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Olympus E-1 vs Olympus SZ-15

Portability
59
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus E-1 front
 
Olympus SZ-15 front
Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
50
Overall
44

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus SZ-15 Key Specs

Olympus E-1
(Full Review)
  • 5MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 735g - 141 x 104 x 81mm
  • Launched November 2003
  • Replacement is Olympus E-3
Olympus SZ-15
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-483mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 250g - 108 x 70 x 40mm
  • Announced June 2013
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Olympus E-1 vs Olympus SZ-15 Overview

Here is a in depth comparison of the Olympus E-1 vs Olympus SZ-15, former being a Pro DSLR while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both sold by Olympus. There exists a noticeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the E-1 (5MP) and SZ-15 (16MP) and the E-1 (Four Thirds) and SZ-15 (1/2.3") posses totally different sensor size.

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The E-1 was unveiled 10 years earlier than the SZ-15 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-1 being a Large SLR camera and the Olympus SZ-15 being a Compact camera.

Before going right into a detailed comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the E-1 matches up vs the SZ-15 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-1 over the Olympus SZ-15

 E-1 SZ-15 

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-15 over the Olympus E-1

 SZ-15 E-1 
AnnouncedJune 2013November 2003Fresher by 116 months
Display dimensions3"1.8"Larger display (+1.2")
Display resolution460k134kClearer display (+326k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-1 and Olympus SZ-15

 E-1 SZ-15 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch display Neither has Touch display

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus SZ-15 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry your camera often, you will have to consider its weight and volume. The Olympus E-1 has outside dimensions of 141mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 735 grams (1.62 lbs) and the Olympus SZ-15 has sizing of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") along with a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-1 vs Olympus SZ-15 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the E-1 vs the SZ-15.

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus SZ-15 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-1 and SZ-15 is 59 and 88 respectively.

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus SZ-15 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus SZ-15 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its difficult to see the contrast between sensor sizing just by reviewing technical specs. The photograph underneath will help offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-1 and SZ-15.

As you can tell, each of the cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-1 having a larger sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field easier and the Olympus SZ-15 will offer greater detail having an extra 11 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The older E-1 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus SZ-15 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus SZ-15 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus SZ-15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-1 Portrait photography factors
Olympus SZ-15 Portrait photography factors
46
focusing manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
no liveview feature
low resolution (5 megapixels)
44
focusing manually
decent MP (16MP)
has face detection focusing
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-1 as a Street photography camera
Olympus SZ-15 as a Street photography camera
57
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
environment proof
lighter than competition (735g)
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (250g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-1 Sports photography advice
Olympus SZ-15 Sports photography advice
40
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
environment proof
has phase detect AF
no liveview feature
slow fps (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (5 megapixels)
53
incredible zoom range (23-483mm 21.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-1 Travel photography advice
Olympus SZ-15 Travel photography advice
47
lighter than competition (735 grams)
environment proof
does not have Timelapse mode
low resolution (5MP)
does not contain selfie friendly display
68
lighter than competition (250g)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (23mm)
very long reach (483mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-1 as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus SZ-15 as a Landscape photography camera
46
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
environment proof
tiny screen (1.8 inches)
no liveview feature
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (5 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse mode
49
focusing manually
reasonably wide (23mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-1 Vlogging info
Olympus SZ-15 Vlogging info
9
can't shoot video
34
reasonably wide (23mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (250g)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic support
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Olympus E-1 vs Olympus SZ-15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-1 and Olympus SZ-15
 Olympus E-1Olympus SZ-15
General Information
Make Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus E-1 Olympus SZ-15
Category Pro DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2003-11-29 2013-06-21
Physical type Large SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 5 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 2560 x 1920 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 3 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 23-483mm (21.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Amount of lenses 45 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 1.8 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 134k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.48x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 8 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - 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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 735 gr (1.62 pounds) 250 gr (0.55 pounds)
Physical dimensions 141 x 104 x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 - SLB-10A
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $1,700 $200