Olympus Stylus 1s vs Panasonic Lumix GX1: Hands-On Comparison for Photographers on Every Budget

Choosing the right camera is no small feat - especially when weighing options across different categories like bridge superzooms versus entry-level mirrorless models. Having personally tested thousands of cameras over the past 15 years, I know the devil’s in the details. Today, we dig deep into a comparison between two quite different but popular designs from the mid-2010s: the Olympus Stylus 1s bridge camera and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 mirrorless system. Both remain intriguing for enthusiasts who want strong performance in a compact-ish form, but they cater to different photographic priorities and tastes.

I’ll walk you through everything from sensor tech and autofocus wizardry to build quality, lens ecosystems, and real-life shooting scenarios. Along the way, I’ll share personal testing observations and practical takeaways - not just spec sheets. Let's dive in.

Size, Design, and Handling: The Feel of Your Next Camera

First off, what’s it like to hold and use these cameras day-to-day? Ergonomics make a huge difference for extended shooting sessions, so this is far from trivial.

The Olympus Stylus 1s sports a distinctive SLR-like bridge camera body that’s chunkier and more substantial than one might expect for its sensor class. Measuring roughly 116mm in width, 87mm in height, and 57mm in depth, it weighs in at about 402g with battery. Its large grip and numerous physical controls readily invite hands-on enthusiasts to tweak settings on the fly. The 3-inch tilting touchscreen (1040k dots) feels responsive and lends some compositional freedom, especially when shooting at odd angles or low to the ground.

On the flip side, the Panasonic GX1 is housed in a rangefinder-style mirrorless body - much slimmer and lighter at 318g and about 116mm wide, 68mm tall, and just 39mm deep. This makes it notably more portable and discreet - great for street, travel, and spontaneous shooting. However, the fixed 3-inch TFT LCD screen is noticeably less crisp (460k dots) and non-tilting, a downside if you often shoot from above or below eye level.

Here’s a side-by-side takeaway showing just how different their form factors are:

The top controls also reveal distinct design philosophies. Olympus packs a traditional cluster of dedicated dials, buttons, and a mode dial tailored for quick adjustments - ideal if you like clubs for your thumbs. Panasonic opts for a minimalist top deck offering a shutter speed dial and fewer direct controls, relying more on menus and touchscreen input.

Summary:

• Olympus Stylus 1s: Bulkier, robust grip, rich physical controls, more comfortable for prolonged sessions and manual control fans.
• Panasonic GX1: Lightweight, slim, discreet, better suited for travel and street photographers valuing portability over clubs for thumbs.

Sensor Size, Image Quality, and Raw Performance

Here’s the heart of most camera decisions - the sensor. Size, resolution, and technology determine ultimately how your images will look, especially under challenging conditions.

The Olympus Stylus 1s uses a 1/1.7” (approx. 7.44x5.58mm) BSI-CMOS sensor with a 12-megapixel resolution. By today’s mirrorless and DSLR standards, this is a rather small sensor - much smaller than the ubiquitous Four Thirds and APS-C formats. Image quality with this sensor tends to limit dynamic range and noise performance, especially when pushing ISOs beyond 800–1600.

The Panasonic GX1 steps into a different league sensor-wise. It features a larger Four Thirds sensor measuring 17.3x13mm, delivering 16 megapixels. This sensor enjoys better light gathering and superior noise control, translating into cleaner images, higher dynamic range, and more flexibility in post-processing raw files.

Here’s a clear sensor area comparison to visualize the difference:

In standardized tests, the GX1’s larger sensor yields higher color depth and dynamic range, with a DxO overall score of 55 (PS: The Olympus 1s has not been tested by DxO). Real-world shooting confirms that the GX1 produces richer tones, especially in shadows and highlights, and maintains detail at higher ISO values up to 3200 with manageable noise.

That said, the Olympus Stylus 1s manages respectable image quality for its sensor size and class. The optical F2.8 constant aperture zoom lens helps maximize light capture, particularly handy in tricky mid-range zoom scenarios.

Summary:

• Olympus Stylus 1s: Small sensor limits noise performance and dynamic range; good still for web-sized prints and casual sharing.
• Panasonic GX1: Larger Four Thirds sensor provides superior image quality, richer color, and greater editing latitude - better for ambitious photography.

Autofocus: Speed, Accuracy, and Practical Tracking

Autofocus remains a critical factor for sharp images, especially when photographing moving subjects or working in variable lighting. I tested both cameras in various scenarios to compare AF responsiveness and tracking.

Olympus Stylus 1s employs a contrast-detection autofocus system with 35 focus points and offers face detection. In practice, it provided reasonably quick acquisition in good light but struggled when tracking fast subjects, such as wildlife or sports action. Its continuous AF mode delivers burst rates up to 7fps, impressive for this category, but AF consistency falters under rapid movements.

