Olympus SH-1 vs Panasonic LX100: A Deep Dive into Two Distinct Compact Cameras

Choosing the right compact camera can be surprisingly tricky these days - not because of lack of options, but because the options serve very different purposes. Today, I’m putting the Olympus Stylus SH-1 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100 head-to-head. Both hail from the 2014 era but target distinct niches within the compact camera market. The SH-1 is your classic small sensor superzoom, while the LX100 ventures into large sensor premium compact territory. The question is: which fits your photographic style, needs, and budget?

Having spent countless hours testing cameras from pocket superzooms to heavyweight DSLRs, I always start by understanding where each model fits in the ecosystem and what compromises they make to deliver on their promises. Let’s unpack all that in detail.

First Impressions: Size, Handling, and Ergonomics

Looking at pure dimensions, the Olympus SH-1 is delightfully pocketable, measuring 109x63x42 mm and weighing just 271 grams with battery. The LX100 is noticeably chunkier at 115x66x55 mm and 393 grams - still compact but decidedly heftier and more substantial.

In practice, that size difference translates into how these cameras feel in hand and how long you can comfortably shoot without fatigue. The Olympus SH-1’s slim profile and light weight make it ideal for casual grab-and-go photography where you want minimal gear intruding on your day. Conversely, the LX100’s bulk is more in line with dedicated enthusiasts or pros wanting a serious street or travel companion with more direct controls and heft for stability.

From top down, the button layouts emphasize those philosophies:

The SH-1 embraces simplicity: fewer physical controls, no manual focus ring, and a fixed lens. The LX100 sports a prominent manual focus ring, dedicated dials for aperture, shutter speed, and exposure compensation - and an integrated electronic viewfinder (EVF) that the SH-1 simply doesn’t have.

If you’re someone who values tactile control and the feel of a traditional camera, the LX100 immediately feels more like a tool. The SH-1 feels more like a smart compact designed for quick snaps.

Imaging Sensors and What That Means for Your Photos

Arguably, the heart of any camera is its sensor, and here is where these two diverge starkly:

• Olympus SH-1: 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensor (6.17 x 4.55 mm, ~28.1 mm²), 16MP native resolution
• Panasonic LX100: Four Thirds (17.3 x 13 mm, ~225 mm²) CMOS sensor with 13MP native resolution (real-world output around 12MP for 4:3)

While the SH-1’s 1/2.3" sensor is a common size in point-and-shoot superzooms, it’s pushing the limits to deliver decent quality at 16MP across such a small surface area. This upscale in pixel density often sacrifices dynamic range and high ISO noise performance.

The LX100’s sensor is roughly eight times larger, belonging to the much more competent Four Thirds class. The slightly lower pixel count (13MP) is a trade-off to increase pixel size, boosting signal-to-noise ratio, dynamic range, and color fidelity.

In plain terms: the Panasonic LX100 can produce cleaner images with better gradation in challenging lighting - whether inside dim cafes or outdoors during golden hour. The Olympus SH-1 can excel in good daylight but will show its limitations in low light and highlight retention.

Lens Systems: Zoom Versatility vs. Bright Fast Glass

Both cameras come with fixed lenses, but their philosophies couldn’t be more different.

• Olympus SH-1: 25-600mm equivalent (24x zoom), aperture range f/3.0 to f/6.9
• Panasonic LX100: 24-75mm equivalent (3.1x zoom), aperture range f/1.7 to f/2.8

In other words, the SH-1 is the "Swiss army knife" model boasting a massive zoom to capture anything from wide landscapes to distant wildlife or sports - impressive for its size and category. The f/6.9 at the longest end is understandably slow, but the lens is stabilized with Olympus’s sensor-shift technology.

The LX100 keeps its zoom range much tighter but compensates with an extraordinarily fast and bright lens, especially commendable for a compact - a big advantage in low light and for creating shallow depth-of-field portraits or creative background blur.

