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Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FH27

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
50
Overall
44
Olympus SZ-15 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH27 front
Portability
94
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FH27 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-15
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-483mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 250g - 108 x 70 x 40mm
  • Revealed June 2013
Panasonic FH27
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-224mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 152g - 99 x 57 x 28mm
  • Released January 2011
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Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FH27 Overview

Lets look closer at the Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FH27, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the SZ-15 (16MP) and the FH27 (16MP) is fairly well matched and they possess the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SZ-15 was released 2 years later than the FH27 and that is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going through a thorough comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the SZ-15 grades against the FH27 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-15 over the Panasonic FH27

 SZ-15 FH27 
ReleasedJune 2013January 2011More recent by 30 months
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH27 over the Olympus SZ-15

 FH27 SZ-15 
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus SZ-15 and Panasonic FH27

 SZ-15 FH27 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FH27 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to lug around your camera frequently, you need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-15 enjoys physical dimensions of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") and a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) and the Panasonic FH27 has dimensions of 99mm x 57mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.1") with a weight of 152 grams (0.34 lbs).

See the Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FH27 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have at that time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the SZ-15 compared to the FH27.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FH27 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-15 and FH27 is 88 and 94 respectively.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FH27 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FH27 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be hard to envision the contrast between sensor measurements just by looking at technical specs. The visual underneath might provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-15 and FH27.

As you have seen, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact megapixels therefore you should expect similar quality of pictures though you should always factor the release date of the products into consideration. The newer SZ-15 is going to have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FH27 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FH27 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FH27 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Portrait photography info
Panasonic FH27 Portrait photography info
44
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (16MP)
features face detection autofocus
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
34
good resolution (16MP)
offers face detect focus
lack of manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FH27 as a Street photography camera
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (250 grams)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes focus by touch
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Sports photography features
Panasonic FH27 Sports photography features
53
great zoom range (23-483mm 21.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
offers tracking focus
max fps low (4.0 fps)
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic FH27 Travel photography highlights
68
lighter than average (250 grams)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (23mm)
long zoom (483mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.8)
68
includes focus by touch
good resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse function
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-15
Landscape photography with Panasonic FH27
49
has manual focus
reasonably wide (23mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
43
relatively wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
no manual control
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
missing Timelapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FH27 as a Vlogging camera
34
reasonably wide (23mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average (250g)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external mic socket
32
relatively wide (28mm)
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone port
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Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FH27 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-15 and Panasonic FH27
 Olympus SZ-15Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH27
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SZ-15 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH27
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2013-06-21 2011-01-05
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Venus Engine VI
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 23-483mm (21.0x) 28-224mm (8.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech LCD TFT Touch Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames/s 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 5.80 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288) 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format AVI MPEG4, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 250 gr (0.55 lbs) 152 gr (0.34 lbs)
Dimensions 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") 99 x 57 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.1")
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 - 250 shots
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID SLB-10A -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $200 $229