Clicky

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic L1

Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26
Olympus Stylus 550WP front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 front
Portability
65
Imaging
41
Features
38
Overall
39

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic L1 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
  • Alternate Name is mju 550WP
Panasonic L1
(Full Review)
  • 7MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 606g - 146 x 87 x 77mm
  • Announced April 2007
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic L1 Overview

In this article, we will be reviewing the Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic L1, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by brands Olympus and Panasonic. There is a sizeable difference among the image resolutions of the 550WP (10MP) and L1 (7MP) and the 550WP (1/2.3") and L1 (Four Thirds) come with totally different sensor sizes.

Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

The 550WP was announced 22 months after the L1 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus 550WP being a Compact camera and the Panasonic L1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving through a full comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the 550WP matches up versus the L1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus 550WP over the Panasonic L1

 550WP L1 
AnnouncedJanuary 2009April 2007More modern by 22 months
Screen resolution230k207kCrisper screen (+23k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic L1 over the Olympus 550WP

 L1 550WP 
Manual focus Very accurate focus

Common features in the Olympus 550WP and Panasonic L1

 550WP L1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing2.5"2.5"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic L1 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry around your camera regularly, you will want to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus 550WP has got external measurements of 94mm x 62mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs) and the Panasonic L1 has measurements of 146mm x 87mm x 77mm (5.7" x 3.4" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 606 grams (1.34 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic L1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are working with during that time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the 550WP vs the L1.

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic L1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the 550WP and L1 is 94 and 65 respectively.

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic L1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic L1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes simply by viewing technical specs. The pic here might offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the 550WP and L1.

As you have seen, both of the cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The 550WP with its smaller sensor will make achieving shallower DOF harder and the Olympus 550WP will provide you with extra detail with its extra 3MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures far more aggressively. The more modern 550WP is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic L1 sensor size comparison

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic L1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic L1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus 550WP Portrait photography factors
Panasonic L1 Portrait photography factors
19
no manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
MP count low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
54
focusing manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (7MP)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus 550WP
Street photography with Panasonic L1
61
has image stabilization (Digital)
weather proofing
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
58
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
lighter than others in class (606g)
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Sports Comparison

Olympus 550WP Sports photography information
Panasonic L1 Sports photography information
30
has image stabilization (Digital)
weather proofing
low max shutter speed (1/1,000s)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
40
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
max frames per second low (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (7MP)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Travel Comparison

Olympus 550WP Travel photography advice
Panasonic L1 Travel photography advice
55
weather proofing
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
MP count low (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
50
lighter than others in class (606g)
built-in flash
missing Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (7MP)
does not contain selfie friendly display
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus 550WP
Landscape photography with Panasonic L1
30
has image stabilization (Digital)
weather proofing
no manual focus
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.5 inch)
no manual control
MP count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse mode
47
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
tiny screen (2.5")
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (7MP)
missing Timelapse function
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus 550WP Vlogging information
Panasonic L1 Vlogging information
25
has image stabilization (Digital)
wide angle not great (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have microphone port
9
can't shoot video
Photography Glossary

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic L1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus 550WP and Panasonic L1
 Olympus Stylus 550WPPanasonic Lumix DMC-L1
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus Stylus 550WP Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1
Also called as mju 550WP -
Type Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Released 2009-01-07 2007-04-11
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 7MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3648 x 2736 3136 x 2352
Maximum native ISO 1600 1600
Min native ISO 64 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 3
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens zoom range 38-114mm (3.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.0 -
Macro focusing distance 7cm -
Amount of lenses - 45
Crop factor 5.9 2.1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.5 inches 2.5 inches
Display resolution 230k dot 207k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.46x
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed - 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 13.00 m
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off, On Auto, Red-Eye Auto, On, Red-Eye On, Red-Eye Slow Sync, Off, Slow Sync (1&2)
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 640x480 None
Video data format Motion JPEG -
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 167g (0.37 lbs) 606g (1.34 lbs)
Dimensions 94 x 62 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") 146 x 87 x 77mm (5.7" x 3.4" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Self timer Yes (12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage xD-Picture Card, microSD, internal SD/MMC card
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $399 $1,500