Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic G85

Below is a detailed assessment of the Olympus SP-100 and Panasonic G85, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SP-100 (16MP) and the G85 (16MP) is pretty comparable but the SP-100 (1/2.3") and G85 (Four Thirds) come with different sensor measurements.

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The SP-100 was released 3 years before the G85 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SP-100 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic G85 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise overview of how the SP-100 matches up against the G85 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Following is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus Stylus SP-100 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-G85. The complete galleries are available at Olympus SP-100 Gallery and Panasonic G85 Gallery.

If you're going to lug around your camera, you'll have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus SP-100 enjoys outer measurements of 122mm x 91mm x 133mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 5.2") along with a weight of 594 grams (1.31 lbs) and the Panasonic G85 has proportions of 128mm x 89mm x 74mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 2.9") along with a weight of 505 grams (1.11 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus SP-100 and Panasonic G85 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you select at that moment. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the SP-100 and the G85.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SP-100 and G85 is 63 and 69 respectively.

Typically, it is very hard to picture the difference in sensor measurements purely by checking out technical specs. The visual below might give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the SP-100 and G85.

As you can tell, the two cameras have got the exact same megapixels albeit different sensor measurements. The SP-100 features the smaller sensor which is going to make obtaining shallower DOF harder. The older SP-100 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.