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Olympus TG-610 vs Panasonic SZ1

Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
37
Overall
37
Olympus TG-610 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37

Olympus TG-610 vs Panasonic SZ1 Key Specs

Olympus TG-610
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.9-5.9) lens
  • 190g - 96 x 65 x 26mm
  • Announced January 2011
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
  • Revealed January 2012
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Olympus TG-610 vs Panasonic SZ1 Overview

In this write-up, we will be looking at the Olympus TG-610 vs Panasonic SZ1, former is a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the TG-610 (14MP) and the SZ1 (16MP) is relatively well matched and they enjoy the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The TG-610 was announced 12 months prior to the SZ1 so they are of a similar age. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a full comparison, below is a quick overview of how the TG-610 matches up against the SZ1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-610 over the Panasonic SZ1

 TG-610 SZ1 
Screen resolution920k230kCrisper screen (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Olympus TG-610

 SZ1 TG-610 
RevealedJanuary 2012January 2011More modern by 12 months

Common features in the Olympus TG-610 and Panasonic SZ1

 TG-610 SZ1 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Olympus TG-610 vs Panasonic SZ1 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry around your camera regularly, you should consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus TG-610 has physical measurements of 96mm x 65mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.6" x 1.0") and a weight of 190 grams (0.42 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ1 has measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs).

Examine the Olympus TG-610 vs Panasonic SZ1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you select at that time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the TG-610 and the SZ1.

Olympus TG-610 vs Panasonic SZ1 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the TG-610 and SZ1 is 93 and 95 respectively.

Olympus TG-610 vs Panasonic SZ1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-610 vs Panasonic SZ1 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very difficult to visualise the difference between sensor sizes just by checking specifications. The picture here may give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the TG-610 and SZ1.

To sum up, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Panasonic SZ1 to give you greater detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots far more aggressively. The more aged TG-610 is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Olympus TG-610 vs Panasonic SZ1 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-610 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-610 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-610 Portrait photography information
Panasonic SZ1 Portrait photography information
33
decent MP (14MP)
includes face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
34
decent MP (16 megapixels)
supports face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus TG-610
Street photography with Panasonic SZ1
62
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proof
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (131 grams)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-610 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic SZ1 as a Sports photography camera
40
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (14MP)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proof
max fps low (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (210 CIPA)
has no phase detect auto focus
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
supports tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-610 Travel photography info
Panasonic SZ1 Travel photography info
64
environment proof
decent MP (14MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
bad battery pack (210 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
70
lighter than average (131g)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very long zoom (250mm)
lack of Timelapse function
does not posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus TG-610
Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ1
43
rather wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
environment proof
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
no manual control
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
bad battery pack (210 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse mode
43
pretty wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not available
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus TG-610
Vlogging with Panasonic SZ1
30
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection focus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic jack
32
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection autofocus
lighter than average (131g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone socket
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Olympus TG-610 vs Panasonic SZ1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-610 and Panasonic SZ1
 Olympus TG-610Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus TG-610 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
Type Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2011-01-06 2012-01-09
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic III+ -
Sensor type CCD 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 14 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4288 x 3216 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 23
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Max aperture f/3.9-5.9 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus range 3cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 920k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech TFT Hypercrystal III Color LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 8 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.20 m 5.60 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 190g (0.42 pounds) 131g (0.29 pounds)
Dimensions 96 x 65 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.6" x 1.0") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 210 photos 250 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Launch cost $223 $179