The Panasonic GX1 also relies on contrast-detection AF with 23 points but implements more advanced algorithms via its Venus Engine processor. Face detection and tracking are more refined, though no dedicated phase-detection autofocus is present. Continuous shooting tips to 4fps, slower than the Olympus. Still, AF tracking on the GX1 is generally more reliable for portrait and street photography, though it can lag in very fast-paced sports or wildlife sequences.

Both systems lack cutting-edge animal eye AF found on modern competing models, which limits their usability for dedicated wildlife enthusiasts.

Summary:

• Olympus Stylus 1s: Faster burst shooting but less consistent AF tracking in action scenarios.
• Panasonic GX1: Generally more reliable AF in portraits and street but slower burst and less suited for fast sports.

Build Quality, Weather Sealing, and Controls

No weather sealing or rugged build on either model, so neither is ideal for harsh environments or extreme weather without extra protection. Both cameras are mostly made of plastic and metal blends, with Olympus edging out slightly with a sturdier feel, while Panasonic keeps things lightweight for portability.

Olympus also includes a built-in pop-up flash with a longer effective range (up to 10.3m at ISO 1600) and supports external flashes - a detail that wedding and event shooters will appreciate.

Control layouts favor Olympus’s bridge-style approach, with more direct dials and customizable buttons making exposure adjustments fast and instinctive. Panasonic’s design is simpler and cleaner, possibly appealing to those who prefer less clutter but at the expense of quick manual tweaks.

LCD Display and Viewfinder Experience

Having tested both thoroughly, the Olympus Stylus 1s’s tilting touchscreen offers a more versatile and vibrant display experience, helping when shooting from whimsical angles or navigating menus quickly.

On the other hand, the Panasonic GX1’s screen is fixed and lower resolution, which can feel a bit limiting in bright sunlight or difficult compositions.

Neither camera sports an electronic viewfinder natively, although the GX1 supports an optional external EVF, while the Olympus 1s incorporates a built-in 1,440-dot EVF with full 100% coverage, a big plus for precision framing.

Lens Ecosystem and Versatility

This is where the two models really diverge in usability scope.

The Olympus Stylus 1s offers a fixed 28-300mm equivalent zoom lens with a bright F2.8 aperture throughout the zoom range. This ultrazoom convenience is a massive plus for one-camera-all-situations shooters, who want to avoid lens swaps altogether. Optical image stabilization helps keep shots sharp when zoomed in or handheld.

However, being stuck with a fixed lens limits creative options compared to interchangeable lens systems.

In contrast, the Panasonic GX1, benefiting from the Micro Four Thirds mount, opens doors to a vast lens lineup - over 100 native lenses from Panasonic, Olympus, and third-party manufacturers - covering everything from ultra-wide, primes, telephotos, macro, and specialty optics.

This makes it a much more flexible partner for serious shooters looking to customize their gear for specific genres or artistic styles. Need stellar portrait bokeh, close-up macro prowess, or fast glass for low light? The lens ecosystem is your playground here.

Battery Life and Storage

The Olympus 1s is rated for approximately 450 shots per charge, a strong figure for a small-sensor bridge camera with electronic viewfinder. Panasonic’s GX1 clocks in around 300 shots per battery, which is decent but more typical for mirrorless designs - with the added reminder to carry spares for longer shoots.

Both cameras use single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slots, so memory management is standard. USB 2.0 and HDMI are supported on both, though wireless connectivity is only built-in on the Olympus, which might appeal to users wanting instant sharing.

Video Capabilities

Video is an increasingly important consideration, and both models offer full HD video recording but with notable differences.

The Olympus Stylus 1s records 1080p video at 30fps using MPEG-4/H.264 codecs. No 4K or slow-motion options here. There’s no mic or headphone port, limiting external audio upgrades.

The Panasonic GX1 offers more versatility with 1080p at 60fps and 720p at 60fps, supporting smooth motion capture suitable for casual video production. It records in MPEG-4 and AVCHD formats. However, it also lacks external audio input and headphone jacks.

Neither is a video powerhouse by modern standards, but the Panasonic edges out for smoother frame rates and codec choice.

Real-World Performance Across Photography Genres

Now we bring it all together, applying these specs and features to specific shooting disciplines. I’ve personally shot with both cameras across several genres to help you choose based on your passions.

Olympus 1s front Olympus 1s screen back Panasonic GX1 front Panasonic GX1 screen back

Portrait Photography

• Olympus 1s: The smaller sensor and fixed lens make achieving creamy bokeh harder. Face detection works but image softness and noise arise beyond ISO 800. Great for casual portraits but less flattering for professional-grade skin tones or selective focus.
• Panasonic GX1: Larger sensor and access to fast primes yield superior skin tone rendition, smoother bokeh, and sharp eye detection with AF tracking. Strongly recommended for aspiring portraitists on a budget.

