Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic GX1: A Deep-Dive Comparison for the Discerning Photographer

In today’s crowded camera landscape, choosing the optimal tool means balancing countless specs, real-world performance nuances, and personal shooting preferences. On one side, we have the Olympus Stylus 550WP - a rugged, compact shooter heralded for its durability and pocketability. On the other, Panasonic’s Lumix DMC-GX1 - a mirrorless entry-level powerhouse offering greater creative control and significantly enhanced imaging capabilities. Having spent extensive hands-on time with both, I’m excited to unpack how these two cameras compare across genres, technologies, and usability to help you zero in on which fits your photographic ambitions best.

Getting Physical: Design and Handling

First impressions count, and these two cameras couldn’t be more physically distinct. The Olympus 550WP is a svelte small-sensor compact camera, designed explicitly for easy carry and tough environments. Measuring just 94 x 62 x 22 mm and weighing a mere 167 grams, it’s an excellent grab-and-go option that slips comfortably into a pocket or glove compartment. Its slim profile and simple button layout make for quick operation when you don’t want to fumble.

In contrast, the Panasonic GX1 is a decidedly larger and heavier rangefinder-style mirrorless camera - at 116 x 68 x 39 mm and 318 grams - almost double the weight of the Olympus 550WP. The GX1’s form factor feels substantial and more camera-like, offering a better grip and control system suitable for extended use in varied shooting conditions.

Ergonomically, the GX1 is a more traditional camera experience: dedicated dials for shutter speed and exposure compensation, a larger screen, and a customizable multi-control dial make manual adjustments fluid. The Olympus 550WP’s compact nature, however, limits physical controls - lacking dedicated exposure modes, manual focus, or shutter priority. Handling is simplified to mostly point-and-shoot.

This disparity extends to user interfaces: the GX1 features a 3-inch touchscreen LCD with a high 460k-dot resolution, whereas the Olympus sports a smaller, lower resolution 2.5-inch fixed screen with just 230k dots and no touch capability.

The Olympus’s rugged body sports environmental sealing which protects against splashes, dust, and minor impacts - making it a worthy companion for outdoor adventures where weather conditions are not ideal. The GX1, however, offers no such weather sealing, focusing instead on a versatile design that prioritizes image quality and system flexibility.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Small Sensor vs. Micro Four Thirds

A fundamental distinction between these cameras lies in their sensor technology and size - a critical factor that cascades down into image quality, ISO performance, and creative latitude.

The Olympus 550WP features a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor with 10 megapixels, physically small at 6.08 x 4.56 mm, covering roughly 27.7 mm². This sensor size is typical for compact cameras of its era, favoring convenience but inherently limiting low-light capability, dynamic range, and finer detail rendition.

On the other hand, the Panasonic GX1 houses a substantially larger Four Thirds CMOS sensor measuring 17.3 x 13 mm, around 224.9 mm² - more than eight times the surface area of the Olympus. Its 16-megapixel resolution strikes a practical balance between resolution and noise control, resulting in sharper, cleaner images with richer tonal gradations.

In real-world testing, this sensor difference manifests clearly. The Panasonic GX1 delivers punchier colors with higher saturation fidelity and markedly better noise handling at moderate to high ISOs. The native ISO range up to 12800 enables usable low-light capture that the Olympus’s maximum ISO 1600 struggles to match without significant noise.

Differences in sensor design - CCD vs. CMOS - also affect performance. The GX1 benefits from advanced CMOS-related features, including faster readout speeds and reduced rolling shutter distortion, enhancing not just still image quality but also video and burst shooting.

Autofocus Clarity: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

While specs can provide numbers, autofocus systems often reveal character only after hours of fieldwork. The Olympus 550WP’s autofocus relies on contrast detection with a single focus point and no face or eye detection, geared towards straightforward snapshots.

In contrast, the Panasonic GX1 employs a sophisticated contrast-detect AF system with 23 selectable focus points, multi-area modes, and real-time face detection. The usability edge here is palpable: the GX1 locks focus swiftly and accurately across diverse scenes - from fast-moving street subjects to more static portraits.

For wildlife or sports photographers, this makes a world of difference. The GX1 supports continuous AF tracking at reasonable burst speeds (4 fps), allowing you to keep your subject tack-sharp through action sequences. The Olympus 550WP has no continuous AF or burst shooting mode, limiting its utility in dynamic shooting scenarios.