Having tested these lenses side by side, I found the SH-1’s long zoom handy for travel and wildlife photo situations where swapping lenses isn’t an option and packing light is vital. But if you care about subject isolation, low light performance, and general image quality, the LX100’s upscale glass wins hands down.

What About Autofocus? Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

AF systems can make or break the user experience.

Both cameras rely on contrast-detection autofocus, meaning they lack phase detection points, which are faster and more precise for moving subjects. Yet, Panasonic’s Venus Engine processor and sophisticated algorithms give the LX100 a slight edge.

The SH-1 offers autofocus modes including touch AF, continuous, single, and tracking, with face detection but no animal eye detection. The LX100 has a more robust AF system featuring 49 focus points, face detection, and precise selective AF - again, no animal eye AF, unsurprising for their vintage.

In real-world tests:

• The SH-1’s AF can hunt a bit in low contrast or dimly lit environments and tends to lag behind fast-moving subjects - unsurprising, given the slower lens at long zoom and the tiny sensor.
• The LX100 tracks focus swiftly and accurately in most lighting conditions, though it struggles a bit with erratic movements or very fast sports.

For wildlife or sports photography enthusiasts, neither camera reaches pro-grade AF speeds - but the LX100 is the more reliable all-round performer for everyday street or casual sports shooting.

Screens and Viewfinders: Framing Made Easier

Neither camera is equipped with articulating screens - they both sport a fixed 3-inch LCD, but the LX100’s has more than double the resolution (921k vs. 460k dots).

Detail visibility is noticeably sharper on the LX100’s screen, which is a boon for focusing and composition accuracy outdoors. The SH-1’s screen is serviceable but can feel grainy or washed out in bright light.

Another major advantage: the LX100 has a built-in electronic viewfinder (2764 dots resolution, 100% coverage, 0.7x magnification). The SH-1 has no EVF at all.

For those working in direct sun, or wanting to stabilize shots by bracing the camera against their face, the LX100’s EVF dramatically improves usability. In contrast, the SH-1 forces you to rely on the rear LCD, which can be a challenge in bright conditions.

Image Quality In Practice: A Look at Real Photos

Olympus SH 1 front Olympus SH 1 screen back Panasonic LX100 front Panasonic LX100 screen back

Now, the acid test: image output. Having shot side-by-side in various environments, here’s what I confirmed:

• The SH-1’s images are sharp and vibrant in good daylight, though dynamic range is somewhat limited. Shadows clip sooner than desired, and noise becomes evident at ISO 800 and beyond. The long zoom lets you capture distant subjects, but be wary of softness and chromatic aberrations at telephoto settings.
• The LX100 delivers punchier colors and wider dynamic range, with much cleaner low light shots thanks to its large sensor and fast lens. The shallow depth-of-field achievable at f/1.7 sets it apart for portraits and creative work.

The absence of raw shooting on the SH-1 meaningfully limits post-processing flexibility. The LX100 supports raw files, essential for serious photographers who want to extract maximum detail and dynamic range in Lightroom or Capture One.

Let’s Talk Burst Rates and Video Capabilities

Continuous shooting is important if you chase fleeting moments - sports, wildlife, or lively street scenes.

• SH-1 boasts a faster burst at 12 fps (frames per second), impressive for a compact, but with less buffer depth and slower writing speeds.
• LX100 manages 11 fps, very close, and pairs it with a more responsive camera overall.

Both cameras offer full HD video at 1080p60, but LX100 steps up with 4K UHD video at 30p and 24p. It also supports 4K photo mode - letting you extract high-resolution stills from video clips, a neat tool for action or event shooters.

SH-1 limits video to 1080p max and lacks 4K, slightly behind the times even for 2014 standards.

Comfort, Battery, and Storage

Both cameras use rechargeable lithium-ion battery packs with modest capacities: 380 shots (SH-1) vs 300 shots (LX100) per charge, tested via CIPA standards.

Battery life on the SH-1 is generally better when shooting stills, thanks to smaller sensor and less processing load. The LX100’s higher-res EVF and 4K recording suck more juice in practice.

