Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic SZ7
95 Imaging
36 Features
34 Overall
35


95 Imaging
37 Features
41 Overall
38
Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic SZ7 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic SZ7 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus VH-515 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7. The entire galleries are provided at Olympus VH-515 Gallery and Panasonic SZ7 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus VH-515 over the Panasonic SZ7
VH-515 | SZ7 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | August 2012 | ![]() | January 2012 | Fresher 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen measurement |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 460k | Identical 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VH-515 vs Panasonic SZ7 Specifications
Olympus VH-515 | Panasonic 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 |