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Olympus SH-1 vs Panasonic SZ8

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
53
Overall
45
Olympus Stylus SH-1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36

Olympus SH-1 vs Panasonic SZ8 Key Specs

Olympus SH-1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 271g - 109 x 63 x 42mm
  • Announced March 2014
  • Replacement is Olympus SH-2
Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Introduced January 2014
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Olympus SH-1 vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview

The following is a thorough review of the Olympus SH-1 versus Panasonic SZ8, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SH-1 (16MP) and the SZ8 (16MP) is very close and both cameras provide the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SH-1 was announced 3 months after the SZ8 so they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going into a full comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the SH-1 scores versus the SZ8 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SH-1 over the Panasonic SZ8

 SH-1 SZ8 
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Olympus SH-1

 SZ8 SH-1 

Common features in the Olympus SH-1 and Panasonic SZ8

 SH-1 SZ8 
IntroducedMarch 2014January 2014Same age
Manual focus No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Display resolution460k460kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Olympus SH-1 vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to travel with your camera often, you will have to factor its weight and size. The Olympus SH-1 has got outside dimensions of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") and a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ8 has specifications of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Check the Olympus SH-1 versus Panasonic SZ8 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilising at the time. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the SH-1 and the SZ8.

Olympus SH-1 vs Panasonic SZ8 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the SH-1 and SZ8 is 88 and 94 respectively.

Olympus SH-1 vs Panasonic SZ8 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SH-1 vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is tough to visualise the difference in sensor dimensions only by researching specifications. The image below will provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SH-1 and SZ8.

To sum up, both of those cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the exact same resolution so you can expect comparable quality of images but you will want to factor the age of the cameras into account.

Olympus SH-1 vs Panasonic SZ8 sensor size comparison

Olympus SH-1 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SH-1 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SH-1 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography advice
37
MP count good (16 megapixels)
offers face detection focusing
no manual focus
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
35
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
includes face detection focusing
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SH-1 Street photography info
Panasonic SZ8 Street photography info
64
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has focus via touch
lighter than competitors in class (271 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (159g)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SH-1
Sports photography with Panasonic SZ8
51
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
better than average battery pack (380 per charge)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (200 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SH-1
Travel photography with Panasonic SZ8
74
better than average battery pack (380 shots)
lighter than competitors in class (271g)
has focus via touch
MP count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
67
lighter than competition (159 grams)
megapixel count good (16MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (24mm)
long reach (288mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
not so great battery pack (200 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SH-1 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography advice
49
quite wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16MP)
better than average battery pack (380 per charge)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
42
decently wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
not so great battery pack (200 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SH-1 Vlogging advice
Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging advice
37
quite wide (25mm)
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external microphone socket
lighter than competitors in class (271g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
32
decently wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focusing
lighter than competition (159 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic socket
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Olympus SH-1 vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SH-1 and Panasonic SZ8
 Olympus Stylus SH-1Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus Stylus SH-1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2014-03-31 2014-01-06
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VII Venus Engine
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 1600
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-288mm (12.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.1-6.3
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 8 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 12.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 5.20 m
Flash modes - Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 271 gr (0.60 lbs) 159 gr (0.35 lbs)
Physical dimensions 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 380 shots 200 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-92B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $349 $275