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Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic ZS1

Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26
Olympus Stylus 550WP front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
25
Overall
29

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic ZS1 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
  • Introduced January 2009
  • Additionally referred to as mju 550WP
Panasonic ZS1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Revealed May 2009
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ6
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Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic ZS1 Overview

Below, we will be reviewing the Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic ZS1, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the 550WP (10MP) and the ZS1 (10MP) is pretty comparable but the 550WP (1/2.3") and ZS1 (1/2.5") come with totally different sensor size.

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The 550WP was released 4 months prior to the ZS1 and they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a full comparison, below is a simple view of how the 550WP grades versus the ZS1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus 550WP over the Panasonic ZS1

 550WP ZS1 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS1 over the Olympus 550WP

 ZS1 550WP 
Screen dimension2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Olympus 550WP and Panasonic ZS1

 550WP ZS1 
RevealedJanuary 2009May 2009Same age
Manually focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic ZS1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry your camera, you'll have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus 550WP comes with outer measurements of 94mm x 62mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS1 has dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Look at the Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic ZS1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you select at that moment. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the 550WP compared to the ZS1.

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic ZS1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the 550WP and ZS1 is 94 and 91 respectively.

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic ZS1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic ZS1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very difficult to see the contrast in sensor sizing just by seeing technical specs. The graphic underneath will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the 550WP and ZS1.

As you have seen, the two cameras posses the exact same MP albeit not the same sensor sizing. The 550WP includes the bigger sensor which should make obtaining shallower depth of field simpler.

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic ZS1 sensor size comparison

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic ZS1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic ZS1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus 550WP as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS1 as a Portrait photography camera
19
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
25
includes face detect autofocus
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
low resolution (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.5")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus 550WP Street photography details
Panasonic ZS1 Street photography details
61
has image stabilization (Digital)
environment sealing
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (229 grams)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.5")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus 550WP as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS1 as a Sports photography camera
30
has image stabilization (Digital)
environment sealing
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,000s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
24
image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
low resolution (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.5")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus 550WP Travel photography information
Panasonic ZS1 Travel photography information
55
environment sealing
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
63
lighter than others in class (229 grams)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
long zoom (300mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
low resolution (10MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus 550WP as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS1 as a Landscape photography camera
30
has image stabilization (Digital)
environment sealing
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
lack of manual mode
sensor resolution low (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
31
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7")
manual mode not possible
low resolution (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.5")
no RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus 550WP Vlogging advice
Panasonic ZS1 Vlogging advice
25
has image stabilization (Digital)
wide angle not good (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have mic socket
31
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect autofocus
lighter than others in class (229g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of microphone support
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Olympus 550WP vs Panasonic ZS1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus 550WP and Panasonic ZS1
 Olympus Stylus 550WPPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus Stylus 550WP Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1
Also referred to as mju 550WP Lumix DMC-TZ6
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2009-01-07 2009-05-14
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.5"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 5.744 x 4.308mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 24.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 64 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 38-114mm (3.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.0 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus range 7cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 6.3
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.5 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate - 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off, On Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 640x480
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 167g (0.37 lb) 229g (0.50 lb)
Dimensions 94 x 62 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
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
Self timer Yes (12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type xD-Picture Card, microSD, internal SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $399 $0