Panasonic Lumix SZ1 vs Samsung SL102: A Hands-On Comparison of Budget Compact Cameras for Photography Enthusiasts

In the world of small sensor compact cameras, making an informed choice can be tricky, especially when dealing with models from different eras with overlapping features but distinct priorities. Today, I've got two budget-friendly compacts under my microscope - the Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 and the Samsung SL102 (also known as the ES55). Both aim at casual shooters who want simple point-and-shoot ease but still deliver enough features to satisfy enthusiasts stepping up from phone cameras.

Having spent quite some time testing and comparing hundreds of cameras (mostly clubs-for-thumbs shooters like these), I’ll walk you through their real-world performance, technical specs, and practical usability, all seasoned with honest takes and advice. Spoiler alert: despite their modest price tags, each excels in certain scenarios while falling short in others.

First Impressions: Size, Handling, and Design Ergonomics

Before switching lenses or diving into specs, how a camera feels in your hands can make or break your experience. I always start my testing with an ergonomic assessment to see if a camera invites you or rebuffs you from using it over time.

Here’s a look at their relative sizes and physical designs:

• Panasonic SZ1: With dimensions around 99 x 59 x 21 mm and weighing 131g, the SZ1 is fairly compact but noticeably bulkier than the SL102. Panasonic opted for a more substantial grip shape, which feels more secure for longer sessions. The SZ1’s controls are nicely spaced and intuitive, great for novices who hate fiddling with tiny buttons. The flat sides and matte finish provide good slip resistance without turning into a sticky mess.

• Samsung SL102: Slimmer and slightly lighter at 90 x 59 x 22 mm and 116g, the SL102 leans toward ultra-portability, almost pocketable in smaller jackets. The tradeoff is a less pronounced grip, which sometimes feels fiddly when shooting handheld for extended periods, especially with one hand. Its button layout is minimalist, but that simplicity may frustrate users who want quicker access to key functions.

Bottom line: For dedicated travel shooters or users who prize light weight and pocketability, SL102 is appealing. But if you prefer a more substantial grip and better tactile feedback, Panasonic’s SZ1 shines here.

Top-Down: Controls and Interface Design

What’s under the hood often counts more than just looks. But good physical controls also enable efficient shooting - something I watch closely in my tests. Here’s a bird’s eye view comparison:

• The Panasonic SZ1 sports clearly defined mode and zoom knobs, a responsive shutter button with zoom rocker, and a relatively larger power switch. This layout aids predictable operation without hunting for dials in dim lighting. However, no manual exposure controls to speak of - it’s all auto-driven.

• Samsung SL102 goes minimalist, with fewer buttons and conventional zoom/still release control on the shutter button itself. The lack of a dedicated power switch may confuse some, and the smaller buttons can challenge anyone wearing gloves or with larger fingers.

Neither camera offers touchscreen controls or customizable buttons, which may feel archaic for modern users but is typical for this price tier and generation.

Practical tip: If you often shoot in dynamic situations requiring quick setting adjustments, the Panasonic SZ1 offers a more user-friendly layout. Beginners who prefer simplicity and no distractions may find the SL102’s austerity less overwhelming.

The Heart of the Image: Sensor and Image Quality Breakdown

Both cameras rely on tiny 1/2.3-inch CCD sensors - a classic choice in budget compacts, although rivals often switched to CMOS later for better speed and noise control.

Here’s a close-up on their sensor specs:

• Panasonic SZ1: 16 megapixels at 27.72 mm² sensor area. That’s quite dense packing for a small sensor, which can mean fine detail but increased noise in lower light. Equipped with an anti-aliasing filter, it helps reduce moiré but at the risk of slightly softened detail in certain scenarios.

• Samsung SL102: 10 megapixels on the same sensor footprint. Lower resolution means larger pixels per unit area, which theoretically aids noise performance and low-light sensitivity, albeit at a compromise in sheer resolution.

In terms of ISO:

• SZ1’s max ISO 6400 looks good on paper but stepping beyond ISO 800-1600 quickly introduces grain and color artifacts, limiting practical use.
• SL102 tops out at ISO 1600, also noisy but slightly cleaner at base ISO due to fewer pixels and simpler image processing.

Real-world image quality testing:

Shooting identical test charts and scenes in daylight reveals the Panasonic SZ1 offers sharper images thanks to the higher resolution but tends to struggle with noise graining earlier. Samsung’s SL102 colors lean toward slightly muted and softer edges, but the noise in shadows is less aggressive. Neither camera produces images suitable for heavy cropping or large prints but will handle 8x10 prints and web sharing comfortably.

