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Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus SZ-15

Portability
54
Imaging
61
Features
93
Overall
73
Olympus OM-D E-M1X front
 
Olympus SZ-15 front
Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
50
Overall
44

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus SZ-15 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1X
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 997g - 144 x 147 x 75mm
  • Launched January 2019
  • Superseded the Olympus E-M1 II
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-M1X vs Olympus SZ-15 Overview

Its time to look a little more closely at the Olympus E-M1X versus Olympus SZ-15, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are created by Olympus. There is a crucial difference between the sensor resolutions of the E-M1X (20MP) and SZ-15 (16MP) and the E-M1X (Four Thirds) and SZ-15 (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-M1X was launched 5 years later than the SZ-15 and that is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-M1X being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus SZ-15 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick overview of how the E-M1X grades vs the SZ-15 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1X over the Olympus SZ-15

 E-M1X SZ-15 
AnnouncedJanuary 2019June 2013More recent by 69 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1037k460kClearer display (+577k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-15 over the Olympus E-M1X

 SZ-15 E-M1X 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1X and Olympus SZ-15

 E-M1X SZ-15 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Display dimension3"3"Identical display dimensions

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus SZ-15 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to lug around your camera regularly, you will have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-M1X enjoys outer dimensions of 144mm x 147mm x 75mm (5.7" x 5.8" x 3.0") along with a weight of 997 grams (2.20 lbs) and the Olympus SZ-15 has measurements of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") along with a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs).

See the Olympus E-M1X versus Olympus SZ-15 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the E-M1X vs the SZ-15.

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus SZ-15 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the E-M1X and SZ-15 is 54 and 88 respectively.

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus SZ-15 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus SZ-15 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to envision the contrast between sensor measurements merely by looking at a spec sheet. The photograph below will give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M1X and SZ-15.

As you can see, both of these cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The E-M1X due to its larger sensor will make achieving bokeh easier and the Olympus E-M1X will give you extra detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images much more aggressively. The more recent E-M1X will have an edge in sensor technology.

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus SZ-15 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus SZ-15 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus SZ-15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-M1X
Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-15
76
manual focus
resolution is good (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focus
saves RAW files
44
focusing manually
MP count good (16MP)
supports face detect focus
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Street photography info
Olympus SZ-15 Street photography info
67
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
comes with focus via touch
environment proof
above average ISO range (25,600)
heavier than competitors in class (997g)
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (250g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Sports photography information
Olympus SZ-15 Sports photography information
80
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
quiet mode (1/32,000s)
max fps high (60.0 fps)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
environment proof
great battery (870 CIPA)
comes with phase detect auto focus
53
amazing zoom range (23-483mm 21.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
supports tracking focus
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1X as a Travel photography camera
Olympus SZ-15 as a Travel photography camera
68
great battery (870 per charge)
environment proof
connects via bluetooth
comes with focus via touch
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
display is selfie friendly
heavier than competitors in class (997 grams)
68
lighter than others in class (250 grams)
MP count good (16MP)
built-in flash
quite wide (23mm)
long zoom (483mm)
does not have Timelapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1X as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus SZ-15 as a Landscape photography camera
79
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
environment proof
great battery (870 shots)
two card slots
49
focusing manually
quite wide (23mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Vlogging advice
Olympus SZ-15 Vlogging advice
68
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect focus
high video quality (4096 x 2160 resolution)
does have mic socket
heavier than competitors in class (997 grams)
34
quite wide (23mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others in class (250g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have microphone support
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Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus SZ-15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1X and Olympus SZ-15
 Olympus OM-D E-M1XOlympus SZ-15
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1X Olympus SZ-15
Type Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2019-01-24 2013-06-21
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Dual TruePic VIII -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5184 x 3888 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 25600 3200
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW images
Lowest enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 121 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 23-483mm (21.0x)
Max aperture - f/2.8-5.9
Macro focus range - 5cm
Available lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 1,037k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech - LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
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
Max quiet shutter speed 1/32000 seconds -
Continuous shutter rate 60.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 3.50 m
Flash options 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
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 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 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 AVI MPEG4, Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes (USB-PD allows charging by laptop or external power bank) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Built-in BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 997 gr (2.20 lbs) 250 gr (0.55 lbs)
Dimensions 144 x 147 x 75mm (5.7" x 5.8" x 3.0") 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 870 images -
Type of battery Built-in -
Battery model - SLB-10A
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage - SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Dual Single
Price at release $2,999 $200