Olympus SZ-10 vs Pentax X-5
90 Imaging
37 Features
36 Overall
36


65 Imaging
39 Features
50 Overall
43
Olympus SZ-10 vs Pentax X-5 Key Specs
(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
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 22-580mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
- 595g - 119 x 86 x 107mm
- Revealed August 2012

Olympus SZ-10 vs Pentax X-5 Overview
Its time to look a bit more closely at the Olympus SZ-10 versus Pentax X-5, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the SZ-10 (14MP) and the X-5 (16MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras provide the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

The SZ-10 was launched 18 months earlier than the X-5 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus SZ-10 being a Compact camera and the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.
Before going straight to a detailed comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the SZ-10 grades vs the X-5 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Olympus SZ-10 vs Pentax X-5 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus SZ-10 & Pentax X-5. The complete galleries are viewable at Olympus SZ-10 Gallery & Pentax X-5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-10 over the Pentax X-5
SZ-10 | X-5 |
---|
Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Olympus SZ-10
X-5 | SZ-10 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | August 2012 | ![]() | February 2011 | Fresher by 18 months |
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial precise focusing | ||
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Common features in the Olympus SZ-10 and Pentax X-5
SZ-10 | X-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen size |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 460k | Identical screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Missing Touch screen |
Olympus SZ-10 vs Pentax X-5 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is planning to carry your camera frequently, you will have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-10 has outer measurements of 106mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.5") and a weight of 215 grams (0.47 lbs) whilst the Pentax X-5 has dimensions of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") with a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs).
Contrast the Olympus SZ-10 versus Pentax X-5 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you select at that moment. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the SZ-10 and the X-5.

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-10 and X-5 is 90 and 65 respectively.

Olympus SZ-10 vs Pentax X-5 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, its tough to visualise the difference between sensor sizing purely by reading through technical specs. The graphic below should provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-10 and X-5.
As you have seen, each of the cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Pentax X-5 to resolve greater detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The older SZ-10 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-10 vs Pentax X-5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-10 vs Pentax X-5 Specifications
Olympus SZ-10 | Pentax X-5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Pentax |
Model type | Olympus SZ-10 | Pentax X-5 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Introduced | 2011-02-08 | 2012-08-22 |
Physical type | Compact | SLR-like (bridge) |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | TruePic III+ | - |
Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 4608 x 3456 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-504mm (18.0x) | 22-580mm (26.4x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.1-4.4 | f/3.1-5.9 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display size | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of display | 460 thousand dots | 460 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Display tech | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 230 thousand dots |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 4 seconds | 4 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/1500 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 1.0fps | 10.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 7.10 m | 9.10 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | - |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
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 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 215g (0.47 pounds) | 595g (1.31 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 106 x 67 x 38mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.5") | 119 x 86 x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") |
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 | 220 images | 330 images |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | LI-50B | 4 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Cost at release | $300 | $230 |