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Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic SZ8

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
50
Overall
44
Olympus SZ-15 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic SZ8 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 SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Announced January 2014
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Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview

The following is a detailed analysis of the Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic SZ8, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SZ-15 (16MP) and the SZ8 (16MP) is fairly well matched and both cameras posses the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ-15 was released 6 months prior to the SZ8 which means that they are of a similar generation. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving straight to a complete comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the SZ-15 grades vs the SZ8 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-15 over the Panasonic SZ8

 SZ-15 SZ8 
Focus manually More precise focusing

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Olympus SZ-15

 SZ8 SZ-15 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-15 and Panasonic SZ8

 SZ-15 SZ8 
AnnouncedJune 2013January 2014Similar generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Display resolution460k460kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera often, you will want to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-15 features exterior dimensions of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") having a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ8 has dimensions of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic SZ8 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the SZ-15 vs the SZ8.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic SZ8 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-15 and SZ8 is 88 and 94 respectively.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic SZ8 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to picture the difference between sensor dimensions simply by reading through specifications. The pic here will give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-15 and SZ8.

Plainly, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the exact same resolution therefore you should expect similar quality of photos though you will need to factor the production date of the products into consideration.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic SZ8 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic SZ8 as a Portrait photography camera
44
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
features face detection focusing
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
35
good megapixels (16MP)
provides face detect focus
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Street photography highlights
Panasonic SZ8 Street photography highlights
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (250g)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (159 grams)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Sports photography features
Panasonic SZ8 Sports photography features
53
incredible zoom range (23-483mm 21.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery life (200 per charge)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Travel photography features
Panasonic SZ8 Travel photography features
68
lighter than others (250 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (23mm)
great reach (483mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
67
lighter than competition in class (159 grams)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
great zoom (288mm)
lack of Timelapse function
low battery life (200 CIPA)
does not feature selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-15
Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ8
49
manual focus
reasonably wide (23mm)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
42
relatively wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not available
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
low battery life (200 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Vlogging factors
Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging factors
34
reasonably wide (23mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (250g)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic support
32
relatively wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
lighter than competition in class (159g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not feature selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone port
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Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-15 and Panasonic SZ8
 Olympus SZ-15Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus SZ-15 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2013-06-21 2014-01-06
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Venus Engine
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 area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 1600
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 23-483mm (21.0x) 24-288mm (12.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.1-6.3
Macro focus range 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 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 seconds 8 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 10.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.50 m 5.20 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported 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 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format AVI MPEG4, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 250 grams (0.55 lb) 159 grams (0.35 lb)
Physical dimensions 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 200 pictures
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model SLB-10A -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $200 $275