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Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic LZ40

Portability
63
Imaging
40
Features
48
Overall
43
Olympus Stylus SP-100 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40 front
Portability
67
Imaging
45
Features
35
Overall
41

Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic LZ40 Key Specs

Olympus SP-100
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400 (Boost to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F2.9-6.5) lens
  • 594g - 122 x 91 x 133mm
  • Announced January 2014
Panasonic LZ40
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 22-924mm (F3.0-6.5) lens
  • 524g - 126 x 87 x 94mm
  • Revealed January 2014
  • Superseded the Panasonic LZ30
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Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic LZ40 Overview

Below, we are looking at the Olympus SP-100 and Panasonic LZ40, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SP-100 (16MP) and the LZ40 (20MP) is very close and they use the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SP-100 was introduced at a similar time to the LZ40 so they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before going in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the SP-100 grades against the LZ40 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-100 over the Panasonic LZ40

 SP-100 LZ40 
Manual focus More precise focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ40 over the Olympus SP-100

 LZ40 SP-100 

Common features in the Olympus SP-100 and Panasonic LZ40

 SP-100 LZ40 
RevealedJanuary 2014January 2014Same generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display dimensions
Display resolution460k460kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic LZ40 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to travel with your camera often, you need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus SP-100 features physical dimensions of 122mm x 91mm x 133mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 5.2") and a weight of 594 grams (1.31 lbs) whilst the Panasonic LZ40 has proportions of 126mm x 87mm x 94mm (5.0" x 3.4" x 3.7") accompanied by a weight of 524 grams (1.16 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus SP-100 and Panasonic LZ40 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the SP-100 against the LZ40.

Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic LZ40 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the SP-100 and LZ40 is 63 and 67 respectively.

Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic LZ40 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic LZ40 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be hard to envision the difference in sensor dimensions purely by looking through a spec sheet. The picture underneath might give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the SP-100 and LZ40.

As you can see, the 2 cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Panasonic LZ40 to result in extra detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics somewhat more aggressively.

Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic LZ40 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic LZ40 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic LZ40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-100 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic LZ40 as a Portrait photography camera
44
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
has face detection autofocus
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
40
good resolution (20MP)
supports face detection focus
manual focus not available
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-100 Street photography advice
Panasonic LZ40 Street photography advice
42
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
heavier than competition (594g)
45
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
heavier than competition (524g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-100 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic LZ40 as a Sports photography camera
53
excellent zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
has tracking autofocus
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
47
incredible zoom range (22-924mm 42.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (20MP)
supports tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-100 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic LZ40 Travel photography highlights
53
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
long reach (1200mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition (594g)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.9)
55
good resolution (20MP)
has built in flash
quite wide (22mm)
long reach (924mm)
no Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition (524g)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-100 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic LZ40 Landscape photography factors
47
you can focus manually
fairly wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.9)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
lack of Time Lapse recording
44
quite wide (22mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
manual focus not available
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-100 Vlogging factors
Panasonic LZ40 Vlogging factors
29
fairly wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes external mic port
slow max aperture (f2.9)
display is not selfie friendly
heavier than competition (594g)
27
quite wide (22mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
does have external mic socket
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
heavier than competition (524 grams)
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Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic LZ40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-100 and Panasonic LZ40
 Olympus Stylus SP-100Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus Stylus SP-100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2014-01-29 2014-01-06
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 5152 x 3864
Highest native ISO 6400 1600
Highest boosted ISO 12800 6400
Lowest native ISO 125 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
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 24-1200mm (50.0x) 22-924mm (42.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.9-6.5 f/3.0-6.5
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 920 thousand dots -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 15 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1700 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 10.80 m
Flash settings Auto, Red Eye Reduction, Fill-in, Off Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 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 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 594g (1.31 lb) 524g (1.16 lb)
Dimensions 122 x 91 x 133mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 5.2") 126 x 87 x 94mm (5.0" x 3.4" x 3.7")
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 330 photographs 320 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-92B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail price $400 $219