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Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic SZ1

Portability
95
Imaging
36
Features
34
Overall
35
Olympus VH-515 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37

Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic SZ1 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 SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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
Photography Glossary

Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic SZ1 Overview

Below, we are looking at the Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic SZ1, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a noticeable gap between the image resolutions of the VH-515 (12MP) and SZ1 (16MP) but they come with the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The VH-515 was released 8 months later than the SZ1 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting through a detailed comparison, below is a quick view of how the VH-515 grades against the SZ1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VH-515 over the Panasonic SZ1

 VH-515 SZ1 
RevealedAugust 2012January 2012More recent by 8 months
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Olympus VH-515

 SZ1 VH-515 

Common features in the Olympus VH-515 and Panasonic SZ1

 VH-515 SZ1 
Manual focus No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic SZ1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to lug around your camera, you'll have to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus VH-515 enjoys external dimensions of 102mm x 60mm x 21mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 0.8") and a weight of 152 grams (0.34 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ1 has proportions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic SZ1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are employing during that time. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the VH-515 and the SZ1.

Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic SZ1 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the VH-515 and SZ1 is 95 and 95 respectively.

Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic SZ1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic SZ1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is difficult to see the contrast between sensor measurements simply by looking at a spec sheet. The photograph below will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the VH-515 and SZ1.

Clearly, each of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but not the same resolution. You can anticipate the Panasonic SZ1 to give you greater detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos much more aggressively. The fresher VH-515 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic SZ1 sensor size comparison

Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VH-515 Portrait photography features
Panasonic SZ1 Portrait photography features
27
offers face detection focusing
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
34
good megapixels (16MP)
supports face detect autofocus
no manual focus
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus VH-515 Street photography advice
Panasonic SZ1 Street photography advice
62
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers touch to focus
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (131g)
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus VH-515
Sports photography with Panasonic SZ1
32
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
supports tracking focus
slow fps (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VH-515 Travel photography features
Panasonic SZ1 Travel photography features
62
offers touch to focus
built-in flash
rather wide (26mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.8)
70
lighter than others (131g)
good megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
very long reach (250mm)
lack of Timelapse function
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus VH-515
Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ1
37
rather wide (26mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not available
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse function
43
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual exposure
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VH-515 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic SZ1 as a Vlogging camera
35
rather wide (26mm)
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external mic port
32
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
lighter than others (131g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone port
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Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic SZ1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VH-515 and Panasonic SZ1
 Olympus VH-515Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus VH-515 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2012-08-21 2012-01-09
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III+ -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-130mm (5.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-6.5 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing distance 5cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT Color LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 8 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.70 m 5.60 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 152g (0.34 pounds) 131g (0.29 pounds)
Dimensions 102 x 60 x 21mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 0.8") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
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 - 250 photographs
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail price $648 $179