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Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic FZ40

Portability
63
Imaging
40
Features
48
Overall
43
Olympus Stylus SP-100 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
Portability
68
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38

Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic FZ40 Key Specs

Olympus SP-100
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400 (Increase to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F2.9-6.5) lens
  • 594g - 122 x 91 x 133mm
  • Revealed January 2014
Panasonic FZ40
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 494g - 120 x 80 x 92mm
  • Revealed July 2010
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FZ45
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Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic FZ40 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Olympus SP-100 versus Panasonic FZ40, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SP-100 (16MP) and the FZ40 (14MP) is relatively similar and both cameras have the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SP-100 was manufactured 3 years after the FZ40 which is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before getting into a more detailed comparison, here is a concise summary of how the SP-100 scores versus the FZ40 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-100 over the Panasonic FZ40

 SP-100 FZ40 
RevealedJanuary 2014July 2010More modern by 43 months
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Olympus SP-100

 FZ40 SP-100 

Common features in the Olympus SP-100 and Panasonic FZ40

 SP-100 FZ40 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic FZ40 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus SP-100 enjoys outside measurements of 122mm x 91mm x 133mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 5.2") with a weight of 594 grams (1.31 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FZ40 has sizing of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") and a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus SP-100 versus Panasonic FZ40 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are working with during that time. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the SP-100 versus the FZ40.

Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic FZ40 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SP-100 and FZ40 is 63 and 68 respectively.

Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic FZ40 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic FZ40 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very tough to see the contrast between sensor sizes only by reading a spec sheet. The picture underneath might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SP-100 and FZ40.

As you can see, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Olympus SP-100 to offer extra detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The fresher SP-100 is going to have a benefit in sensor tech.

Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic FZ40 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-100 Portrait photography information
Panasonic FZ40 Portrait photography information
44
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
features face detection focus
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
46
focusing manually
decent MP (14MP)
delivers RAW formats
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-100 Street photography factors
Panasonic FZ40 Street photography factors
42
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
more heavy than competition (594 grams)
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
more heavy than competition (494 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-100 Sports photography information
Panasonic FZ40 Sports photography information
53
great zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
43
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-100 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic FZ40 Travel photography highlights
53
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
very long reach (1200mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition (594 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.9)
54
decent MP (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (494g)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-100 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic FZ40 Landscape photography highlights
47
focusing manually
pretty wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.9)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse recording
51
focusing manually
reasonably wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
delivers RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-100 Vlogging factors
Panasonic FZ40 Vlogging factors
29
pretty wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with external microphone port
slow max aperture (f2.9)
screen is not selfie friendly
more heavy than competition (594g)
23
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone support
more heavy than competition (494g)
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Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic FZ40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-100 and Panasonic FZ40
 Olympus Stylus SP-100Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus Stylus SP-100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
Alternative name - Lumix DMC-FZ45
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2014-01-29 2010-07-21
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Chip - Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
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 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Max enhanced ISO 12800 -
Minimum native ISO 125 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-1200mm (50.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.9-6.5 f/2.8-5.2
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 920k dots -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1700 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 7.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 9.50 m
Flash options Auto, Red Eye Reduction, Fill-in, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance 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 (60p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format H.264 AVCHD Lite
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Optional None
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 594 grams (1.31 pounds) 494 grams (1.09 pounds)
Physical dimensions 122 x 91 x 133mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 5.2") 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6")
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 330 photographs -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID LI-92B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures))
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $400 $420