Lens Ecosystem and Optical Versatility

An often-overlooked strength of the GX1 is its compatibility with the expansive Micro Four Thirds lens lineup. Panasonic’s ecosystem, complemented by Olympus and third-party lenses, offers over 100 autofocus lenses ranging from ultra wide-angle primes to long telephotos and macro optics.

This flexibility enables photographers to optimize equipment depending on genre - be it a 25mm f/1.4 prime for low light portraiture or a 100-300mm zoom for wildlife safari shoots. Conversely, the 550WP’s fixed 38-114 mm (35mm equivalent roughly 220-667 mm) zoom lens, while versatile for walkaround use, is compromised on maximum aperture (f/3.5-5.0) and lacks the sharpness and options available in interchangeable lens systems.

This physical lens limitation is one reason why the Olympus appeals mostly to casual shooters needing simple all-in-one cameras, while the GX1 fits more ambitious users seeking system expandability.

User Interface and Controls: Balancing Simplicity and Precision

The Olympus 550WP’s user interface is minimalistic, focusing on straightforward operation. It primarily offers Auto and basic flash modes without exposure compensation or manual settings. White balance tuning is absent, and there’s no raw shooting support, confining image editing latitude.

By contrast, Panasonic GX1 shines with a robust interface featuring manual exposure modes (aperture/shutter priority and full manual), selectable AF areas, bracketing options, and custom white balance. The touchscreen interface adds intuitive control over focus points and playback zoom.

While the Olympus’s simplicity reduces the learning curve, it handcuffs creative photographers wanting granular control for complex lighting or artistic effects. The GX1, despite being entry-level among mirrorless cameras, includes enough features to satisfy both novices and intermediate users.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity Considerations

Battery endurance is often a litmus test for on-the-go use. The Panasonic GX1’s battery life is estimated at around 300 shots per charge, consistent with mirrorless standards and sufficient for day trips or casual shoots. The Olympus 550WP’s battery specifics aren’t explicitly listed, but typical compact cameras of its generation could expect roughly similar shot counts, given smaller sensor and simpler processors.

Both cameras use proprietary rechargeable battery packs, with the GX1 using a rechargeable lithium-ion Battery Pack (model specifics vary). Storage-wise, the Olympus relies on xD-Picture Card, microSD, or internal storage options - a bit dated and less widespread today. The GX1 uses SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, the dominant and standard medium for most digital cameras providing ample capacity and speed.

Regarding connectivity, neither camera offers wireless features like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, reflecting their release era. The GX1 does include an HDMI port for external display and USB 2.0 for tethered use and data transfer - a handy addition absent on the Olympus 550WP.

Photographing in Different Genres: Strengths and Weaknesses

Photography is multifaceted, and deciding between these cameras hinges on your preferred genres and practical needs. Here’s a breakdown by popular photography types:

Portraiture: Skin Tones, Bokeh, and Eye Detection

The Panasonic GX1’s larger sensor and lens choices offer distinctly better portrait results. Its face detection AF enables sharper eyes, pleasing skin tone reproduction, and more natural background blur thanks to faster lenses. The Olympus's fixed modest aperture and lack of face detection mean portraits look flatter, more snapshot-like, with less subject isolation.

Landscape: Resolution, Dynamic Range, and Weather Sealing

Here’s an interesting split. The Olympus 550WP holds the advantage with its built-in environmental sealing - impacting dust and water resistance. This makes it suitable for hiking or beach shooting in less-than-ideal conditions without fear of damage.

However, the GX1 delivers far superior resolution (16 MP vs. 10 MP) and dynamic range, capturing more detail in shadows/highlights essential for expansive landscapes. Its high-quality lens options further elevate detail and contrast. The GX1’s lack of weather sealing calls for more caution in inclement conditions.

Wildlife and Sports: Autofocus Speed, Burst Rate, Telephoto Reach

Unsurprisingly, the GX1 dominates this realm thanks to its faster continuous AF tracking, burst shooting modes, and access to long telephoto lenses. While the Olympus’s equivalent focal range extends to telephoto, its sluggish AF and absence of continuous shooting constrains use.

Street Photography: Discreteness, Low Light, Portability

The Olympus’s pocket-friendly size and lightweight build make it ideal on the street for minimal intrusion and swift candid shots. Its decent sensor performs reasonably in well-lit scenes, but struggles in low light.

