Canon A1100 IS vs Olympus SZ-15
93 Imaging
34 Features
17 Overall
27


88 Imaging
40 Features
50 Overall
44
Canon A1100 IS vs Olympus SZ-15 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 35-140mm (F2.7-5.6) lens
- 150g - 95 x 62 x 31mm
- Launched February 2009
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 23-483mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
- 250g - 108 x 70 x 40mm
- Revealed June 2013

Canon A1100 IS vs Olympus SZ-15 Overview
The following is a extended analysis of the Canon A1100 IS and Olympus SZ-15, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Canon and Olympus. There is a noticeable difference between the image resolutions of the A1100 IS (12MP) and SZ-15 (16MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

The A1100 IS was announced 5 years earlier than the SZ-15 which is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before going straight to a thorough comparison, here is a short highlight of how the A1100 IS grades versus the SZ-15 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon A1100 IS vs Olympus SZ-15 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot A1100 IS & Olympus SZ-15. The whole galleries are available at Canon A1100 IS Gallery & Olympus SZ-15 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon A1100 IS over the Olympus SZ-15
A1100 IS | SZ-15 |
---|
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-15 over the Canon A1100 IS
SZ-15 | A1100 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | June 2013 | ![]() | February 2009 | Newer by 52 months |
Manual focus | ![]() | Very precise focus | ||
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 115k | Sharper screen (+345k dot) |
Common features in the Canon A1100 IS and Olympus SZ-15
A1100 IS | SZ-15 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither features Touch screen |
Canon A1100 IS vs Olympus SZ-15 Physical Comparison
In case you're going to travel with your camera regularly, you should take into account its weight and measurements. The Canon A1100 IS enjoys exterior measurements of 95mm x 62mm x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") with a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs) and the Olympus SZ-15 has proportions of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") and a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs).
Take a look at the Canon A1100 IS and Olympus SZ-15 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are using during that time. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the A1100 IS versus the SZ-15.

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the A1100 IS and SZ-15 is 93 and 88 respectively.

Canon A1100 IS vs Olympus SZ-15 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it can be difficult to visualise the gap between sensor dimensions simply by checking specifications. The pic below will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the A1100 IS and SZ-15.
To sum up, both the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Olympus SZ-15 to give you greater detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more aged A1100 IS is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Canon A1100 IS vs Olympus SZ-15 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A1100 IS vs Olympus SZ-15 Specifications
Canon PowerShot A1100 IS | Olympus SZ-15 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Canon | Olympus |
Model type | Canon PowerShot A1100 IS | Olympus SZ-15 |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Launched | 2009-02-18 | 2013-06-21 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Digic 4 | - |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4608 x 3456 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | 9 | - |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 35-140mm (4.0x) | 23-483mm (21.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/2.7-5.6 | f/2.8-5.9 |
Macro focusing distance | 3cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 2.5 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 115k dots | 460k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Screen technology | - | LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (tunnel) | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 15 seconds | 8 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/1600 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 1.0 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 4.00 m | 3.50 m |
Flash settings | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288) |
Maximum video resolution | 640x480 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | AVI MPEG4, Motion JPEG |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 150 gr (0.33 lb) | 250 gr (0.55 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 95 x 62 x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") | 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") |
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 ID | 2 x AA | SLB-10A |
Self timer | Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | One | One |
Cost at launch | $160 | $200 |