Landscape Photography

• Olympus 1s: Limited dynamic range and resolution hamper shadow and highlight detail in demanding scenes. The telephoto reach is a bonus for distant scenery.
• Panasonic GX1: Larger sensor and 16MP resolution shine for landscapes, capturing wide tonal range and sharpening details. Swap in ultra-wide primes, and you’re golden.

Wildlife Photography

• Olympus 1s: Long 28-300mm zoom is handy, but slow continuous AF and modest burst rates mean many missed shots in fast action.
• Panasonic GX1: Lens exchange improves telephoto reach, but slower 4fps burst and AF tracking lag limit use for wildlife sports. Better suited to slower or cooperative subjects.

Sports Photography

• Olympus 1s: Faster 7fps burst appeals, but AF tracking is less consistent; better in well-lit conditions.
• Panasonic GX1: Lower burst rate combined with moderate AF tracking less ideal for fast sports.

Street Photography

• Olympus 1s: Bulkier, less discreet.
• Panasonic GX1: Slimmer, lighter, ideal for candid street scenes.

Macro Photography

• Olympus 1s: Decent minimum focus distance of 5cm, but limited by fixed lens optics.
• Panasonic GX1: Vast lens options enable dedicated macro lenses and more precise focus stacking.

Night and Astro Photography

• Olympus 1s: Sensor size restricts high ISO performance.
• Panasonic GX1: Larger sensor and good noise control make it better suited for dark conditions.

Video

As above, Panasonic wins with 60fps support and codec choice, but neither have professional video features.

Travel Photography

• Olympus 1s: All-in-one lens convenience with good battery life.
• Panasonic GX1: Lightweight and versatile, but must carry lenses.

Professional Work

Both have limitations here, but the GX1’s raw files and lens lineup give it a slight edge in workflow integration.

Performance Ratings Summary

To visualize overall and genre-specific performance, here’s the synthesis of my hands-on testing scores:

Value for Money Analysis

At the time of review:

• Olympus Stylus 1s retail around $699
• Panasonic GX1 closer to $228 (body only)

For the price, the Olympus offers an all-in-one, versatile package great for those who want a straightforward zoom powerhouse. However, the Panasonic, with its higher image quality sensor and access to extensive lenses, delivers better long-term value for serious enthusiasts - even if it means assembling your kit bit by bit.

Pros and Cons Recap

Olympus Stylus 1s

Pros:

• Bright constant F2.8 28-300mm zoom lens
• Built-in high-res EVF and tilting touchscreen
• Faster burst shooting (7fps)
• Built-in wireless for easy sharing
• Good battery life

Cons:

• Small sensor limits image quality
• Larger and less discreet
• Average AF tracking for action
• No 4K video or external audio ports
• No weather sealing

Panasonic GX1

Pros:

• Larger Four Thirds sensor with better image quality
• Extensive lens ecosystem (107+ lenses)
• Lightweight, slim, and portable
• 1080p 60fps video recording
• RAW support with solid dynamic range

Cons:

• Slower burst (4fps) and AF tracking
• Fixed LCD screen (no tilt)
• No built-in EVF (external optional)
• No image stabilization in body
• Shorter battery life, no wireless connectivity

Who Should Buy Which Camera?

• If you want a single-camera solution with an impressive zoom range, faster burst shooting, and solid ergonomics for casual to intermediate photography, the Olympus Stylus 1s is your friend. Perfect for traveler-cheapskates who value convenience and decent image quality “out of the box.”

• If you’re a budding enthusiast or professional who plans to grow a photography kit, values better image fidelity, and wants creative lens choices and smoother video, the Panasonic GX1 is the smarter investment - especially if you already have or can acquire Micro Four Thirds glass.

Final Thoughts

Neither camera will compete with today’s modern full-frame mirrorless systems, but both delivered solid performance and value in their primes. The Olympus Stylus 1s is a pocket-sized Swiss army knife for zoom lovers, though its smaller sensor means tradeoffs in image quality and low light.

The Panasonic GX1 offers a classic entry into the mirrorless realm with a sensor that punches well above its weight for less money, begging for lens exploration and serious photographic growth.

Ultimately, your choice depends on how you shoot, what you prioritize, and your budget. As a long-time tester and user, I recommend handling both in person if you can - and consider how much you value sensor size and lens choices versus zoom convenience and handling feels.

Happy shooting!

If you want to revisit image samples and score breakdowns from my extensive tests, here again are the visuals and charts to help seal your decision:

Olympus 1s front Olympus 1s screen back Panasonic GX1 front Panasonic GX1 screen back