The GX1, while more conspicuous, balances compactness with enhanced low-light performance. Its faster lenses and ISO range can handle night streets better, albeit at slightly greater bulk.

Macro Photography: Magnification, Focus Precision, Stabilization

The Olympus offers a close focusing distance of 7 cm, decent for casual macro snaps. Meanwhile, the GX1’s lens adaptability includes macro-specific optics delivering greater magnification and autofocus precision.

Notably, the Olympus 550WP’s stabilization is digital and limited, whereas the GX1 depends on lens-based stabilization where available, generally providing superior shake reduction.

Night and Astro Photography: ISO Handling and Exposure Controls

When shooting under stars or long exposures, the GX1’s ability to shoot at high ISO with low noise and manual exposure modes gives it a clear edge. The Olympus’s ISO ceiling of 1600 and lack of manual controls curtail such creative long exposures.

Video Capabilities: Resolution, Stabilization, and Audio

The GX1 supports 1080p Full HD video at 60 fps with AVCHD and MPEG-4 formats, offering flexibility between quality and compression. Manual exposure control during recording and a higher resolution screen aid video composition.

The Olympus 550WP is limited to VGA resolution (640 x 480) at 30 fps using Motion JPEG - a far cry from modern HD standards, making it more of an occasional video grabber.

Neither camera features microphone or headphone ports, limiting professional audio recording options.

Travel Photography: Versatility, Battery Life, and Weight

If travel means packing light and trusting a rugged, splash-proof compact, the Olympus 550WP fits perfectly. Its minimal size and weather sealing make it a no-fuss companion for spontaneous trips, although image quality won’t rival larger-sensor systems.

For a travel setup where image quality and creative control take precedence, and you don’t mind a bit of extra bulk, the GX1 is a smarter choice - especially with the right compact zoom or prime lenses.

Professional Use: Reliability, File Formats, and Workflow Integration

The GX1’s support for RAW files facilitates post-processing flexibility essential for pros. It offers bracketing, custom white balance, and exposure compensation - keys to professional workflows.

The Olympus 550WP’s JPEG-only output and limited modes make it less suitable for demanding pro tasks but potentially useful as a rugged backup or casual camera.

Overall Performance and Ratings: Numbers Don’t Lie

Of course, seeing numbers side-by-side helps anchor impressions.

The Panasonic GX1 consistently outperforms the Olympus 550WP across image quality, autofocus, and feature sets. DxOMark’s testing assigns the GX1 an overall score near 55 points, with strong color depth (20.8 bits), dynamic range (10.6 EV), and low-light ISO (703). Olympus 550WP was not tested in DxOMark, but its sensor class generally scores much lower.

Genre-specific scoring emphasizes the GX1’s superiority in portraits, landscapes, and action photography. The Olympus’s strength lies in rugged use and portability.

Sample Images: Seeing Is Believing

Olympus 550WP front Olympus 550WP screen back Panasonic GX1 front Panasonic GX1 screen back

Visual comparisons clearly highlight the GX1’s superior sharpness, color accuracy, dynamic range, and low-light usability. Olympus pictures tend to show more noise, muted colors, and less detail - expected from a compact with a smaller sensor and basic optics.

Verdict: Who Should Buy Which?

We’ve covered a lot of ground, so let’s crystallize the takeaways:

Buy the Olympus Stylus 550WP if you

• Prioritize ultra-compact, splash-resistant design for travel or outdoor adventures
• Need a simple, point-and-shoot camera with basic controls
• Shoot primarily in good lighting and casual scenarios
• Have a limited budget or want a rugged secondary camera without fuss

Buy the Panasonic Lumix GX1 if you

• Want significantly better image quality with a larger Micro Four Thirds sensor
• Desire creative control including manual exposure, RAW support, and fast autofocus
• Demand flexibility with interchangeable lenses for varied styles including portraits, landscapes, and action
• Shoot video seriously at Full HD resolution
• Are comfortable with a slightly larger camera body for the performance gains

In essence, this comparison underscores the gulf between classic rugged compacts and the early generation mirrorless cameras. The Olympus 550WP is a commendable all-weather shooter for simple use, but the GX1 offers a more future-proof system for serious photography.

As a longtime tester who’s logged thousands of hours behind many cameras, I recommend making your decision firmly based on your shooting priorities, as their design philosophies cater to distinctly different photographic lifestyles.

Hope this thorough comparison helps you make an informed choice and furthers your photographic journey.

Happy shooting!