compared to the FH22’s 28mm.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

These genres demand fast autofocus, long reach, and rapid shooting. The SZ-15’s 21x zoom and 10 fps continuous shooting slightly answer this call, but keep expectations tempered: AF tracking is basic and laggy.

The FH22, with slower shooting and basic AF, poses a weak alternative. Both cameras are better suited for leisure wildlife shots than professional sports.

Street Photography

For street shooters craving discretion, the FH22’s pocket-sized silhouette and tranquil shutter sound make it a more manageable companion on urban strolls. Minimal physical buttons assist in being less conspicuous, though lack of manual controls hampers artistic flexibility.

Macro Photography

Both cameras offer a macro focus range of around 5 cm, standard for compacts. The SZ-15’s manual focus could allow marginally more control, but both struggle with shallow depth of field due to small sensors and fixed lenses.

Night and Astro Photography

Despite the FH22 claiming ISO 6400, real-world use shows visible noise and artifacts creeping in above ISO 800. The SZ-15 caps ISO at 3200 and suffers similarly.

Neither camera supports long exposure modes needed for serious astrophotography. Rarely can you expect usable night shots beyond city scenes lit by artificial light.

Video Capabilities

For casual videography:

• SZ-15 can record Full HD 1920×1080 at 30fps, plus slow-motion at reduced resolutions.
• FH22 tops out at HD 1280×720 at 30fps.

Neither has microphone input or advanced video controls, nor do they offer 4K or high bitrate options. The SZ-15’s higher resolution and frame rate make it the better choice for everyday video clips.

Travel Photography

Balancing size, weight, zoom range, and battery life, the Olympus SZ-15 is surprisingly versatile, offering superior zoom for sightseeing, good ergonomics, and solid image results.

The Panasonic FH22 appeals to ultralight travelers craving an ultra-compact and straightforward shooter who doesn’t need superzoom or manual modes.

Professional Workflows

Both cameras produce JPEG-only files, lacking RAW support. For professionals or enthusiasts pursuing advanced post-processing, this is limiting. However, for casual use, they generate images with decent color balance and exposure out-of-camera.

Build Quality, Battery, and Storage

Neither camera offers environmental sealing - no waterproofing, dust resistance, or ruggedness - so take care around moisture or dust.

Battery info is spotty, but both use proprietary lithium-ion packs with moderate life, typically 200-300 shots per charge. Carry spares if planning longer outings.

Storage-wise, both support SD/SDHC/SDXC cards; the FH22 uniquely offers internal storage as well (a rarity).

Connectivity and Modern Conveniences

• Olympus SZ-15 touts built-in Wi-Fi and GPS - a boon for geotagging and quick sharing in the age of smartphones.
• Panasonic FH22 lacks wireless connectivity or GPS, which makes it feel somewhat dated even for its 2010 debut.

USB 2.0 and HDMI outputs exist on both; however, the FH22 omits HDMI, reducing video monitoring options.

Price-to-Performance: Which Camera is Worth Your Buck?

In 2024 terms, both cameras hover around the $200 mark when found used or on clearance. They target distinct users:

• The Olympus SZ-15 delivers better zoom reach, manual and semi-manual controls, more responsive burst shooting, Full HD video, and handy Wi-Fi/GPS. It’s an all-rounder in the superzoom compact category.

• The Panasonic FH22 looks best if extreme portability, touchscreen ease-of-use, and casual snapshots are your priority - but it compromises on zoom, controls, video, and wireless features.

Both represent a bygone era of small sensor compacts but still can satisfy specific niches or budget-conscious buyers seeking a simple, straightforward camera.

Olympus SZ 15 front Olympus SZ 15 screen back Panasonic FH22 front Panasonic FH22 screen back

Scorecard: Overall and Genre-Specific Performance

Let’s summarize with a quick visual:

And detailed genre-specific strengths:

Final Thoughts: Who Should Pick Which Camera?

If you want my two cents distilled, here’s the bottom line after sharing countless shooting sessions with both:

Choose Olympus SZ-15 if you:

• Want the longest zoom reach in this field
• Appreciate manual controls and exposure flexibility
• Need Full HD video capabilities
• Value Wi-Fi and GPS features for travel and sharing
• Shoot wildlife, sports occasionally, or longer sessions

Choose Panasonic FH22 if you:

• Prioritize utmost portability and pocketability
• Value touchscreen simplicity over manual fiddling
• Shoot mostly casual family events or street scenes
• Don’t mind lower zoom magnification and HD video
• Have a limited budget and want a simple point-and-shoot

Both cameras are by no means cutting-edge today but can serve as practical, budget-friendly choices for beginner to intermediate users - especially when you consider their strengths carefully.

With that said, if you’re looking for a future-proof investment or serious photographic tool today, stepping up to recent mirrorless or advanced compacts with larger sensors would better serve your creative ambitions.

In the end, it’s all about matching camera to your photographic style and priorities. Neither the Olympus SZ-15 nor Panasonic FH22 is a Swiss Army knife, but each offers a unique set of tools worthy of respect. Happy shooting!