Clicky

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic LZ40

Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26
Olympus Stylus 550WP front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40 front
Portability
67
Imaging
45
Features
35
Overall
41

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic LZ40 Key Specs

Olympus 550WP
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • 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
  • Also referred to as mju 550WP
Panasonic LZ40
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 22-924mm (F3.0-6.5) lens
  • 524g - 126 x 87 x 94mm
  • Announced January 2014
  • Previous Model is Panasonic LZ30
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic LZ40 Overview

The following is a in depth review of the Olympus 550WP versus Panasonic LZ40, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a crucial gap between the sensor resolutions of the 550WP (10MP) and LZ40 (20MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

The 550WP was introduced 6 years prior to the LZ40 which is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Olympus 550WP being a Compact camera and the Panasonic LZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before getting straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the 550WP matches up vs the LZ40 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus 550WP over the Panasonic LZ40

 550WP LZ40 

Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ40 over the Olympus 550WP

 LZ40 550WP 
AnnouncedJanuary 2014January 2009Newer by 60 months
Screen size3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus 550WP and Panasonic LZ40

 550WP LZ40 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic LZ40 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera, you'll need to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus 550WP offers physical 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 LZ40 has sizing of 126mm x 87mm x 94mm (5.0" x 3.4" x 3.7") and a weight of 524 grams (1.16 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus 550WP versus Panasonic LZ40 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are employing at that moment. Following is a front view scale comparison of the 550WP vs the LZ40.

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic LZ40 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the 550WP and LZ40 is 94 and 67 respectively.

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic LZ40 top view buttons comparison

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic LZ40 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be tough to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by checking specifications. The image here will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the 550WP and LZ40.

To sum up, both of those cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Panasonic LZ40 to give more detail using its extra 10 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The more aged 550WP is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic LZ40 sensor size comparison

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic LZ40 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic LZ40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus 550WP
Portrait photography with Panasonic LZ40
19
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
low megapixels (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
40
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
provides face detection focusing
no manual focus
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Street Comparison

Olympus 550WP as a Street photography camera
Panasonic LZ40 as a Street photography camera
61
image stabilization (Digital)
weather sealing
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
45
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
heavier than competition (524g)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Olympus 550WP Sports photography info
Panasonic LZ40 Sports photography info
30
image stabilization (Digital)
weather sealing
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,000 seconds)
lack of shutter priority mode
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
47
incredible zoom range (22-924mm 42.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus 550WP
Travel photography with Panasonic LZ40
55
weather sealing
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse recording
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
55
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (22mm)
long zoom (924mm)
no Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition (524g)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus 550WP as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic LZ40 as a Landscape photography camera
30
image stabilization (Digital)
weather sealing
lack of manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
no manual exposure
low megapixels (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Timelapse recording
44
reasonably wide (22mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
no manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
no Time Lapse mode
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus 550WP Vlogging advice
Panasonic LZ40 Vlogging advice
25
image stabilization (Digital)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have microphone jack
27
reasonably wide (22mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focusing
includes external mic jack
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
heavier than competition (524 grams)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic LZ40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus 550WP and Panasonic LZ40
 Olympus Stylus 550WPPanasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus Stylus 550WP Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40
Also called mju 550WP -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2009-01-07 2014-01-06
Body design Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 5152 x 3864
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Max boosted ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 64 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 38-114mm (3.0x) 22-924mm (42.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-5.0 f/3.0-6.5
Macro focus range 7cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 15 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shooting speed - 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 10.80 m
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off, On Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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) 524 grams (1.16 lb)
Physical dimensions 94 x 62 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") 126 x 87 x 94mm (5.0" x 3.4" x 3.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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
Battery life - 320 photographs
Battery format - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media xD-Picture Card, microSD, internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $399 $219