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Olympus SH-1 vs Panasonic ZS45

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
53
Overall
45
Olympus Stylus SH-1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45 front
Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
55
Overall
46

Olympus SH-1 vs Panasonic ZS45 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
  • Introduced March 2014
  • Newer Model is Olympus SH-2
Panasonic ZS45
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 249g - 108 x 60 x 32mm
  • Launched January 2015
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ57
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS40
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS50
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Olympus SH-1 vs Panasonic ZS45 Overview

In this write-up, we will be reviewing the Olympus SH-1 vs Panasonic ZS45, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SH-1 (16MP) and the ZS45 (16MP) is pretty well matched and they possess the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SH-1 was launched 9 months before the ZS45 and they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going straight into a in depth comparison, below is a brief view of how the SH-1 grades vs the ZS45 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SH-1 over the Panasonic ZS45

 SH-1 ZS45 
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS45 over the Olympus SH-1

 ZS45 SH-1 
LaunchedJanuary 2015March 2014Fresher by 9 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1040k460kClearer screen (+580k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SH-1 and Panasonic ZS45

 SH-1 ZS45 
Manual focus No manual focusing
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Olympus SH-1 vs Panasonic ZS45 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry your camera regularly, you are going to need to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus SH-1 features outer 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 ZS45 has measurements of 108mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs).

Check the Olympus SH-1 vs Panasonic ZS45 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the SH-1 and the ZS45.

Olympus SH-1 vs Panasonic ZS45 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the SH-1 and ZS45 is 88 and 91 respectively.

Olympus SH-1 vs Panasonic ZS45 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SH-1 vs Panasonic ZS45 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's hard to visualize the gap between sensor sizing only by reading through specs. The photograph below will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SH-1 and ZS45.

All in all, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the exact same MP and you can expect similar quality of photos though you really should take the age of the products into consideration. The older SH-1 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus SH-1 vs Panasonic ZS45 sensor size comparison

Olympus SH-1 vs Panasonic ZS45 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SH-1 vs Panasonic ZS45 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SH-1 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS45 as a Portrait photography camera
37
good resolution (16MP)
comes with face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
37
good resolution (16MP)
features face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SH-1 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS45 as a Street photography camera
64
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has touch to focus
lighter than competition (271 grams)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
69
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (249 grams)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SH-1 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic ZS45 Sports photography highlights
51
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
great battery (380 per charge)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
55
incredible zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
good battery power (350 CIPA)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SH-1 Travel photography advice
Panasonic ZS45 Travel photography advice
74
great battery (380 CIPA)
lighter than competition (271g)
has touch to focus
good resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
71
good battery power (350 shots)
lighter than others in class (249 grams)
good resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
great reach (480mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SH-1 Landscape photography details
Panasonic ZS45 Landscape photography details
49
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
great battery (380 per charge)
focusing manually not possible
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
47
fairly wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
good battery power (350 shots)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SH-1 Vlogging features
Panasonic ZS45 Vlogging features
37
fairly wide (25mm)
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external mic jack
lighter than competition (271g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
34
fairly wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others in class (249 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have external microphone socket
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Olympus SH-1 vs Panasonic ZS45 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SH-1 and Panasonic ZS45
 Olympus Stylus SH-1Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus Stylus SH-1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-TZ57
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2014-03-31 2015-01-06
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VII -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 21
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing range 3cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 1,040 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 12.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 6.00 m
Flash modes - Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone 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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 271 gr (0.60 pounds) 249 gr (0.55 pounds)
Dimensions 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") 108 x 60 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 pictures 350 pictures
Type 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 shooting
Type of storage SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $349 $300