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Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FH8

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
50
Overall
44
Olympus SZ-15 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
32
Overall
36

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FH8 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
  • Launched June 2013
Panasonic FH8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-6.4) lens
  • 123g - 96 x 57 x 19mm
  • Introduced January 2012
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Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FH8 Overview

Here is a in-depth overview of the Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FH8, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SZ-15 (16MP) and the FH8 (16MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras provide the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SZ-15 was unveiled 18 months later than the FH8 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a thorough comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the SZ-15 scores vs the FH8 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-15 over the Panasonic FH8

 SZ-15 FH8 
IntroducedJune 2013January 2012Fresher by 18 months
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH8 over the Olympus SZ-15

 FH8 SZ-15 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-15 and Panasonic FH8

 SZ-15 FH8 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FH8 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry your camera regularly, you will want to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-15 features external 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 FH8 has measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") having a weight of 123 grams (0.27 lbs).

See the Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FH8 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you choose at that moment. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the SZ-15 vs the FH8.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FH8 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-15 and FH8 is 88 and 96 respectively.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FH8 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FH8 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very hard to envision the difference in sensor sizing merely by going through technical specs. The visual below will provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-15 and FH8.

As you have seen, both cameras come with the identical sensor size and the same exact MP so you should expect comparable quality of pictures although you really should factor the release date of the cameras into account. The younger SZ-15 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FH8 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FH8 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FH8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-15
Portrait photography with Panasonic FH8
44
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
has face detection autofocus
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
34
good resolution (16 megapixels)
includes face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FH8 as a Street photography camera
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (250 grams)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (123 grams)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Sports photography details
Panasonic FH8 Sports photography details
53
incredible zoom range (23-483mm 21.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
40
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic FH8 Travel photography highlights
68
lighter than others (250g)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (23mm)
great reach (483mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
does not contain selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.8)
69
lighter than competition (123g)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic FH8 as a Landscape photography camera
49
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (23mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
43
fairly wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.5)
lack of manual exposure
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic FH8 Vlogging highlights
34
reasonably wide (23mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others (250 grams)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external mic jack
33
fairly wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focusing
lighter than competition (123g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.5)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic port
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Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FH8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-15 and Panasonic FH8
 Olympus SZ-15Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SZ-15 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2013-06-21 2012-01-09
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 23
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 23-483mm (21.0x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/2.5-6.4
Macro focusing distance 5cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8s 8s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 5.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format AVI MPEG4, Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic 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 grams (0.55 pounds) 123 grams (0.27 pounds)
Physical dimensions 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7")
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 - 260 images
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID SLB-10A -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release $200 $149