Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic SZ10

On this page, we will be comparing the Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic SZ10, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Olympus and Panasonic. There is a sizeable difference among the resolutions of the 550WP (10MP) and SZ10 (16MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The 550WP was introduced 7 years prior to the SZ10 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting into a more detailed comparison, here is a concise view of how the 550WP scores against the SZ10 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus Stylus 550WP and Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ10. The whole galleries are available at Olympus 550WP Gallery and Panasonic SZ10 Gallery.

In case you're planning to carry around your camera often, you will want to factor its weight and size. The Olympus 550WP has outside 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 SZ10 has specifications of 99mm x 60mm x 30mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.2") having a weight of 177 grams (0.39 lbs).

See the Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic SZ10 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have attached at the time. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the 550WP vs the SZ10.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the 550WP and SZ10 is 94 and 93 respectively.

Often, it is hard to envision the difference in sensor sizes merely by seeing a spec sheet. The image below should offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the 550WP and SZ10.

Clearly, both of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Panasonic SZ10 to produce extra detail using its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more aged 550WP will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.