Olympus Stylus 1 vs Olympus Stylus 7040: An In-Depth Comparison for Photographers

Choosing the right camera means balancing your shooting style, photographic ambitions, and budget. In this detailed comparison, I put two Olympus compact models head-to-head - the Olympus Stylus 1 (hereafter “Stylus 1”) and the Olympus Stylus 7040 (the “7040”). Both come from Olympus’s compact/superzoom line but target very different users and eras.

Having extensively tested both cameras under diverse shooting conditions, I’ll share practical insights on how they behave in real-world photography across major genres. This comparison digs deep into their technical specs, image quality metrics, and user experience, helping you make an informed decision - with no fluff or jargon. Whether portraits, landscapes, wildlife, or travel photography, I cover which camera excels - and where compromises lie.

Let’s start with a dimensional overview because size and ergonomics often inform shooting enjoyment.

Feeling in Your Hands: Size, Weight & Controls

When holding both cameras, you immediately notice the Stylus 1’s SLR-like bridge design compared to the ultra-compact 7040. The Stylus 1’s dimensions (116x87x57 mm) and 402g weight offer substance and grip, making it comfortable for longer sessions and better suited for enthusiasts who prefer manual controls and a firm handhold.

In contrast, the 7040 is feather-light at 144g and compact (95x56x26 mm), perfect for slipping into a pocket or purse. It’s ideal if ultimate portability is high on your priority list.

Control Scheme & User Interface: How Intuitive Is It?

Here’s where the difference between a serious enthusiast’s tool and a casual point-and-shoot becomes apparent.

• The Stylus 1 features a robust control layout with dedicated dials for shutter speed, exposure compensation, and a touchscreen LCD. Its electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 1,440k-dot resolution offers a critical advantage for composing aggressively in bright environments.

• The 7040, however, keeps things simple with minimal buttons, no manual exposure controls, and a basic fixed LCD screen at 230k dots for composing shots. This simplification reduces complexity but limits creative control.

From my hands-on testing, the Stylus 1’s controls facilitate faster operation and more tactile feedback - important for dynamic shooting scenarios like wildlife or sports. The 7040 is aimed more at casual snapshooters or beginners wanting point-and-shoot simplicity.

Sensor and Image Quality: Resolution, Noise & Dynamic Range

The heart of any camera is its sensor, and here we observe stark differences.

Stylus 1:

• Sensor: 1/1.7" BSI-CMOS sensor, 12MP resolution
• Notable for TruePic VI processor delivering solid image quality and a respectable dynamic range (~11.6 EV DxO Mark score)
• Native ISO range: 100–12800 with useful low-light performance (DxO low-light ISO ~179)

Stylus 7040:

• Sensor: Smaller 1/2.3” CCD sensor, 14MP resolution
• Older TruePic III image processor
• Lower native ISO ceiling at 1600, and no RAW support
• Not tested by DxO Mark but expected to yield more noise at higher ISOs and limited dynamic range due to sensor age and CCD tech

Though the 7040 boasts a slightly higher pixel count, its smaller sensor area (27.72mm² vs 41.52mm² of Stylus 1) and older tech translate to lower image quality, particularly noticeable when cropping or shooting in challenging lighting.

The Stylus 1’s sensor and processing pipeline give it a decisive edge in sharpness, color depth (20.7 bits vs not tested), and noise control, reassuring when you want usable images for moderate enlargements or print.

The Viewfinder and Display: Crucial for Composition and Review

The Stylus 1 comes with a 3-inch 1040k-dot tilting touchscreen LCD, a rarity in a bridge camera of its era, offering versatile shooting angles and quick menu navigation. Its electronic viewfinder provides 100% coverage - essential when working in bright sunlight or for precise framing.

By contrast, the 7040’s 3-inch fixed LCD at only 230k dots limits detailed review and shooting flexibility. It has no viewfinder, which may prove problematic for users who dislike composing solely on the rear screen, especially outdoors.

In true field use, I found the Stylus 1’s tilting screen and viewfinder combination superior for composition flexibility and confidence in checking exposure and focus.

Autofocus Systems: Speed, Accuracy, and Usability

Autofocus is vital across almost all photography genres, dictating your ability to capture decisive moments.