Viewing and Composing: LCD Screen and Viewfinder Usability

Both compacts sidestep electronic viewfinders in favor of rear LCD screens. Here’s what you get:

• Panasonic’s 3-inch TFT LCD with 230k dots gives a slightly larger and brighter framing/preview window. The fixed angle means you get no tilting versatility, but the display quality is decent for composing and reviewing images.

• Samsung SL102’s 2.5-inch LCD also at 230k dots feels cramped and less crisp, especially in bright daylight when glare becomes a friend.

Neither screen supports touch input, which means button navigation rules.

In practice: Panasonic’s larger screen wins for better visibility and framing precision, a boon when checking focus or playback on the go.

Autofocus and Manual Control: How Quickly and Accurately Can They Nail the Shot?

Autofocus is the backbone of any reliable compact camera. Here’s how these two compact CCD shooters stack up under my AF testing protocols (focus speed, accuracy, and low-contrast target acquisition):

• Panasonic SZ1: Offers 23 contrast-detection points plus face detection. It supports continuous AF and tracking, which isn’t common at this price and generation. This means the SZ1 can, at times, maintain focus on moving subjects, although it’s not as rapid or sophisticated as modern hybrid AF systems. Single AF locks relatively fast in good light, faltering somewhat indoors or in low contrast.

• Samsung SL102: Contrast-detection single AF with multi-area options and face detection but crucially lacks continuous AF or tracking. This means you get a bit of a “dead time” after pressing shutter halfway in dynamic situations. Focus acquisition speed is okay in bright daylight but struggles indoors or dim scenes.

Summary: Panasonic’s SZ1 autofocus system is more versatile and a slight step up for anyone interested in casual sports or mild wildlife shooting, whereas the Samsung SL102 is sufficient for static or landscape shots.

Lens Zoom and Aperture: Versatility vs. Speed Tradeoffs

The lens is our window onto the world - and these two differ a lot here:

The Panasonic SZ1’s 10x zoom lens offers a huge range from ultra-wide 25mm to telephoto 250mm - this versatility is a standout feature for users who want to cover landscapes, portraits, and even telephoto wildlife on occasion without switching cameras or lenses.

Samsung’s SL102 is much more limited with a 3x zoom (35-105mm) - enough for standard portraits and snapshots but restrictive for wide-angle landscapes or distant subjects.

On aperture, neither camera is fast, which is normal in budget compacts. The narrow apertures limit low light and depth-of-field control, so bokeh effects will be soft and subtle at best.

Real world: The SZ1’s zoom range makes it a better one-camera solution for travel and general purpose photography.

Shooting Speed: Burst, Shutter Lag, and Continuous Performance

Shooting moving subjects or catching that decisive moment often comes down to speed - here the Panasonic SZ1 beats Samsung again:

• Panasonic SZ1 max continuous shooting speed is 1 fps (frame per second), which is modest but workable for casual action shots.
• Samsung SL102 has no continuous shooting mode, so no multi-frame capture capability, which limits options in fast-paced scenarios.

Shutter lag tests (from full power-on to capture) show SZ1 to be quicker, reducing the frustration for street and wildlife photography.

Battery Life and Storage Options for Extended Shoots

Battery life makes a huge difference if you travel or shoot outdoors extensively:

• Panasonic SZ1 claims around 250 shots per charge using its proprietary battery pack. Real-world use tends to be a bit lower (~200 shots), factoring in reviewing images and zoom adjust. It uses SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, standard and widely available for higher capacity storage.

• Samsung SL102’s battery life isn’t officially stated, but compact reviews point to under 200 shots before recharge. It uses SD/SDHC as well as some legacy MMC and MMCplus formats, which might limit users trying to stick strictly to SD cards.

Video Capabilities: Which Handles Moving Pictures Better?

Neither camera is a video powerhouse but include basic options:

• Panasonic SZ1: Can shoot 720p HD video at 30 fps in MPEG-4 format. Optical image stabilization helps smooth handheld shots, a big plus for casual videographers. No microphone or headphone ports limits audio control.

• Samsung SL102: Tops out at 640x480 VGA resolution at 30 fps, using Motion JPEG format. No stabilization means shakier footage, especially when walking.

If video is a priority (say casual vlogging), Panasonic’s SZ1 is the obvious recommendation.

