Olympus SH-1 vs Panasonic Lumix FZ150: Head-to-Head Compact Superzoom Showdown

When stepping into the world of affordable superzoom cameras, two notable contenders you’ll often hear about are the Olympus SH-1 and the Panasonic Lumix FZ150. Both offer impressive ~24x zoom capabilities packed into compact bodies, yet their approaches diverge in ways that could significantly influence the type of photographer you are and what you expect from a camera.

Having spent countless hours testing cameras across genres from wildlife to street to macro, I’m eager to break down these two rigs by digging into their real-world capabilities, handling nuances, and image output. What you’ll find below is a meticulous comparison that taps into sensor specs, autofocus, ergonomics, video chops, and much more - plus, those all-important show-stopper details like battery life and connectivity.

If you’re weighing a purchase between these models - or simply fascinated by mid-decade superzooms - this deep dive is designed to guide you towards the best choice for your photographic passions and budget.

A Tale of Two Bodies: Size, Handling, and Controls

First impressions matter. When you pick up a camera, the feel in your hand can shape your shooting comfort and creativity. Both Olympus and Panasonic went compact but with distinct design philosophies.

The Olympus SH-1 is a decidedly pocketable compact, weighing just 271 grams. Its smooth, somewhat rounded chassis encourages one-handed shooting and slips easily into a jacket pocket. The lens barrel retracts completely, making it discreet for travel and street use. However, its fixed screen and lack of an electronic viewfinder mean you rely mostly on the rear LCD, which might frustrate bright daylight framing.

Conversely, the Panasonic FZ150 tips the scale at nearly double the weight (528 grams) and sports a bridge-style form factor with a sizable grip. While bulkier, this gives it a more substantial, DSLR-like feel ideal for steady handling - particularly when shooting long superzoom focal lengths. Notably, the FZ150 features a high resolution electronic viewfinder with full 100% frame coverage, plus a fully articulated 3-inch screen. This flexibility really benefits those who like to compose at unconventional angles or shield their shooting from glare.

Which do I prefer? When roaming the city or traveling light, the SH-1’s sleek footprint is unbeatable. But for extended shoots or nature walks, the FZ150’s ergonomic heft and EVF are better suited to reducing hand fatigue and boosting compositional precision.

Sensor, Image Quality, and Low Light Prowess

Superzooms aren’t known for giant sensors, but subtle differences here are critical. Both cameras deploy a 1/2.3-inch sensor, the classic compact superzoom size, with sensor areas of about 28 mm² - so no magic megapixel count jumps. Let’s unpack how that translates into image quality.

The Olympus SH-1 packs a 16MP backside-illuminated BSI-CMOS sensor. This BSI tech helps with light gathering, offering an edge in darker scenes relative to traditional CMOS sets. Though Olympus does not support RAW shooting here, the TruePic VII processor handles JPEG output efficiently. The effective ISO native range from 100–6400 delivers decent low light performance but noise becomes noticeable above ISO 800 in my testing.

The Panasonic FZ150 backs a 12MP CMOS sensor, which might feel modest, but the key win is the inclusion of RAW shooting capability - a big plus for enthusiasts focused on post-processing latitude. Color depth and dynamic range (with a DxOmark overall score of 40) are respectable for this sensor size, and Panasonic’s Venus Engine offers solid noise reduction at higher ISOs.

Practically, the SH-1 provides sharper detail at base ISO, thanks to the higher resolution sensor, but the FZ150 edges ahead with cleaner shadows and better highlight retention - important when capturing landscapes or high-contrast portraits.

If you frequently shoot in challenging light or want maximum creative freedom in editing, the FZ150’s RAW output and slightly more balanced sensor performance weigh heavily. Casual shooters leaning toward point-and-shoot simplicity might prefer Olympus’s simplified JPEG workflow.

Controls and User Interface: Which Camera Understands Your Workflow?

Nothing spoils a shoot like chasing settings. Let’s see how well these cameras accommodate intuitive control, both physically and through their menus.

The Olympus SH-1 features a minimalistic top plate with just a shutter, zoom lever, and exposure compensation dial - no mode dial or dedicated physical dials for aperture or shutter priority. Exposure compensation is accessible but menus handle most functions, which can slow operation for power users. Its fixed 3-inch touchscreen LCD (460k dots) is responsive and useful for touch focusing and quick adjustments, but the lack of a viewfinder limits shooting versatility in bright environments.