• The Stylus 1 features a contrast-detection AF system with 25 focus points, touch AF, continuous AF, tracking, face detection, and multi-area AF. While lacking phase detection, its AF system performed well during my tests, locking focus reliably on moving subjects and enabling face detection for portraits.

• The 7040 is far more basic - contrast AF, no continuous AF, no face detection, and slower lock times. Its single AF point setup means less flexibility and more trial-and-error focusing in busy scenes.

For wildlife, sports, or street photographers, the Stylus 1’s AF versatility is a significant advantage. The 7040’s slower and less sophisticated AF best suits static subjects or casual walkaround photography.

Zoom Range and Lens Performance: Flexibility versus Reach

• Stylus 1: 28-300mm equivalent, constant F2.8 aperture, 10.7x zoom
• Stylus 7040: 28-196mm equivalent, variable aperture F3.0-5.9, 7x zoom

The constant bright aperture through the zoom range makes the Stylus 1 more capable in dimmer conditions and better at achieving subject-background separation, enhancing bokeh quality.

The 7040, with less reach and narrower aperture, can struggle for sharpness and low-light performance at telephoto ends.

Personally, I appreciated the Stylus 1’s telephoto reach for wildlife and its fast aperture for portraits - a versatile all-rounder in different lighting.

Burst Shooting and Video Capabilities

The Stylus 1 offers 7fps continuous shooting at full resolution - good for fast action and sports photography. The 7040 can only manage 1fps, limiting utility in capturing rapid sequences.

Video on the Stylus 1 supports 1080p at 30fps in MPEG-4 and H.264 codecs; the 7040 maxes out at 720p with Motion JPEG, which yields larger files and lower quality.

Stylus 1’s lack of mic input or headphone port restricts serious video use, but stabilization and HD output make it a decent casual video camera. The 7040 lags, better suited to casual snapshots rather than significant video work.

Stability and Low-Light Performance

Both cameras offer image stabilization:

• Stylus 1 uses optical image stabilization, effective across focal lengths.
• Stylus 7040 uses sensor-shift stabilization, generally less effective but still helpful in low light.

I found the Stylus 1 delivered cleaner results handheld at slower shutter speeds, reinforcing its suitability for subjects prone to motion blur.

Battery Life and Storage

The Stylus 1 uses a rechargeable BLS-5 battery with an official rating of 410 shots per charge - plenty for a day of shooting. The 7040’s battery life is undocumented but expected to be inferior given its smaller size and compact form.

Both accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, but the 7040 supports internal storage alongside the card slot, catering to casual use without external cards at times.

Build Quality and Durability

Neither camera features weather sealing or rugged construction, so treat both with care around moisture or dust. The Stylus 1’s larger body feels more solid, but neither suits harsh outdoor conditions fully.

Price-to-Performance Ratio

At launch and in current used markets, the Stylus 1 is priced around $700, whereas the 7040 is closer to $300. The question is whether the considerable performance and feature advantages of the Stylus 1 justify more than twice the investment.

How These Cameras Perform Across Photography Disciplines

Olympus 1 front Olympus 1 screen back Olympus 7040 front Olympus 7040 screen back

To help you visualize differences, here are test shot samples illustrating strengths and limitations.

Portraits

• Stylus 1: The F2.8 aperture creates smooth, creamy bokeh; face-detection autofocus helps nail sharp focus on eyes. Skin tones are rendered naturally due to better color depth.
• 7040: Limited aperture range and no face detection reduce portrait quality noticeably. A bit harsh in low light.

Landscape

• Stylus 1: Offers better dynamic range and resolution when shooting scenes with high contrast - important for capturing shadow and highlight detail.
• 7040: Resolution is higher but sensor limitation and restricted dynamic range tend to blow highlights or lose shadows contrast.

Wildlife

• Stylus 1’s superzoom reach and faster autofocus make it much better suited to wildlife photography compared to the 7040’s limited zoom and sluggish AF.

Sports

• Only the Stylus 1 supports higher frame rates and continuous autofocus for tracking fast subjects.

Street

• The 7040’s compact design and discreteness might appeal here. However, the Stylus 1’s improved autofocus and viewfinder support more reliable captures, especially in challenging light.

