Olympus 1s vs Olympus SP-100

In this article, we are reviewing the Olympus 1s and Olympus SP-100, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and they are both built by Olympus. There is a substantial difference among the sensor resolutions of the 1s (12MP) and SP-100 (16MP) and the 1s (1/1.7") and SP-100 (1/2.3") enjoy different sensor dimensions.

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The 1s was announced 15 months later than the SP-100 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before we go through a complete comparison, below is a quick summary of how the 1s grades against the SP-100 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus Stylus 1s & Olympus Stylus SP-100. The whole galleries are provided at Olympus 1s Gallery & Olympus SP-100 Gallery.

For anyone who is intending to lug around your camera frequently, you have to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus 1s features exterior dimensions of 116mm x 87mm x 57mm (4.6" x 3.4" x 2.2") having a weight of 402 grams (0.89 lbs) while the Olympus SP-100 has measurements of 122mm x 91mm x 133mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 5.2") having a weight of 594 grams (1.31 lbs).

See the Olympus 1s and Olympus SP-100 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Below is the front view scale comparison of the 1s and the SP-100.

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the 1s and SP-100 is 79 and 63 respectively.

In many cases, it is very hard to imagine the gap in sensor measurements merely by looking through specs. The visual underneath should provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the 1s and SP-100.

All in all, the two cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The 1s using its larger sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field simpler and the Olympus SP-100 will render more detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop images far more aggressively. The more modern 1s should have an edge with regard to sensor tech.