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Olympus SZ-10 vs Pentax RS1500

Portability
90
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36
Olympus SZ-10 front
 
Pentax Optio RS1500 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
30
Overall
34

Olympus SZ-10 vs Pentax RS1500 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 RS1500
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-110mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Launched March 2011
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Olympus SZ-10 vs Pentax RS1500 Overview

Below is a detailed overview of the Olympus SZ-10 and Pentax RS1500, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SZ-10 (14MP) and the RS1500 (14MP) is pretty similar and both cameras posses the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ-10 was introduced around the same time to the RS1500 so they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting straight to a full comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the SZ-10 grades against the RS1500 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-10 over the Pentax RS1500

 SZ-10 RS1500 
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Olympus SZ-10

 RS1500 SZ-10 
Focus manually More exact focus

Common features in the Olympus SZ-10 and Pentax RS1500

 SZ-10 RS1500 
LaunchedFebruary 2011March 2011Similar generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Olympus SZ-10 vs Pentax RS1500 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to lug around your camera regularly, you will have to consider its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-10 enjoys outer measurements of 106mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 215 grams (0.47 lbs) while the Pentax RS1500 has specifications of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Examine the Olympus SZ-10 and Pentax RS1500 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have attached at the time. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the SZ-10 and the RS1500.

Olympus SZ-10 vs Pentax RS1500 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-10 and RS1500 is 90 and 93 respectively.

Olympus SZ-10 vs Pentax RS1500 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-10 vs Pentax RS1500 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very tough to imagine the gap between sensor measurements just by reading specs. The photograph underneath might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-10 and RS1500.

All in all, both cameras come with the identical sensor size and the same resolution so you should expect similar quality of photographs but you need to consider the release date of the products into consideration.

Olympus SZ-10 vs Pentax RS1500 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-10 vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-10 vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-10 Portrait photography advice
Pentax RS1500 Portrait photography advice
33
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
comes with face detect focus
no manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
35
focusing manually
MP count good (14MP)
no manual control
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-10 as a Street photography camera
Pentax RS1500 as a Street photography camera
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (215g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
54
environment proof
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-10 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax RS1500 as a Sports photography camera
40
long zoom range (28-504mm 18.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (14MP)
comes with tracking focus
max fps very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
low battery life (220 CIPA)
lacks phase detect auto focus
37
MP count good (14MP)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proof
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-10 Travel photography information
Pentax RS1500 Travel photography information
65
lighter than competition (215 grams)
MP count decent (14MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (28mm)
long reach (504mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
low battery life (220 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
67
environment proof
MP count good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-10
Landscape photography with Pentax RS1500
40
rather wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
low battery life (220 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse recording
40
focusing manually
quite wide (28mm)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
environment proof
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SZ-10
Vlogging with Pentax RS1500
31
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detect focus
lighter than competition (215g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone port
25
quite wide (28mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone socket
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Olympus SZ-10 vs Pentax RS1500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-10 and Pentax RS1500
 Olympus SZ-10Pentax Optio RS1500
General Information
Make Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus SZ-10 Pentax Optio RS1500
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-02-08 2011-03-16
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic III+ -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4288 x 3216 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-504mm (18.0x) 28-110mm (3.9x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-4.4 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT Color LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1500s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 7.10 m 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
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 215 grams (0.47 lb) 157 grams (0.35 lb)
Physical dimensions 106 x 67 x 38mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.5") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 220 images 260 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $300 $150