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Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic SZ1

Portability
63
Imaging
40
Features
48
Overall
43
Olympus Stylus SP-100 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37

Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic SZ1 Key Specs

Olympus SP-100
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400 (Raise to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F2.9-6.5) lens
  • 594g - 122 x 91 x 133mm
  • Introduced January 2014
Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Released January 2012
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Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic SZ1 Overview

Let's look a bit more in depth at the Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic SZ1, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the SP-100 (16MP) and the SZ1 (16MP) is pretty close and both cameras offer the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SP-100 was unveiled 2 years later than the SZ1 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus SP-100 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic SZ1 being a Compact camera.

Before delving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a short overview of how the SP-100 scores vs the SZ1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-100 over the Panasonic SZ1

 SP-100 SZ1 
ReleasedJanuary 2014January 2012Fresher by 26 months
Manual focus More precise focus
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Olympus SP-100

 SZ1 SP-100 

Common features in the Olympus SP-100 and Panasonic SZ1

 SP-100 SZ1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic SZ1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry your camera often, you will have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus SP-100 features exterior measurements of 122mm x 91mm x 133mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 5.2") and a weight of 594 grams (1.31 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ1 has proportions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic SZ1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are using during that time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the SP-100 and the SZ1.

Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic SZ1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the SP-100 and SZ1 is 63 and 95 respectively.

Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic SZ1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic SZ1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is hard to imagine the gap in sensor sizing just by researching a spec sheet. The graphic underneath may give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the SP-100 and SZ1.

Clearly, the 2 cameras feature the identical sensor size and the same exact MP so you can expect comparable quality of photos although you will want to consider the launch date of the cameras into account. The fresher SP-100 provides an edge in sensor technology.

Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic SZ1 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-100 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic SZ1 as a Portrait photography camera
44
focusing manually
decent megapixels (16MP)
comes with face detection focus
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
34
good megapixels (16MP)
includes face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-100 Street photography highlights
Panasonic SZ1 Street photography highlights
42
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
heavier than others (594g)
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (131 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-100 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic SZ1 as a Sports photography camera
53
incredible zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-100 Travel photography features
Panasonic SZ1 Travel photography features
53
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (24mm)
long zoom (1200mm)
no Time Lapse mode
heavier than others (594g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.9)
70
lighter than competition (131g)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
no Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SP-100
Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ1
47
focusing manually
really wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.9)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
no Time Lapse mode
43
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-100 Vlogging advice
Panasonic SZ1 Vlogging advice
29
really wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with external mic socket
sluggish max aperture (f2.9)
screen isn't selfie friendly
heavier than others (594g)
32
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection autofocus
lighter than competition (131g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic jack
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Olympus SP-100 vs Panasonic SZ1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-100 and Panasonic SZ1
 Olympus Stylus SP-100Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus Stylus SP-100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2014-01-29 2012-01-09
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
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 area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Max boosted ISO 12800 -
Lowest native ISO 125 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 23
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-1200mm (50.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.9-6.5 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus range 1cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 920k dot -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 8 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1700 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting speed 7.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 5.60 m
Flash modes Auto, Red Eye Reduction, Fill-in, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format H.264 MPEG-4
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 594g (1.31 lbs) 131g (0.29 lbs)
Physical dimensions 122 x 91 x 133mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 5.2") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
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 330 photos 250 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-92B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail price $400 $179