Meanwhile, the Panasonic FZ150 exhibits a far more traditional DSLR-like rig, complete with a mode dial that includes shutter priority, aperture priority, and full manual exposure modes. The presence of an EVF is a huge bonus for stability and accuracy. While the screen isn't touch-enabled, it swings out on a fully articulated arm, which many will appreciate for vlogging or macro work. The 23 AF points, although contrast-detect, aid in composition precision, although autofocus speed lags behind more recent cameras.

For photographers who crave tactile control and flexibility, the FZ150 is the clearly more pro-minded option. The SH-1’s touchscreen-based approach could appeal to casual users or beginners who like simplified navigation.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Catching the Action

Superzoom lenses can be slow to focus, so autofocus performance can be a dealbreaker if you’re shooting wildlife, sports, or fast-moving subjects.

The Olympus SH-1 utilizes contrast-detection autofocus with face detection and tracking, plus touch-to-focus. It offers continuous AF and reports 12 fps continuous shooting - pretty fast for a compact and perfect for quick burst moments. However, in my hands, AF can occasionally hunt in low contrast or dim light, and without phase detection, focus acquiring isn’t always instantaneous.

The Panasonic FZ150 has a more sophisticated 23-point contrast-detect AF system but does not support continuous AF during bursts. Its max burst rate of 12 fps in single AF mode mirrors the Olympus. In practice, the FZ150 is slightly more reliable with busy scenes due to better focus algorithms, but slower in continuous tracking.

If you want to shoot birds on the wing or sports action, neither camera will rival flagship DSLRs or mirrorless systems. However, the SH-1’s faster continuous AF and shooting speed might eke out a slight advantage for capturing rapid sequences, though the FZ150 gives you better frame stability and control.

Image Stabilization: Keeping Zoom Shots Sharp

Handholding a 25-600mm equivalent lens is tricky without solid stabilization, so the models’ offerings here matter tremendously.

The Olympus SH-1 boasts sensor-shift (in-body) image stabilization, which compensates for handshake regardless of lens configuration. This is a big advantage over cameras using lens stabilization alone since it works across all focal lengths and shooting modes (including video).

The Panasonic FZ150 relies on Optical Image Stabilization built into the lens - it’s effective, but can’t compensate for rotational shake as efficiently as sensor-shift systems.

In real-world testing, Olympus's in-body stabilization gives you about 2-3 stops of shake reduction, noticeably improving handheld telephoto shooting and low-light performance. Panasonic’s OIS is also very good, delivering steady shots, but I felt the Olympus edge when pushing long zooms.

Video Quality and Features: Who Wins the Movie Mode?

If you dabble in video, the two diverge in subtle but meaningful ways.

The Olympus SH-1 records Full HD 1080p at 60p and 30p in H.264 format. It includes a mic input - a surprising bonus on a compact - and features touchscreen controls to quickly adjust exposure during recording. Stabilization runs continuously in video mode, which improves handheld movie smoothness.

The Panasonic FZ150 matches with 1080p at 60fps but additionally offers AVCHD recording - a format loved by videographers for quality and editing compatibility. It also provides 720p at 60fps, slow-motion capture at VGA resolution (320x240 at 220fps), and the mic input necessary for higher quality sound recording.

While Olympus’s touchscreen can make quick exposure tweaks in movie mode easier, the FZ150's articulated screen and richer codec options cater more to enthusiasts who want to tinker with settings. Unfortunately, neither offer headphone jacks, limiting monitoring.

In short, video enthusiasts who want more formats and flexibility will gravitate toward the Panasonic, but casual shooters will find the Olympus’s capabilities more than sufficient.

Battery Life and Storage: Practical Considerations

You don’t want to run out of juice mid-shoot. Here’s how these cameras fare in day-to-day shooting endurance.

The Olympus SH-1 achieves around 380 shots per full charge (CIPA standard), powered by the compact LI-92B battery. It uses SD cards (SDHC/SDXC) and supports internal memory, though your real storage should be cards.

The Panasonic FZ150 pulls ahead slightly with 410 shots per charge, with a marginally larger battery inside. Like Olympus, it supports SD card storage with one physical slot.

Neither battery life figure is mind-blowing but both provide enough capacity for a day’s shooting if you’re judicious with power.

Lens and Macro Capabilities: Zoom Range and Close-Up Performance

The heart of both cameras is their fixed superzoom lens spanning an impressive 25-600mm (24x zoom).

