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Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic FZ40

Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26
Olympus Stylus 550WP front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
Portability
68
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic FZ40 Key Specs

Olympus 550WP
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 38-114mm (F3.5-5.0) lens
  • 167g - 94 x 62 x 22mm
  • Released January 2009
  • Alternative Name is mju 550WP
Panasonic FZ40
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 494g - 120 x 80 x 92mm
  • Introduced July 2010
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-FZ45
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Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic FZ40 Overview

In this article, we are evaluating the Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic FZ40, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Olympus and Panasonic. There is a crucial difference among the image resolutions of the 550WP (10MP) and FZ40 (14MP) but they come with the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The 550WP was manufactured 18 months before the FZ40 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus 550WP being a Compact camera and the Panasonic FZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before delving in to a detailed comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the 550WP grades versus the FZ40 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus 550WP over the Panasonic FZ40

 550WP FZ40 

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Olympus 550WP

 FZ40 550WP 
IntroducedJuly 2010January 2009More modern by 18 months
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")

Common features in the Olympus 550WP and Panasonic FZ40

 550WP FZ40 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic FZ40 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry around your camera regularly, you need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus 550WP provides physical measurements of 94mm x 62mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs) while the Panasonic FZ40 has dimensions of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic FZ40 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are using during that time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the 550WP vs the FZ40.

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic FZ40 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the 550WP and FZ40 is 94 and 68 respectively.

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic FZ40 top view buttons comparison

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic FZ40 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its difficult to visualise the difference in sensor sizes simply by checking out specifications. The image below should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the 550WP and FZ40.

To sum up, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Panasonic FZ40 to provide more detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos far more aggressively. The more aged 550WP will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic FZ40 sensor size comparison

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus 550WP as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic FZ40 as a Portrait photography camera
19
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
46
manual focus
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
supports RAW files
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus 550WP
Street photography with Panasonic FZ40
61
built in image stabilization (Digital)
weather proofing
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
more heavy than competition (494 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus 550WP
Sports photography with Panasonic FZ40
30
built in image stabilization (Digital)
weather proofing
max shutter speed is low (1/1,000 seconds)
no shutter priority
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
43
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
low fps (2.0 fps)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus 550WP Travel photography highlights
Panasonic FZ40 Travel photography highlights
55
weather proofing
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
low resolution sensor (10MP)
does not have selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
54
megapixel count good (14MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (494g)
does not have selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus 550WP
Landscape photography with Panasonic FZ40
30
built in image stabilization (Digital)
weather proofing
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
manual mode not possible
low resolution sensor (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
51
manual focus
quite wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
supports RAW files
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus 550WP Vlogging information
Panasonic FZ40 Vlogging information
25
built in image stabilization (Digital)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not have selfie friendly screen
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have mic jack
23
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not have selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone port
more heavy than competition (494g)
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Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic FZ40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus 550WP and Panasonic FZ40
 Olympus Stylus 550WPPanasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus Stylus 550WP Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
Also called as mju 550WP Lumix DMC-FZ45
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2009-01-07 2010-07-21
Body design Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Chip - Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3648 x 2736 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 64 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 38-114mm (3.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.0 f/2.8-5.2
Macro focus range 7cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.5" 3"
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed - 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 9.50 m
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off, On Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 167 grams (0.37 lb) 494 grams (1.09 lb)
Dimensions 94 x 62 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Self timer Yes (12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures))
Time lapse feature
Type of storage xD-Picture Card, microSD, internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail pricing $399 $420