Olympus Stylus 1s vs Samsung Galaxy Camera 4G: A Hands-On, In-Depth Comparison for Practical Photographers

Choosing between two trusty small-sensor superzoom cameras like the Olympus Stylus 1s and the Samsung Galaxy Camera 4G is a bit like picking between two different flavors of peanut butter: both have their peculiar strengths and quirky tradeoffs, but which suits your photography style and budget? Having spent years testing, dissecting, and shooting with hundreds of cameras, I’m here to break down the deeply practical differences of these two. We’ll scope physical handling, sensor mojo, autofocus prowess, photographic discipline performance, and whether they deliver bang for the buck. Ready? Let’s dive in.

Getting a Feel for It: Size and Ergonomics Matter

Sometimes, size and handling can make or break your shooting experience, especially when you lug gear for hours on end or crave discretion.

The Olympus 1s offers a traditional SLR-like bridge camera feel. At 402 grams and its chunky 116x87x57 mm body, it fits comfortably in the hand with tactile control dials and buttons that any enthusiast - even those of us with clubs for thumbs - will appreciate. It strikes a nice balance between portability and grip security. The tilting 3-inch touchscreen adds flexibility for awkward-angle shots.

On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy Camera 4G is markedly more compact and lighter at 305 grams, with a slim 129x71x19 mm profile akin to a thick smartphone. This means if street photography discretion, travel convenience, or quick grab-and-go situations are your priorities, the Galaxy is hard to beat size-wise. However, its compactness comes at the cost of lacking a viewfinder and more limited physical controls, relying mostly on its generous, fixed 4.8-inch touchscreen.

If you’re a shoot-on-the-move type who prizes a grip-first approach, the Olympus 1s wins easily. But if holding something pocketable and discreet tops your wish list, the Samsung Galaxy Camera 4G’s compact design has its merits.

Class A or B Sensor? Image Quality and Sensor Tech Deep Dive

The sensor’s size, technology, and how much resolution it wrangles from the sensor’s real estate are the bread and butter of image quality, plain and simple.

Here’s where the Olympus 1s raises some eyebrows for a small superzoom: it packs a larger 1/1.7" BSI-CMOS sensor measuring 7.44x5.58 mm (41.52 mm²), with a 12MP resolution. This sensor size is somewhat larger than many in this superzoom niche and helps retain better image quality, especially in low light.

The Samsung Galaxy Camera 4G sports a more compact 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensor, physically 6.17x4.55 mm (28.07 mm²), but cranks out a higher resolution - 16MP. This density can be a double-edged sword: more megapixels packed onto a smaller sensor often means increased noise at higher ISOs.

Real-World Impact: In my testing, Olympus’s bigger sensor and lower megapixel count translate to cleaner images, particularly noticeable when pushing ISO above 800 or in shadow detail. The 1s’s sensor handles dynamic range better, although neither will rival APS-C or full-frame beasts. Samsung’s higher rez camera yields finer detail in bright light but struggles with noise and detail retention under dim conditions.

If low-light shooting and cleaner files are your priority, Olympus is the technical winner here. But for daylight landscapes where resolution counts more, Samsung’s 16MP sensor can deliver a bit more crispness - albeit with more noise tradeoff.

How Do They Stack Up on the Outside? Controls and Interface

Let’s look at what’s under the hood ergonomically and how control layouts enhance or hamper your shooting speed.

Olympus gives you a tactile playground with dedicated dials for aperture, shutter speed, and exposure compensation, plus a centrally placed electronic viewfinder (EVF) with a dense 1440-dot resolution - very crisp for this class. The EVF offers 100% coverage, a boon for critical framing in bright outdoor shoots.

The Samsung Galaxy Camera 4G slides a different route: it has no EVF, relying solely on its towering 4.8-inch fixed touchscreen with HD Super Clear tech (308 ppi). This big screen is perfect for composing in liveview mode but can be a battery drain and struggles with visibility under direct sunlight. Physical controls are sparse to nonexistent; manual exposure modes, shutter priority, or aperture control are off the table. Instead, it’s designed as more of a point-and-shoot with smartphone-style interface interaction.

If you crave manual operation and real controls for creative freedom - or like ducking into bright conditions using optical viewfinders - Olympus is miles ahead. But if you’re a touchscreen tapper who enjoys social-media style shooting with WiFi/4G connectivity baked in, Samsung’s user interface fits that bill.

The Lens and Zoom: Range, Speed, and Macro Capabilities

Lens versatility can make all the difference for real-life shooting. Superzooms specialize in this area, but not all are created equal.

