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Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Pentax S1

Portability
69
Imaging
35
Features
27
Overall
31
Olympus SP-600 UZ front
 
Pentax Optio S1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Pentax S1 Key Specs

Olympus SP-600 UZ
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-420mm (F3.5-5.4) lens
  • 455g - 110 x 90 x 91mm
  • Released February 2010
  • Older Model is Olympus SP-590 UZ
  • Newer Model is Olympus SP-610UZ
Pentax S1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Released March 2011
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Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Pentax S1 Overview

On this page, we are reviewing the Olympus SP-600 UZ and Pentax S1, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the SP-600 UZ (12MP) and the S1 (14MP) is very similar and both cameras provide the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SP-600 UZ was brought out 13 months before the S1 making them a generation away from one another. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go into a thorough comparison, here is a simple summation of how the SP-600 UZ grades against the S1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-600 UZ over the Pentax S1

 SP-600 UZ S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Olympus SP-600 UZ

 S1 SP-600 UZ 
ReleasedMarch 2011February 2010More modern by 13 months

Common features in the Olympus SP-600 UZ and Pentax S1

 SP-600 UZ S1 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal display measurement
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Pentax S1 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry around your camera, you should consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SP-600 UZ enjoys physical measurements of 110mm x 90mm x 91mm (4.3" x 3.5" x 3.6") and a weight of 455 grams (1.00 lbs) while the Pentax S1 has dimensions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Examine the Olympus SP-600 UZ and Pentax S1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are working with at that time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the SP-600 UZ compared to the S1.

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Pentax S1 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SP-600 UZ and S1 is 69 and 93 respectively.

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Pentax S1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Pentax S1 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is tough to imagine the gap between sensor sizes just by reviewing specifications. The picture underneath might provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SP-600 UZ and S1.

To sum up, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You should expect to see the Pentax S1 to offer more detail having its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will let you crop images more aggressively. The more aged SP-600 UZ is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Pentax S1 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Pentax S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Pentax S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SP-600 UZ
Portrait photography with Pentax S1
27
focusing manually
no manual control
no external flash support
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
35
you can focus manually
MP count good (14 megapixels)
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-600 UZ Street photography highlights
Pentax S1 Street photography highlights
36
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
56
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-600 UZ Sports photography advice
Pentax S1 Sports photography advice
31
amazing zoom range (28-420mm 15.0 x zoom)
comes with tracking focus
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
39
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (14MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
low frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SP-600 UZ
Travel photography with Pentax S1
51
has built in flash
quite wide (28mm)
long zoom (420mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
MP count low (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
64
MP count good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse function
does not feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-600 UZ Landscape photography advice
Pentax S1 Landscape photography advice
29
focusing manually
quite wide (28mm)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse function
42
you can focus manually
quite wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SP-600 UZ
Vlogging with Pentax S1
20
quite wide (28mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not offer selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone socket
28
quite wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not feature selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic port
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Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Pentax S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-600 UZ and Pentax S1
 Olympus SP-600 UZPentax Optio S1
General Information
Make Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus SP-600 UZ Pentax Optio S1
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2010-02-02 2011-03-02
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic III -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3968 x 2976 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 143 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-420mm (15.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.4 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing range 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 1/2s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1500s
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.10 m 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 455 gr (1.00 lbs) 157 gr (0.35 lbs)
Physical dimensions 110 x 90 x 91mm (4.3" x 3.5" x 3.6") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 life - 260 images
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail pricing $189 $174