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Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic S1H

Portability
95
Imaging
36
Features
34
Overall
35
Olympus VH-515 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1H front
Portability
52
Imaging
75
Features
87
Overall
79

Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic S1H Key Specs

Olympus VH-515
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 152g - 102 x 60 x 21mm
  • Revealed August 2012
Panasonic S1H
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Push to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 5952 x 3988 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 1052g - 151 x 114 x 110mm
  • Announced August 2019
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Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic S1H Overview

Let's look a little more in depth at the Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic S1H, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Pro Mirrorless by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a huge gap among the sensor resolutions of the VH-515 (12MP) and S1H (24MP) and the VH-515 (1/2.3") and S1H (Full frame) come with different sensor sizes.

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The VH-515 was revealed 8 years prior to the S1H which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus VH-515 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic S1H being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving in to a thorough comparison, below is a quick overview of how the VH-515 scores against the S1H with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VH-515 over the Panasonic S1H

 VH-515 S1H 

Reasons to pick Panasonic S1H over the Olympus VH-515

 S1H VH-515 
AnnouncedAugust 2019August 2012More modern by 85 months
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2330k460kSharper display (+1870k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Olympus VH-515 and Panasonic S1H

 VH-515 S1H 
Touch display Easily navigate

Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic S1H Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you need to consider its weight and size. The Olympus VH-515 provides outside dimensions of 102mm x 60mm x 21mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 0.8") and a weight of 152 grams (0.34 lbs) whilst the Panasonic S1H has specifications of 151mm x 114mm x 110mm (5.9" x 4.5" x 4.3") along with a weight of 1052 grams (2.32 lbs).

Check out the Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic S1H in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the VH-515 against the S1H.

Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic S1H size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the VH-515 and S1H is 95 and 52 respectively.

Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic S1H top view buttons comparison

Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic S1H Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its tough to visualize the contrast in sensor sizes merely by looking through technical specs. The picture underneath will help give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the VH-515 and S1H.

As you have seen, each of the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The VH-515 with its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF tougher and the Panasonic S1H will render greater detail because of its extra 12 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics far more aggressively. The more aged VH-515 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic S1H sensor size comparison

Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic S1H Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic S1H Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VH-515 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic S1H Portrait photography highlights
27
has face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
85
manual focus
flash sync speed is above average (1/320 seconds)
good MP (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detection focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus VH-515 Street photography highlights
Panasonic S1H Street photography highlights
62
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
boasts focus via touch
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
69
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
comes with focus via touch
weather sealing
good high ISO (51,200)
more heavy than competitors in class (1,052 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VH-515 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic S1H as a Sports photography camera
32
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shooting (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
weather sealing
bad battery pack (400 CIPA)
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VH-515 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic S1H Travel photography highlights
62
boasts focus via touch
built-in flash
really wide (26mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.8)
64
weather sealing
has bluetooth
comes with focus via touch
good MP (24 megapixels)
selfie friendly screen
bad battery pack (400 shots)
more heavy than competitors in class (1,052 grams)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus VH-515 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic S1H as a Landscape photography camera
37
really wide (26mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
lack of manual mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording
80
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Leica L mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
good high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
has dual storage slots
bad battery pack (400 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus VH-515
Vlogging with Panasonic S1H
35
really wide (26mm)
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
missing mic socket
70
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection focus
video resolution high (5952 x 3988 pixels)
does have external microphone jack
more heavy than competitors in class (1,052 grams)
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Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic S1H Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VH-515 and Panasonic S1H
 Olympus VH-515Panasonic Lumix DC-S1H
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus VH-515 Panasonic Lumix DC-S1H
Class Small Sensor Compact Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2012-08-21 2019-08-28
Body design Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic III+ Venus Engine
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 1600 51200
Max enhanced ISO - 204800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Minimum enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 225
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Leica L
Lens zoom range 26-130mm (5.0x) -
Max aperture f/2.8-6.5 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Number of lenses - 30
Crop factor 5.8 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3" 3.2"
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 2,330 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 5,760 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Max quiet shutter speed - 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 9.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.70 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/320s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30,15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 180 (30,15 fps) 5952 x 3988 @ 23.98p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 1920x1080 5952x3988
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264, H.265
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 152 gr (0.34 lb) 1052 gr (2.32 lb)
Dimensions 102 x 60 x 21mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 0.8") 151 x 114 x 110mm (5.9" x 4.5" x 4.3")
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 - 400 photographs
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II supported)
Storage slots Single Two
Price at release $648 $3,998