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Olympus XZ-1 vs Panasonic SZ1

Portability
88
Imaging
35
Features
51
Overall
41
Olympus XZ-1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37

Olympus XZ-1 vs Panasonic SZ1 Key Specs

Olympus XZ-1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
  • 275g - 111 x 65 x 42mm
  • Released 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 XZ-1 vs Panasonic SZ1 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Olympus XZ-1 vs Panasonic SZ1, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Olympus and Panasonic. There is a big difference among the image resolutions of the XZ-1 (10MP) and SZ1 (16MP) and the XZ-1 (1/1.63") and SZ1 (1/2.3") offer totally different sensor size.

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The XZ-1 was manufactured 11 months prior to the SZ1 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a complete comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the XZ-1 matches up versus the SZ1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus XZ-1 over the Panasonic SZ1

 XZ-1 SZ1 
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Screen resolution614k230kSharper screen (+384k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Olympus XZ-1

 SZ1 XZ-1 
RevealedJanuary 2012January 2011More recent by 11 months

Common features in the Olympus XZ-1 and Panasonic SZ1

 XZ-1 SZ1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Olympus XZ-1 vs Panasonic SZ1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to lug around your camera frequently, you will want to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus XZ-1 comes with outer dimensions of 111mm x 65mm x 42mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7") along with a weight of 275 grams (0.61 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ1 has dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs).

Check the Olympus XZ-1 vs Panasonic SZ1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are working with during that time. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the XZ-1 compared to the SZ1.

Olympus XZ-1 vs Panasonic SZ1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the XZ-1 and SZ1 is 88 and 95 respectively.

Olympus XZ-1 vs Panasonic SZ1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus XZ-1 vs Panasonic SZ1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its hard to see the difference in sensor measurements simply by looking through a spec sheet. The visual here may give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the XZ-1 and SZ1.

Clearly, the two cameras have different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The XZ-1 due to its bigger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF easier and the Panasonic SZ1 will result in extra detail due to its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The older XZ-1 will be behind in sensor technology.

Olympus XZ-1 vs Panasonic SZ1 sensor size comparison

Olympus XZ-1 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus XZ-1 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus XZ-1 Portrait photography details
Panasonic SZ1 Portrait photography details
45
you can focus manually
includes face detection focus
saves RAW files
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/1.63")
34
decent MP (16 megapixels)
includes face detection focus
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus XZ-1 Street photography factors
Panasonic SZ1 Street photography factors
59
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW files
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/1.63")
more heavy than competitors (275 grams)
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (131g)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus XZ-1 Sports photography information
Panasonic SZ1 Sports photography information
38
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes tracking autofocus
good battery (320 shots)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
low megapixels (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.63")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
40
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
includes tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus XZ-1 Travel photography advice
Panasonic SZ1 Travel photography advice
62
good battery (320 CIPA)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
missing Timelapse mode
more heavy than competitors (275g)
low megapixels (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
70
lighter than others in class (131g)
decent MP (16MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
does not offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus XZ-1
Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ1
54
you can focus manually
fairly wide (28mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW files
good battery (320 shots)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
low megapixels (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.63")
missing Timelapse mode
43
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus XZ-1 Vlogging information
Panasonic SZ1 Vlogging information
31
fairly wide (28mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection focus
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone port
more heavy than competitors (275g)
32
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focus
lighter than others in class (131g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic socket
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Olympus XZ-1 vs Panasonic SZ1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus XZ-1 and Panasonic SZ1
 Olympus XZ-1Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus XZ-1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2011-01-26 2012-01-09
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic V -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/1.63" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 8.07 x 5.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 44.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3664 x 2752 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 11 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Max aperture f/1.8-2.5 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus range 1cm 4cm
Crop factor 4.5 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 614 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology OLED TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 8 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 8.60 m (ISO 800) 5.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 275 grams (0.61 lb) 131 grams (0.29 lb)
Physical dimensions 111 x 65 x 42mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 34 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 18.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.4 not tested
DXO Low light score 117 not tested
Other
Battery life 320 pictures 250 pictures
Battery type 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 1 1
Pricing at release $567 $179