Olympus SH-1 vs Panasonic FH20

The following is a comprehensive overview of the Olympus SH-1 and Panasonic FH20, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SH-1 (16MP) and the FH20 (14MP) is fairly comparable and they enjoy the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SH-1 was manufactured 4 years after the FH20 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting in to a complete comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the SH-1 scores versus the FH20 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus Stylus SH-1 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20. The entire galleries are viewable at Olympus SH-1 Gallery and Panasonic FH20 Gallery.

When you are looking to travel with your camera, you should think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus SH-1 has exterior measurements of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") having a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs) while the Panasonic FH20 has measurements of 100mm x 56mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.1") having a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus SH-1 and Panasonic FH20 in the all 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 during that time. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the SH-1 compared to the FH20.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SH-1 and FH20 is 88 and 93 respectively.

Sometimes, it can be difficult to picture the difference in sensor dimensions purely by going through a spec sheet. The picture here will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SH-1 and FH20.

As you can see, both of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different megapixels. You should anticipate the Olympus SH-1 to produce greater detail due to its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop images somewhat more aggressively. The fresher SH-1 provides an advantage in sensor technology.