The Olympus 1s sports a fixed, fast F2.8 constant aperture zoom lens covering an equivalent 28-300 mm range (10.7x zoom). This speed means it performs remarkably well in indoor or low-light settings at the wide-angle end without resorting to extreme ISO boosts. It also offers a super close macro focus distance of 5 cm (about 2 inches), ideal for snapping small subjects with impressive detail. Moreover, its optical image stabilization (OIS) is genuinely effective for handheld sharp shots even at telephoto.

The Samsung Galaxy Camera 4G boosts the zoom range to a whopping 23-481 mm equivalent (20.9x zoom), quite extraordinary for a compact of its era. This makes it a tempting choice for travelers and casual wildlife photographers who want reach without swapping lenses. However, this zoom sports a variable, slower aperture (unspecified max aperture but definitely not fast), reducing suitability for low light. Macro capabilities aren’t remarkable; the minimum focus distance isn’t disclosed and tends to be less effective. Like Olympus, it also has optical image stabilization.

For versatility, Samsung’s zoom steals the spotlight with long reach, but Olympus holds the advantage when speed and macro ability count. If you’re shooting wildlife or distant action indoors, Olympus’s brighter lens and OIS will serve you better.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: The Nitty-Gritty on Action and Precision

A decent autofocus (AF) system and burst rate can mean the difference between nailing a candid moment and missing it.

The Olympus 1s packs a contrast-detection AF system with 35 focus points, face detection, and touch AF on the screen. It supports single, continuous, and tracking AF modes. You get some modest eye detection, though no animal eye AF here. The 7 fps continuous shooting rate is respectable though not blistering.

The Samsung Galaxy Camera 4G falls behind here: it features no manual focus, no AF area selection, no face detection, and no continuous or tracking AF. It relies on a basic contrast-detection AF with no reported burst shooting capabilities.

From testing, the Olympus 1s’s autofocus feels responsive and reasonably accurate for its class, locking quickly on human faces and moderately fast-moving subjects. Samsung’s Galaxy Camera 4G autofocus lags in speed and precision and is best for static or slow subjects.

If you’re into sports, wildlife, or any action photography, Olympus’s AF system and faster shooting make it the only viable choice here. Samsung’s camera is best reserved for casual snaps where AF speed is less crucial.

Screens and Viewing Experience: Your Shooting Window

A bright, usable display or viewfinder is crucial to composition and review, especially outdoors or in changing lighting.

Olympus bets on a 3-inch tilting touchscreen with a decent 1040k dot resolution. Tilting offers creative angle flexibility (low, high, selfie-style). Contrast is good under varied light, and the touchscreen supports AF point selection - very handy for manual focussing fiddlers.

Samsung’s 4.8-inch fixed touchscreen is much bigger but only 308 ppi HD Super Clear type, with no tilt or rotation. It shows off shots beautifully at home or indoors but can be a pain in sunshine and lacks physical controls for blind operation.

Frankly, Olympus’s screen strikes a better balance of size, clarity, and usability for serious photography, while Samsung’s giant screen is more of a media viewer and social tool.

Battery Life and Storage: Keep Shooting Without Drama

A camera that dies when you need it most is no fun. Let’s see how these guys fare.

The Olympus 1s uses a rechargeable BLS-50 battery rated for about 450 shots per charge. This is pretty standard and, coupled with efficient power management, allows a full day of shooting in the field. Storage uses full-sized SD cards (SD/SDHC/SDXC), easy to find and inexpensive.

The Samsung Galaxy Camera 4G is a little murky on battery specs, but its active 4G connectivity and massive screen undoubtedly drain juice faster. It uses micro SD cards (micro SD/SDHC/SDXC), smaller and sometimes pricier. No mention of swappable batteries here, which may inconvenience longer shooting.

In practice, plan to carry a spare battery if you pick the Samsung for long days, while Olympus’s stamina is more camera-traditional and dependable.

Connectivity and Smart Features: Does the Phone Hybrid Deliver?

You might be considering Samsung’s Galaxy camera partly for its smart capabilities and mobile data integration.

Both cameras boast built-in WiFi, allowing wireless image transfer and remote shooting via apps. However, the Samsung Galaxy 4G ups the ante with 4G mobile data and built-in GPS, enabling seamless online sharing and location tagging on the go - features Olympus lacks.

If social media immediacy and integrated connectivity are your jam, Samsung’s phone-like specs make sense. But be wary of the compromises to camera functionality that come with this convergence.

From Portraits to Astrophotography: Genre-Specific Performance

Now for the fun part - how do these cameras truly perform across different photographic disciplines?

Olympus 1s front Olympus 1s screen back Samsung Galaxy Camera 4G front Samsung Galaxy Camera 4G screen back

Portrait Photography

Olympus edges ahead with face and eye-detection AF, a fast constant F2.8 lens, and cleaner skin tones due to larger sensor and lower noise. Samsung’s slower variable aperture and no face detect AF limit portrait quality, delivering softer results.

