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Olympus SZ-10 vs Pentax Q

Portability
90
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36
Olympus SZ-10 front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
47
Overall
40

Olympus SZ-10 vs Pentax Q Key Specs

Olympus SZ-10
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-504mm (F3.1-4.4) lens
  • 215g - 106 x 67 x 38mm
  • Released February 2011
Pentax Q
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
  • Announced June 2011
  • Replacement is Pentax Q10
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Olympus SZ-10 vs Pentax Q Overview

Its time to look a little more in depth at the Olympus SZ-10 vs Pentax Q, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the SZ-10 (14MP) and the Q (12MP) is very close and they come with the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ-10 was launched 4 months before the Q and they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SZ-10 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving in to a in-depth comparison, below is a concise view of how the SZ-10 matches up against the Q with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-10 over the Pentax Q

 SZ-10 Q 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Olympus SZ-10

 Q SZ-10 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing

Common features in the Olympus SZ-10 and Pentax Q

 SZ-10 Q 
AnnouncedFebruary 2011June 2011Same generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement
Display resolution460k460kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch display Neither has Touch display

Olympus SZ-10 vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus SZ-10 has exterior measurements of 106mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.5") along with a weight of 215 grams (0.47 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q has sizing of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") and a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

Look at the Olympus SZ-10 vs Pentax Q in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you use at that time. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the SZ-10 versus the Q.

Olympus SZ-10 vs Pentax Q size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-10 and Q is 90 and 93 respectively.

Olympus SZ-10 vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-10 vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

Generally, its tough to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes simply by viewing technical specs. The image underneath may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-10 and Q.

As you can tell, both of those cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Olympus SZ-10 to provide you with greater detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop photos much more aggressively.

Olympus SZ-10 vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-10 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-10 Portrait photography advice
Pentax Q Portrait photography advice
33
decent megapixels (14MP)
comes with face detect focusing
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
45
manual focus
above average flash sync (1/2,000s)
supports RAW files
low resolution sensor (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-10 Street photography highlights
Pentax Q Street photography highlights
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average (215g)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW files
lighter than others in class (180g)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SZ-10
Sports photography with Pentax Q
40
incredible zoom range (28-504mm 18.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
bad battery power (220 shots)
lacks phase detect AF
32
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features tracking focus
max fps low (2.0 frames per second)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (230 per charge)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-10 Travel photography details
Pentax Q Travel photography details
65
lighter than average (215g)
decent megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
great reach (504mm)
no Time Lapse recording
bad battery power (220 per charge)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
57
lighter than others in class (180g)
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse function
terrible battery pack (230 shots)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-10
Landscape photography with Pentax Q
40
really wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual exposure
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
bad battery power (220 CIPA)
no Time Lapse recording
51
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax Q mount)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW files
low resolution sensor (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (230 shots)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-10 Vlogging info
Pentax Q Vlogging info
31
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detect focusing
lighter than average (215 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic port
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others in class (180 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of microphone support
Photography Glossary

Olympus SZ-10 vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-10 and Pentax Q
 Olympus SZ-10Pentax Q
General Information
Company Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus SZ-10 Pentax Q
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2011-02-08 2011-06-23
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III+ -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 125
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens focal range 28-504mm (18.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.1-4.4 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Total lenses - 8
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech TFT Color LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 7.10 m 5.60 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/2000s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 gr (0.47 lb) 180 gr (0.40 lb)
Dimensions 106 x 67 x 38mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.5") 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 47
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.2
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.1
DXO Low light score not tested 189
Other
Battery life 220 photos 230 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Price at release $300 $695