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Olympus SH-1 vs Samsung HZ50W

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
53
Overall
45
Olympus Stylus SH-1 front
 
Samsung HZ50W front
Portability
70
Imaging
36
Features
44
Overall
39

Olympus SH-1 vs Samsung HZ50W 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
  • Launched March 2014
  • Replacement is Olympus SH-2
Samsung HZ50W
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 3200 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-676mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 426g - 116 x 83 x 91mm
  • Introduced May 2010
  • Alternative Name is WB5500
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Olympus SH-1 vs Samsung HZ50W Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Olympus SH-1 and Samsung HZ50W, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by competitors Olympus and Samsung. The sensor resolution of the SH-1 (16MP) and the HZ50W (14MP) is pretty close and both cameras offer the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SH-1 was revealed 3 years later than the HZ50W and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus SH-1 being a Compact camera and the Samsung HZ50W being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before getting straight to a full comparison, here is a short summation of how the SH-1 grades versus the HZ50W in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SH-1 over the Samsung HZ50W

 SH-1 HZ50W 
IntroducedMarch 2014May 2010Fresher by 48 months
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Samsung HZ50W over the Olympus SH-1

 HZ50W SH-1 
Manually focus Very accurate focus

Common features in the Olympus SH-1 and Samsung HZ50W

 SH-1 HZ50W 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Olympus SH-1 vs Samsung HZ50W Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera frequently, you're going to have to think about its weight and size. The Olympus SH-1 has got external dimensions of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs) whilst the Samsung HZ50W has specifications of 116mm x 83mm x 91mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.6") along with a weight of 426 grams (0.94 lbs).

Look at the Olympus SH-1 and Samsung HZ50W in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you select at the time. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the SH-1 compared to the HZ50W.

Olympus SH-1 vs Samsung HZ50W size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the SH-1 and HZ50W is 88 and 70 respectively.

Olympus SH-1 vs Samsung HZ50W top view buttons comparison

Olympus SH-1 vs Samsung HZ50W Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be difficult to visualize the difference in sensor sizing only by viewing technical specs. The graphic here might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the SH-1 and HZ50W.

As you can tell, each of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You can expect the Olympus SH-1 to provide you with greater detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The more recent SH-1 provides an edge in sensor tech.

Olympus SH-1 vs Samsung HZ50W sensor size comparison

Olympus SH-1 vs Samsung HZ50W Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SH-1 vs Samsung HZ50W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SH-1
Portrait photography with Samsung HZ50W
37
MP count good (16 megapixels)
includes face detect focusing
no manual focus
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
45
focusing manually
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
saves RAW files
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus SH-1 Street photography info
Samsung HZ50W Street photography info
64
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has focus by touch
lighter than average in class (271 grams)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
55
image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SH-1 as a Sports photography camera
Samsung HZ50W as a Sports photography camera
51
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16MP)
includes tracking focus
better than average battery pack (380 CIPA)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
48
long zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SH-1 Travel photography information
Samsung HZ50W Travel photography information
74
better than average battery pack (380 shots)
lighter than average in class (271g)
has focus by touch
MP count good (16MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
58
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
quite wide (26mm)
long zoom (676mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SH-1 Landscape photography advice
Samsung HZ50W Landscape photography advice
49
relatively wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
better than average battery pack (380 shots)
no manual focus
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
51
focusing manually
quite wide (26mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
saves RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SH-1
Vlogging with Samsung HZ50W
37
relatively wide (25mm)
touch screen
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has microphone port
lighter than average in class (271g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
display isn't selfie friendly
24
quite wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic port
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Olympus SH-1 vs Samsung HZ50W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SH-1 and Samsung HZ50W
 Olympus Stylus SH-1Samsung HZ50W
General Information
Brand Olympus Samsung
Model Olympus Stylus SH-1 Samsung HZ50W
Also referred to as - WB5500
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2014-03-31 2010-05-03
Body design Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VII -
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 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Maximum boosted ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 64
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 26-676mm (26.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focus distance 3cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 16 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 12.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 5.60 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format H.264 H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 271g (0.60 lbs) 426g (0.94 lbs)
Physical dimensions 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") 116 x 83 x 91mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 380 photos -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model LI-92B SLB-11A
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SC/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $349 $250