Both provide SD card slots supporting SDHC/SDXC standards, but the LX100 supports faster UHS-I cards, crucial for 4K video and fast continuous shooting.

Wireless and Connectivity: What About Sharing?

Modern convenience counts here.

Both cameras feature built-in Wi-Fi to transfer images to mobiles or trigger remote shooting. The LX100 tops the SH-1 by also supporting NFC, simplifying pairing with smartphones - a user-friendly plus.

Neither model includes Bluetooth or GPS functionality, which isn’t surprising given their vintage.

Ports-wise, both include mini HDMI and USB 2.0 interfaces, but only the SH-1 sports a microphone input jack, which may matter if you’re after better audio for video.

Durability and Weather Resistance

Neither camera offers weather sealing, waterproofing, or rugged coatings. Both are designed as consumer-level compacts, so keeping them dry and treating them with care is advisable.

Putting It All on the Table: Overall Performance Scores

If we translate all of this into an overall score spectrum (noting DxOMark doesn’t have SH-1 data, but LX100 scores 67 overall), the Panasonic LX100 beats the Olympus SH-1 on:

• Color depth and dynamic range (22.3 vs. untested but expected lower on SH-1)
• Low light ISO performance (553 vs. 6400 max ISO on SH-1, but quality suffers)
• Lens speed and sharpness
• Usability with EVF and manual controls

The SH-1 excels for:

• Maximum telephoto reach
• Battery efficiency
• Simplicity and portability

Matchmaking Cameras to Photography Styles

This genre-specific breakdown shows who each camera favors:

• Portraits: LX100 wins with fast lens and shallow depth-of-field capability. SH-1 struggles for background separation.
• Landscape: LX100's dynamic range and resolution are preferable; SH-1's zoom can be handy for faraway vistas but image quality suffers.
• Wildlife: SH-1’s long zoom useful, but AF and image quality lag LX100’s better sensor and faster AF.
• Sports: Neither camera truly shines, but SH-1 edge with slightly faster burst; LX100 more dependable in focus.
• Street photography: LX100's stealthy appearance, EVF, and quick controls take it. SH-1’s shape and lens make it more conspicuous.
• Macro: Both capable with 3cm focus range, LX100’s fast lens slightly better for creative depth-of-field.
• Night/Astro: LX100 is far superior due to sensor size, low noise, and higher ISO usability.
• Video: LX100 with 4K capabilities wins hands down.
• Travel: SH-1 wins on versatility via zoom and battery; LX100 offers superior image quality but needs more careful packing.
• Professional: LX100 better suited for backup or secondary compact due to superior image quality and raw support.

Who Should Buy Which Camera?

If you crave all-in-one superzoom capacity to capture everything from sweeping mountain vistas to distant birds, and you prefer a fuss-free, lightweight package, the Olympus SH-1 is a smart choice. It delivers respectable performance for casual photographers and travelers who prioritize reach over image quality nuances.

On the other hand, if your passion leans toward image quality, creative control, and you prize low light performance, video versatility, and a confident grip on exposure and focus, the Panasonic LX100 is a remarkable companion. It straddles the line between enthusiast compact and a lightweight professional tool. The trade-off is price (double that of the SH-1) and a smaller zoom range.

Final Thoughts

The Olympus SH-1 and Panasonic LX100 serve two different masters: the SH-1 is your versatile, casual, all-in-one superzoom friend, while the LX100 is the polished, creative powerhouse compact for those who want image quality and manual control in a pocketable body.

In my experience, few things sharpen your photography like mastering a camera that inspires you - whether because it’s always with you, or because it challenges you with control and quality. If budget and size compel, SH-1 still holds value; but if you can stretch for the LX100, you'll likely find your creative ambitions better satisfied.

Whichever you pick, both models highlight the spectrum of compact camera design philosophies back in the mid-2010s - where zoom and sensor size were competing forces, and manufacturers were learning to balance both.

Happy shooting!