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Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic SZ1

Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26
Olympus Stylus 550WP front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic SZ1 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
  • Released January 2009
  • Additionally Known as mju 550WP
Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Introduced January 2012
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Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic SZ1 Overview

Here, we will be contrasting the Olympus 550WP versus Panasonic SZ1, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Olympus and Panasonic. There is a sizable difference between the sensor resolutions of the 550WP (10MP) and SZ1 (16MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The 550WP was launched 4 years prior to the SZ1 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a brief view of how the 550WP matches up versus the SZ1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus 550WP over the Panasonic SZ1

 550WP SZ1 

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Olympus 550WP

 SZ1 550WP 
IntroducedJanuary 2012January 2009Newer by 36 months
Screen size3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")

Common features in the Olympus 550WP and Panasonic SZ1

 550WP SZ1 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic SZ1 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to travel with your camera, you will have to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus 550WP features exterior measurements of 94mm x 62mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ1 has measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs).

Look at the Olympus 550WP versus Panasonic SZ1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are working with at the time. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the 550WP vs the SZ1.

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic SZ1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the 550WP and SZ1 is 94 and 95 respectively.

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic SZ1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic SZ1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's hard to visualize the difference between sensor dimensions merely by reading through specifications. The pic here will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the 550WP and SZ1.

To sum up, each of these cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different resolution. You can expect the Panasonic SZ1 to give you extra detail utilizing its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The more aged 550WP is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic SZ1 sensor size comparison

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus 550WP Portrait photography information
Panasonic SZ1 Portrait photography information
19
lack of manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
34
decent megapixels (16MP)
supports face detect focus
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus 550WP
Street photography with Panasonic SZ1
61
image stabilization (Digital)
environment proof
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (131g)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus 550WP
Sports photography with Panasonic SZ1
30
image stabilization (Digital)
environment proof
max shutter speed is low (1/1,000 seconds)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
40
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
supports tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus 550WP Travel photography features
Panasonic SZ1 Travel photography features
55
environment proof
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
megapixel count low (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
70
lighter than competition (131g)
decent megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
very long reach (250mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus 550WP Landscape photography factors
Panasonic SZ1 Landscape photography factors
30
image stabilization (Digital)
environment proof
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.5")
no manual control
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse function
43
rather wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
no manual focus
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus 550WP
Vlogging with Panasonic SZ1
25
image stabilization (Digital)
wide angle not good (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have microphone jack
32
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
lighter than competition (131g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic support
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Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic SZ1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus 550WP and Panasonic SZ1
 Olympus Stylus 550WPPanasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus Stylus 550WP Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
Also referred to as mju 550WP -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2009-01-07 2012-01-09
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 64 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 38-114mm (3.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.5-5.0 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing range 7cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.5" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 8s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate - 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 5.60 m
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off, On Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic support
Headphone support
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 167 grams (0.37 lbs) 131 grams (0.29 lbs)
Physical dimensions 94 x 62 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
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
Battery life - 250 photos
Battery style - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type xD-Picture Card, microSD, internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $399 $179