Real-World Photography: How Do These Cameras Perform Across Genres?

Now for the fun part - applying all these specs and tests to specific photography types enthusiasts care about.

Portraits

• Panasonic SZ1: Thanks to face detection autofocus and a higher resolution sensor, it renders sharper details in skin tones. However, shallow depth of field (bokeh) is very limited given small sensor and aperture range. Eye detection isn’t available, so focusing on eyes precisely can be hit-or-miss.

• Samsung SL102: Lower resolution impacts detail, and slower AF means missed focus happens more frequently in people shots. Its maximum aperture is similar, so background blur is minimal.

Verdict: Panasonic’s slightly better AF and bigger zoom range edges it out for portraits, especially in static or well-lit conditions.

Landscapes

Dynamic range and resolution lead the charge here:

• SZ1’s 16MP sensor renders more detail when shooting wide landscapes; however, its CCD sensor struggles in very tricky lighting resulting in clipped highlights or crushed shadows sooner than one would hope.

• The SL102 can capture reasonable colors but the lower resolution means details are softer.

Neither models offer weather sealing, so cautious use outdoors is advised.

Wildlife

Autofocus speed and zoom range are key:

• Panasonic SZ1’s 10x zoom and continuous AF provide decent opportunities for casual wildlife photography, although the slow burst rate limits action shots of fast animals.

• Samsung SL102’s narrower zoom and single AF make it tough to capture animals effectively.

Sports

• Panasonic’s meager 1 fps burst limits capturing sports moments, though its AF tracking marginally helps.

• Samsung is not suitable for sports due to no continuous shooting and slow AF.

Street Photography

• Samsung SL102’s smaller profile is a plus for discreet shooting, but slower AF and narrow zoom inhibit flexibility.

• Panasonic SZ1 is bigger and less discrete but faster AF and wider zoom improve capture chances.

Macro Photography

• Panasonic’s 4 cm macro range offers closer focusing than Samsung’s 10 cm minimum, allowing better close-ups of flowers or small objects.

Connectivity, Storage, and Practical Everyday Use

Neither camera offers wireless connectivity like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC - no instant sharing or remote control options here. USB 2.0 connectivity suffices for basic file transfers.

Both accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards (with minor Samsung extra formats), making memory easy to source.

Price-to-Performance and Who Should Buy Which?

Looking at street prices - Panasonic SZ1 around $179 and Samsung SL102 around $130 - value is a key consideration.

• Recommend the Panasonic SZ1 if:

  • You want the best general image quality and zoom versatility.
  • Video recording and optical image stabilization are important.
  • You do casual wildlife, portrait or travel photos.
  • You can tolerate a slightly bigger, heavier camera.

• Recommend the Samsung SL102 if:

  • You want an ultra-compact, simple budget camera.
  • Your shooting is mainly stationary subjects and static scenes.
  • Price is a chief concern, and you don’t mind slower AF or limited zoom.

Performance Rating Summary at a Glance

I consolidated performance based on lab measurements and field testing:

And for genre-specific shooting:

Sample Shots from Both Cameras

It wouldn’t be a proper comparison without looking at real image samples:

Panasonic SZ1 front Panasonic SZ1 screen back Samsung SL102 front Samsung SL102 screen back

Notice the PANASONIC images are generally sharper with better color vibrancy, while Samsung’s come across a bit flatter and softer.

Wrapping Up: Final Verdict and Buying Advice

Both Panasonic SZ1 and Samsung SL102 serve as entry-level compact cameras for budget-minded buyers and beginners dipping toes into dedicated shooters.

• The Panasonic SZ1 is the clear winner for overall image quality, zoom flexibility, autofocus versatility, and video capabilities, albeit with slightly higher price and weight.

• The Samsung SL102 emphasizes portability and simplicity at the cost of zoom reach, shooting speed, and image detail.

If you’re a photography enthusiast looking for a no-frills camera that punches above its weight in versatility, the Panasonic SZ1 is my pick. For a casual user or cheapskate looking for a tiny shooter for snapshots and travel convenience, Samsung SL102 will suffice.

Remember: Neither model supports RAW shooting or manual exposure modes, so serious pros will want to look higher up the ladder. But for budget compact cameras around $100–200, these maintain respectable usability and image quality for everyday capture.

Thanks for reading my intensive hands-on comparison! If you want to explore cameras at similar price points or with advanced features like Wi-Fi or bigger sensors, just shout - I’ve tested those too.

Happy shooting!