Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus SZ-15
71 Imaging
52 Features
85 Overall
65
88 Imaging
39 Features
50 Overall
43
Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus SZ-15 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 497g - 130 x 94 x 63mm
- Introduced October 2013
- New Model is Olympus E-M1 II
(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
- Launched June 2013
Photography Glossary Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus SZ-15 Overview
Here is a extended overview of the Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus SZ-15, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are manufactured by Olympus. The sensor resolution of the E-M1 (16MP) and the SZ-15 (16MP) is fairly close but the E-M1 (Four Thirds) and SZ-15 (1/2.3") posses totally different sensor size.
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD CardsThe E-M1 was released 5 months later than the SZ-15 and they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus SZ-15 being a Compact camera.
Before diving into a complete comparison, here is a concise view of how the E-M1 scores versus the SZ-15 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
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Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus OM-D E-M1 and Olympus SZ-15. The complete galleries are provided at Olympus E-M1 Gallery and Olympus SZ-15 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Olympus SZ-15
| E-M1 | SZ-15 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display type | Tilting | Fixed | Tilting display | |
| Display resolution | 1037k | 460k | Crisper display (+577k dot) | |
| Touch friendly display | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-15 over the Olympus E-M1
| SZ-15 | E-M1 |
|---|
Common features in the Olympus E-M1 and Olympus SZ-15
| E-M1 | SZ-15 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | October 2013 | June 2013 | Same generation | |
| Manual focus | More precise focusing | |||
| Display size | 3" | 3" | Same display size | |
| Selfie screen | Neither includes selfie screen |
Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus SZ-15 Physical Comparison
In case you're aiming to carry your camera regularly, you have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-M1 features external dimensions of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") with a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs) whilst the Olympus SZ-15 has dimensions of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") and a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs).
Check out the Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus SZ-15 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are using at the time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the E-M1 compared to the SZ-15.

Using size and weight, the portability score of the E-M1 and SZ-15 is 71 and 88 respectively.
Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus SZ-15 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is tough to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing purely by researching specs. The graphic underneath should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the E-M1 and SZ-15.
As you can plainly see, both of those cameras feature the identical MP but not the same sensor sizing. The E-M1 offers the larger sensor which is going to make getting shallower DOF less difficult.
Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus SZ-15 Screen and ViewFinder
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Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus SZ-15 Specifications
| Olympus OM-D E-M1 | Olympus SZ-15 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Manufacturer | Olympus | Olympus |
| Model | Olympus OM-D E-M1 | Olympus SZ-15 |
| Class | Pro Mirrorless | Small Sensor Superzoom |
| Introduced | 2013-10-28 | 2013-06-21 |
| Body design | SLR-style mirrorless | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor | TruePIC VII | - |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
| Sensor size | Four Thirds | 1/2.3" |
| Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
| Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 28.1mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Max resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4608 x 3456 |
| Max native ISO | 25600 | 3200 |
| Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
| RAW photos | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Touch to focus | ||
| AF continuous | ||
| Single AF | ||
| Tracking AF | ||
| AF selectice | ||
| Center weighted AF | ||
| Multi area AF | ||
| Live view AF | ||
| Face detection focusing | ||
| Contract detection focusing | ||
| Phase detection focusing | ||
| Number of focus points | 81 | - |
| Cross focus points | - | - |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mounting type | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
| Lens focal range | - | 23-483mm (21.0x) |
| Maximal aperture | - | f/2.8-5.9 |
| Macro focus range | - | 5cm |
| Available lenses | 107 | - |
| Crop factor | 2.1 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Tilting | Fixed Type |
| Screen sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
| Screen resolution | 1,037k dot | 460k dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch function | ||
| Screen tech | - | LCD |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Electronic | None |
| Viewfinder resolution | 2,360k dot | - |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | - |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.74x | - |
| Features | ||
| Min shutter speed | 60 seconds | 8 seconds |
| Max shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
| Continuous shutter speed | 10.0fps | 10.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Custom WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash range | no built-in flash | 3.50 m |
| Flash options | Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain), Manual | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync |
| External flash | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Max flash sync | 1/320 seconds | - |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment | ||
| Average | ||
| Spot | ||
| Partial | ||
| AF area | ||
| Center weighted | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288) |
| Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
| Video data format | H.264, Motion JPEG | AVI MPEG4, Motion JPEG |
| Microphone input | ||
| Headphone input | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | Built-In | Built-In |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | BuiltIn |
| Physical | ||
| Environment seal | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 497 grams (1.10 lbs) | 250 grams (0.55 lbs) |
| Physical dimensions | 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") | 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall score | 73 | not tested |
| DXO Color Depth score | 23.0 | not tested |
| DXO Dynamic range score | 12.7 | not tested |
| DXO Low light score | 757 | not tested |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 350 shots | - |
| Type of battery | Battery Pack | - |
| Battery model | BLN-1 | SLB-10A |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
| Storage slots | Single | Single |
| Pricing at release | $799 | $200 |