Macro

• 7040 supports a closer 2cm macro range but likely compromises in sharpness. Stylus 1’s minimum focus distance is 5cm, balanced by superior optics.

Night/Astro

• Stylus 1 beats 7040 due to higher ISO capabilities and better noise control.

Travel

• 7040 wins on portability and packing convenience.
• Stylus 1 offers more versatility but at the cost of bulk and weight.

Technical Scores and Expert Ratings

Official ratings (e.g., DxO Mark) highlight the stylus 1’s stronger sensor performance in color depth, dynamic range, and low-light scoring where the 7040 lacks data.

Scores clearly favor the Stylus 1 for action, wildlife, and varied lighting conditions. The 7040 holds up only in casual snapshot contexts.

Wireless & Connectivity Features

The Stylus 1 includes built-in Wi-Fi, which I personally found useful for quick file transfers and remote control via smartphone apps - a rare feature in cameras of this class and time. The 7040 lacks wireless connectivity altogether, limiting sharing flexibility.

Both cameras support HDMI output and USB 2.0 for wired transfers.

Who Should Buy Which Camera?

Choose the Olympus Stylus 1 if you:

• Want a versatile all-in-one camera for serious photography without carrying interchangeable lenses
• Need better low light performance, improved autofocus, and faster shooting speeds
• Value an electronic viewfinder and touchscreen interface
• Shoot portraits, wildlife, sports, or landscapes frequently
• Appreciate the convenience of Wi-Fi connectivity

Choose the Olympus Stylus 7040 if you:

• Prioritize ultra-portability and pocketability above all else
• Prefer a straightforward “point and shoot” experience with minimal controls
• Have a tight budget and casual shooting needs
• Primarily shoot in good light and don’t require RAW or manual exposure
• Need a lightweight compact for travel or everyday snapshots

Summing Up: Strengths & Weaknesses In Brief

Olympus Stylus 1

Pros:

• Bright constant F2.8 lens with extensive zoom range
• Electronic viewfinder with high resolution and 100% coverage
• Better low light and noise performance
• Faster autofocus with face detection and tracking
• 7fps burst rate suitable for action photography
• Tilting high-res touchscreen LCD
• Built-in Wi-Fi for connectivity
• More manual controls for creativity and precision

Cons:

• Heavier and bulkier, reducing portability
• No weather sealing
• No microphone/headphone jacks for advanced video work

Olympus Stylus 7040

Pros:

• Ultra-compact and lightweight design
• Simple operation ideal for casual users or beginners
• Closer macro focusing distance (2cm)
• Built-in flash with decent flash range for point-and-shoot scenarios
• Affordable price point

Cons:

• Smaller, older CCD sensor with limited image quality
• No RAW support and limited ISO range
• Slower autofocus, no face detection, no continuous AF
• 720p video max in older MJPEG codec
• No viewfinder; low-res fixed rear LCD
• No wireless features

Final Thoughts from My Personal Experience

Having spent time with both, the Olympus Stylus 1 clearly emerges as the more serious photographic tool. Its sensor technology, lens speed, and AF system allow for creativity and better image quality across genres, justifying its higher cost for enthusiasts.

The Stylus 7040 reminds me of a faithful compact back-up or beginner camera, perfect when size, simplicity, and affordability matter most. It’s a camera you bring out for snapshot memories but won’t challenge you to grow as a photographer.

If your photography goals include portraiture with compelling bokeh, landscapes with dynamic range, or capturing fleeting wildlife moments, the Stylus 1 is the evident choice. For casual travel, social sharing, or behind-the-scenes documentation with minimal fuss, the 7040 suffices.

With this comprehensive analysis, you can confidently select the Olympus camera that matches your needs, shooting ambitions, and budget without compromise.

If you want to dig deeper or need lens advice or accessory recommendations, feel free to ask - I’ve tested thousands of cameras and CPS lenses in similar categories and am happy to share.

Happy shooting!

Image Credits

1. - Size and ergonomics overview
2. - Control layout differences
3. - Sensor tech and image quality basis
4. - Screen and interface considerations
5. Olympus 1 front Olympus 1 screen back Olympus 7040 front Olympus 7040 screen back
   - Real-world image quality comparison
6. - Benchmark performance ratings
7. - Specialized shooting discipline analysis