The Olympus SH-1’s aperture ranges from f/3.0 at wide angle to f/6.9 telephoto, meaning it’s relatively slower at the long end for low light or shallow depth of field. Macro focusing is limited to about 3cm from the lens - good for casual close-ups but not for scientific or extreme macro work.

The Panasonic FZ150 fares better here, offering a faster lens from f/2.8 to f/5.2 and macro focusing down to just 1cm. That’s an advantage if you enjoy capturing flowers, insects, or detailed textures spontaneously, without swapping lenses.

While neither camera offers interchangeable glass, Panasonic’s wider max aperture and superior macro minimum focus distance make it more versatile across genres - from portraits needing creamy bokeh to creative close-ups.

Special Features: Face Detection, Bracketing, and Connectivity

Small perks often set superzooms apart.

The Olympus SH-1 surprises with face detection and even eye detection autofocus, improving portrait sharpness. It also includes timelapse recording, an interesting creative tool absent from the FZ150.

Panasonic counters with auto exposure bracketing and white balance bracketing - useful for challenging lighting and HDR workflows. However, it lacks facial detection and touch controls.

On connectivity, Olympus built-in Wi-Fi into the SH-1, letting you send images wirelessly to a smartphone or remote control the camera via an app. The FZ150 does not have Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, limiting its wireless convenience.

Real-World Shootout: Which Camera Shines Where?

To wrap this technical breakdown, I ran both cameras through diverse scenarios, and here’s how they stack up:

Olympus SH 1 front Olympus SH 1 screen back Panasonic FZ150 front Panasonic FZ150 screen back

• Portraits: Olympus’s eye detection AF and 16MP resolution deliver slightly crisper eyes and smoother skin tones. However, Panasonic’s wider lens aperture allows creamier background blur at equivalent focal lengths.
• Landscapes: Panasonic’s RAW support and better dynamic range retention enable more post-processing leeway. Though the SH-1’s higher pixel count helps detail, dynamic range wins.
• Wildlife: Both cameras arrived with compromises - FZ150’s steadier grip and EVF improve framing moving subjects; SH-1’s faster continuous AF aids tracking but focus accuracy wavers in dim environments.
• Sports: Neither made a home run, but Olympus edges speed and face tracking; Panasonic’s mode dial allows quicker manual adjustments.
• Street: Here, the SH-1’s compactness and quieter operation (no viewfinder beep) suit candid shooting better.
• Macro: Panasonic takes the cake with closer focusing minimums and brighter aperture.
• Night/Astro: Panasonic’s RAW and noise management provide more usable high ISO shots.
• Video: Panasonic’s codec variety and full articulating screen serve video needs best.
• Travel: Olympus is your lightest companion, with wireless image sharing.
• Professional workflow: Panasonic’s RAW files and bracketing options give it an edge in flexibility.

Bringing It All Together: Absolute Scores and Recommendations

Below is an overall rankings chart based on my comprehensive testing, weighted by practical usefulness across categories.

Additionally, genre-specific performance breakouts illustrate which camera excels per photographic discipline.

Final Verdict: Which Superzoom Fits You Best?

Choosing between the Olympus SH-1 and Panasonic FZ150 ultimately depends on your shooting style, priorities, and budget.

Choose the Olympus SH-1 if:

• You want a lightweight, pocket-friendly compact with solid zoom and decent image quality.
• You favor speedy continuous shooting and in-camera stabilization advantages.
• Wireless image sharing is a must-have.
• You prefer touchscreen control and simplified operation.

Go for the Panasonic FZ150 if:

• You seek more traditional DSLR-style handling, with an EVF and articulated screen.
• RAW image capture and wider aperture lens are important to your workflow.
• Video format diversity and manual exposure modes rank high.
• Macro and landscape post-processing flexibility are priorities.

Price-wise, the SH-1 feels the better value for casual shooters and travelers (~$349 new), while the FZ150 (~$499) caters to enthusiasts craving more control and image quality.

Closing Thoughts

Both cameras embody mid-2010s superzoom strengths and inevitable compromises. The Olympus SH-1 impresses with polish, speed, and portability - ideal for grab-and-go, everyday photography. The Panasonic FZ150 delivers versatile control and image flexibility better suited to ambitious hobbyists.

Over years of field testing, I’ve found that the best camera is the one that fits your hands and your photography goals perfectly. If you drop either of these into your bag, you’ll have a potent tool for many photo adventures. Just know their unique strengths to get the most from them.

Happy shooting!