Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic GH1

Below, we are comparing the Olympus SZ-30MR and Panasonic GH1, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Advanced Mirrorless by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a sizable gap among the sensor resolutions of the SZ-30MR (16MP) and GH1 (12MP) and the SZ-30MR (1/2.3") and GH1 (Four Thirds) use totally different sensor dimensions.

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The SZ-30MR was manufactured 20 months later than the GH1 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. The two cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SZ-30MR being a Compact camera and the Panasonic GH1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go through a in-depth comparison, below is a concise overview of how the SZ-30MR matches up versus the GH1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus SZ-30MR & Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1. The entire galleries are provided at Olympus SZ-30MR Gallery & Panasonic GH1 Gallery.

For those who are going to carry your camera, you're going to have to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-30MR has got external dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Panasonic GH1 has proportions of 124mm x 90mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 1.8") and a weight of 385 grams (0.85 lbs).

Check out the Olympus SZ-30MR and Panasonic GH1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are employing at the time. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the SZ-30MR vs the GH1.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-30MR and GH1 is 89 and 81 respectively.

Sometimes, it's hard to visualise the gap in sensor sizing only by researching specs. The visual below may give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-30MR and GH1.

As you can plainly see, both cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The SZ-30MR due to its smaller sensor will make shooting bokeh harder and the Olympus SZ-30MR will render more detail due to its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The more recent SZ-30MR will have an edge with regard to sensor technology.