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Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic SZ7

Portability
95
Imaging
36
Features
34
Overall
35
Olympus VH-515 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 front
Portability
95
Imaging
37
Features
41
Overall
38

Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic SZ7 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
  • Announced August 2012
Panasonic SZ7
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 133g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Revealed January 2012
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Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic SZ7 Overview

Here is a comprehensive assessment of the Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic SZ7, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the VH-515 (12MP) and the SZ7 (14MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras provide the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The VH-515 was brought out 8 months later than the SZ7 and they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting straight to a in depth comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the VH-515 grades against the SZ7 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VH-515 over the Panasonic SZ7

 VH-515 SZ7 
RevealedAugust 2012January 2012Fresher by 8 months
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ7 over the Olympus VH-515

 SZ7 VH-515 

Common features in the Olympus VH-515 and Panasonic SZ7

 VH-515 SZ7 
Focus manually No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Screen resolution460k460kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic SZ7 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry your camera often, you will need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus VH-515 offers outer measurements of 102mm x 60mm x 21mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 0.8") having a weight of 152 grams (0.34 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ7 has dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic SZ7 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have during that time. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the VH-515 against the SZ7.

Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic SZ7 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the VH-515 and SZ7 is 95 and 95 respectively.

Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic SZ7 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic SZ7 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very tough to imagine the gap between sensor sizing only by checking a spec sheet. The graphic below should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the VH-515 and SZ7.

Clearly, the 2 cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You should expect the Panasonic SZ7 to give extra detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The more modern VH-515 provides an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic SZ7 sensor size comparison

Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic SZ7 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic SZ7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VH-515 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic SZ7 as a Portrait photography camera
27
supports face detect focus
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
33
MP count good (14MP)
provides face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus VH-515 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic SZ7 as a Street photography camera
62
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
boasts focus by touch
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (133 grams)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus VH-515
Sports photography with Panasonic SZ7
32
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports tracking focus
slow frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
43
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
provides tracking focus
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VH-515 Travel photography information
Panasonic SZ7 Travel photography information
62
boasts focus by touch
built-in flash
really wide (26mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
70
lighter than competition in class (133g)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus VH-515
Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ7
37
really wide (26mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not available
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse recording
42
quite wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not available
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VH-515 Vlogging advice
Panasonic SZ7 Vlogging advice
35
really wide (26mm)
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone port
35
quite wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (133 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of mic port
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Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic SZ7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VH-515 and Panasonic SZ7
 Olympus VH-515Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus VH-515 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2012-08-21 2012-01-09
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III+ -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-130mm (5.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-6.5 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus distance 5cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT Color LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 8 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.70 m 5.60 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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) 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic 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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 152 grams (0.34 lbs) 133 grams (0.29 lbs)
Physical 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 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 - 220 images
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $648 $199