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Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic GH1

Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26
Olympus Stylus 550WP front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 front
Portability
81
Imaging
49
Features
57
Overall
52

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic GH1 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
  • Announced January 2009
  • Alternate Name is mju 550WP
Panasonic GH1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost to 3200)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 385g - 124 x 90 x 45mm
  • Released July 2009
  • Updated by Panasonic GH2
Photography Glossary

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic GH1 Overview

Here is a extended analysis of the Olympus 550WP and Panasonic GH1, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the 550WP (10MP) and the GH1 (12MP) is relatively close but the 550WP (1/2.3") and GH1 (Four Thirds) posses totally different sensor measurements.

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The 550WP was brought out 6 months prior to the GH1 and they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus 550WP being a Compact camera and the Panasonic GH1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief view of how the 550WP grades vs the GH1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus 550WP over the Panasonic GH1

 550WP GH1 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GH1 over the Olympus 550WP

 GH1 550WP 
Manual focus More precise focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Olympus 550WP and Panasonic GH1

 550WP GH1 
ReleasedJanuary 2009July 2009Same generation
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic GH1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry your camera regularly, you will want to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus 550WP has exterior dimensions 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 GH1 has sizing of 124mm x 90mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 1.8") with a weight of 385 grams (0.85 lbs).

Compare the Olympus 550WP and Panasonic GH1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are utilising at that time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the 550WP compared to the GH1.

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic GH1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the 550WP and GH1 is 94 and 81 respectively.

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic GH1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic GH1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be difficult to envision the gap in sensor sizing just by looking through a spec sheet. The visual below should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the 550WP and GH1.

As you can see, both cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The 550WP due to its smaller sensor will make getting bokeh tougher and the Panasonic GH1 will provide you with greater detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots more aggressively.

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic GH1 sensor size comparison

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic GH1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic GH1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus 550WP
Portrait photography with Panasonic GH1
19
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
59
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus 550WP
Street photography with Panasonic GH1
61
has image stabilization (Digital)
environment sealing
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
72
screen can move to multiple angles
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus 550WP Sports photography details
Panasonic GH1 Sports photography details
30
has image stabilization (Digital)
environment sealing
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,000s)
no shutter priority mode
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
32
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
low fps (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery (320 per charge)
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus 550WP as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic GH1 as a Travel photography camera
55
environment sealing
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
58
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
lack of Timelapse function
terrible battery (320 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus 550WP Landscape photography advice
Panasonic GH1 Landscape photography advice
30
has image stabilization (Digital)
environment sealing
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.5")
no manual exposure
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
lack of Time Lapse mode
55
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
terrible battery (320 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus 550WP Vlogging information
Panasonic GH1 Vlogging information
25
has image stabilization (Digital)
wide angle not great (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of external mic support
72
selfie friendly screen
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external microphone socket
no image stabilization
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Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic GH1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus 550WP and Panasonic GH1
 Olympus Stylus 550WPPanasonic Lumix DMC-GH1
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus Stylus 550WP Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1
Also referred to as mju 550WP -
Type Small Sensor Compact Advanced Mirrorless
Announced 2009-01-07 2009-07-10
Physical type Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - Venus Engine HD
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 18.89 x 14.48mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 273.5mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 1600
Maximum boosted ISO - 3200
Min native ISO 64 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens focal range 38-114mm (3.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.0 -
Macro focus range 7cm -
Number of lenses - 107
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 2.5 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate - 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 10.50 m
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off, On Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 167 grams (0.37 lbs) 385 grams (0.85 lbs)
Physical dimensions 94 x 62 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") 124 x 90 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 1.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 64
DXO Color Depth score not tested 21.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.6
DXO Low light score not tested 772
Other
Battery life - 320 images
Battery type - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage xD-Picture Card, microSD, internal SD/SDHC
Card slots One One
Price at launch $399 $949