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Olympus SZ-10 vs Pentax MX-1

Portability
90
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36
Olympus SZ-10 front
 
Pentax MX-1 front
Portability
84
Imaging
37
Features
60
Overall
46

Olympus SZ-10 vs Pentax MX-1 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-10
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-504mm (F3.1-4.4) lens
  • 215g - 106 x 67 x 38mm
  • Introduced February 2011
Pentax MX-1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
  • 391g - 122 x 61 x 51mm
  • Released July 2013
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Olympus SZ-10 vs Pentax MX-1 Overview

The following is a complete comparison of the Olympus SZ-10 versus Pentax MX-1, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the SZ-10 (14MP) and the MX-1 (12MP) is relatively close but the SZ-10 (1/2.3") and MX-1 (1/1.7") provide different sensor sizes.

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The SZ-10 was announced 3 years prior to the MX-1 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a simple overview of how the SZ-10 matches up against the MX-1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-10 over the Pentax MX-1

 SZ-10 MX-1 

Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Olympus SZ-10

 MX-1 SZ-10 
ReleasedJuly 2013February 2011Newer by 29 months
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution920k460kClearer screen (+460k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SZ-10 and Pentax MX-1

 SZ-10 MX-1 
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Olympus SZ-10 vs Pentax MX-1 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to travel with your camera frequently, you will need to factor its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-10 features exterior measurements of 106mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.5") having a weight of 215 grams (0.47 lbs) and the Pentax MX-1 has specifications of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") with a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs).

Examine the Olympus SZ-10 versus Pentax MX-1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are working with at the time. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the SZ-10 against the MX-1.

Olympus SZ-10 vs Pentax MX-1 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ-10 and MX-1 is 90 and 84 respectively.

Olympus SZ-10 vs Pentax MX-1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-10 vs Pentax MX-1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be hard to picture the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by researching specifications. The picture underneath may give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-10 and MX-1.

To sum up, each of the cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The SZ-10 with its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF trickier and the Olympus SZ-10 will result in extra detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more aged SZ-10 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-10 vs Pentax MX-1 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-10 vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-10 vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-10 Portrait photography factors
Pentax MX-1 Portrait photography factors
33
megapixel count good (14MP)
features face detection focus
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
42
focusing manually
has face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-10 as a Street photography camera
Pentax MX-1 as a Street photography camera
60
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others (215 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
65
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW files
sensor is small (1/1.7")
heavier than competitors in class (391 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-10 Sports photography details
Pentax MX-1 Sports photography details
40
excellent zoom range (28-504mm 18.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
low fps (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
low battery (220 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
43
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has tracking focus
great battery (290 shots)
max frames per second low (1.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-10 Travel photography info
Pentax MX-1 Travel photography info
65
lighter than others (215g)
megapixel count good (14MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (28mm)
long zoom (504mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
low battery (220 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
61
great battery (290 CIPA)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
missing Time Lapse mode
heavier than competitors in class (391 grams)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-10 Landscape photography info
Pentax MX-1 Landscape photography info
40
quite wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
low battery (220 shots)
lack of Timelapse mode
55
focusing manually
fairly wide (28mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW files
great battery (290 shots)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-10 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax MX-1 as a Vlogging camera
31
quite wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection focus
lighter than others (215g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone port
33
fairly wide (28mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
missing mic socket
heavier than competitors in class (391g)
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Olympus SZ-10 vs Pentax MX-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-10 and Pentax MX-1
 Olympus SZ-10Pentax MX-1
General Information
Company Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus SZ-10 Pentax MX-1
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-02-08 2013-07-01
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III+ -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 12800
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-504mm (18.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.1-4.4 f/1.8-2.5
Macro focus distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 4.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT Color LCD TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 7.10 m 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 215g (0.47 pounds) 391g (0.86 pounds)
Physical dimensions 106 x 67 x 38mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.5") 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 49
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.4
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.3
DXO Low light score not tested 208
Other
Battery life 220 photographs 290 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B D-Li-106
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $300 $400