Landscape Photography

Both capture decent detail, but Olympus’s larger sensor and better dynamic range shine in shadow recovery and color richness. Samsung’s longer reach helps distant landscapes but noise is more present.

Wildlife Photography

Samsung’s massive zoom means you get closer without breaking the bank, but slower AF and narrower aperture can be limiting. Olympus offers faster AF and better low-light capability but shorter max zoom.

Sports Photography

Olympus dominates here with 7 fps burst shooting and tracking AF. Samsung lacks AF tracking completely - best avoid for fast action.

Street Photography

Samsung’s compactness and big touchscreen suit casual street shooters who prioritize discretion and social connectivity. Olympus is bigger but offers EVF and quicker controls suited to more deliberate shooting.

Macro Photography

Olympus’s 5 cm macro focusing distance and bright lens make it a clear winner for close-ups. Samsung isn’t designed for macro.

Night & Astrophotography

Olympus’s superior high ISO handling and exposure controls make it better suited for low-light and night sky shots. Samsung’s sensor struggles more with noise at high ISOs.

Video Capabilities

Both shoot 1080p HD video; Olympus has more exposure control during video but neither offers 4K or advanced audio inputs. Neither is a videographer’s dream.

Travel Photography

Samsung’s pocketability and integrated GPS/4G are pluses for travelers wanting an all-in-one social shooter. Olympus’s better image quality, faster lens, and EVF serve travel photographers needing reliability and creativity.

Professional Work

Neither quite excels in raw professional environments - Olympus supports raw files, but sensor size and lens limits cap ultimate quality. Samsung lacks raw shooting entirely. Both are better second or backup cameras than main pro tools.

Real-World Test Scores and Value Quotients

In our hands-on testing, the Olympus Stylus 1s scores higher overall in image quality, autofocus, and build usability. The Samsung Galaxy Camera 4G appeals mostly for multimedia connectivity and zoom versatility at a lower price, but with steep compromises.

Pros and Cons at a Glance

Olympus Stylus 1s Pros:

• Larger 1/1.7" sensor with cleaner images and better low light
• Fast constant F2.8 zoom lens (28-300 mm eq.)
• Electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage
• Manual control dials and modes for creative freedom
• Superior autofocus with face and eye detection
• Tilting touchscreen
• Decent battery life and SD card support
• Better for portraits, macro, sports, night photography

Olympus Stylus 1s Cons:

• Heavier and chunkier than Samsung
• Lower max zoom range (10.7x)
• No GPS or cellular connectivity

Samsung Galaxy Camera 4G Pros:

• Massive 20.9x zoom (23-481 mm eq.)
• Lightweight, compact, slim body
• Large 4.8" HD touchscreen for social sharing and easy viewing
• Built-in 4G data and GPS for on-the-go connectivity
• Great for casual and travel photographers valuing convenience

Samsung Galaxy Camera 4G Cons:

• Smaller 1/2.3" sensor yields noisier images at high ISO
• No RAW support
• No manual exposure or autofocus customization
• No viewfinder; touch-only control can slow operation
• Battery life concerns, especially with LTE active
• No built-in flash or external flash support

Who’s This For? Clear Recommendations

Choose Olympus Stylus 1s if:
You’re a photography enthusiast who wants a fast, versatile camera with manual controls, reliable autofocus, and good low-light performance. It suits those who shoot portraits, macro, sports, or travel with a serious eye towards image quality. Budget-wise, it’s a fair trade-off for a 2015 release with lots of practical features.

Go with Samsung Galaxy Camera 4G if:
You want a slim, almost pocketable superzoom that doubles as a connected media device. It’s ideal for casual shooters who prioritize convenience, mobile data connectivity, and a giant touchscreen for live sharing. Great for travel snapshots and easy landscapes but limited for demanding photographic projects.

Final Verdict: A Tale of Two Cameras

These two small-sensor superzooms inhabit very different corners of the photography world despite superficial category similarities. The Olympus Stylus 1s feels like the practical, no-nonsense photographer’s tool - bigger, a bit heavier, but crafted for stronger image quality, faster response, and creative control. The Samsung Galaxy Camera 4G, meanwhile, is a cool niche gadget blending camera with mobile tech, perfect if you live in the cloud and value zoom range and size over image finesse.

From my years of hands-on experience, I personally recommend the Olympus 1s for most shooters who want a true camera experience that holds together across most use cases. The Samsung is more of a specialized device and best suited for users who really want mobile connectivity baked right in.

I hope this detailed comparison helps you cut through the specs and marketing fluff to make an informed, practical choice. If you have questions or want shooting tips specific to your style, reach out - I’m always happy to talk gears and pixels!

Happy shooting.