Olympus SZ-10 vs Pentax XG-1
90 Imaging
37 Features
36 Overall
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66 Imaging
40 Features
37 Overall
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Olympus SZ-10 vs Pentax XG-1 Key Specs
(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
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-1248mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
- 567g - 119 x 89 x 98mm
- Launched July 2014

Olympus SZ-10 vs Pentax XG-1 Overview
Following is a in depth analysis of the Olympus SZ-10 versus Pentax XG-1, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the SZ-10 (14MP) and the XG-1 (16MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras provide the same sensor size (1/2.3").

The SZ-10 was launched 4 years earlier than the XG-1 which is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus SZ-10 being a Compact camera and the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.
Before we go right into a more detailed comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the SZ-10 matches up versus the XG-1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Olympus SZ-10 vs Pentax XG-1 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus SZ-10 and Pentax XG-1. The complete galleries are viewable at Olympus SZ-10 Gallery and Pentax XG-1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-10 over the Pentax XG-1
SZ-10 | XG-1 |
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Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Olympus SZ-10
XG-1 | SZ-10 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | July 2014 | ![]() | February 2011 | More modern by 41 months |
Manual focus | ![]() | More accurate focusing |
Common features in the Olympus SZ-10 and Pentax XG-1
SZ-10 | XG-1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal screen size |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 460k | Identical screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Absent Touch friendly screen |
Olympus SZ-10 vs Pentax XG-1 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is planning to carry around your camera frequently, you'll have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-10 provides outer 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 XG-1 has dimensions of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") having a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs).
Analyze the Olympus SZ-10 versus Pentax XG-1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the SZ-10 vs the XG-1.

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-10 and XG-1 is 90 and 66 respectively.

Olympus SZ-10 vs Pentax XG-1 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it can be difficult to envision the difference between sensor sizes only by checking specs. The picture below may provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-10 and XG-1.
All in all, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Pentax XG-1 to resolve more detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The more aged SZ-10 is going to be behind in sensor tech.

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


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-10 vs Pentax XG-1 Specifications
Olympus SZ-10 | Pentax XG-1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Olympus | Pentax |
Model | Olympus SZ-10 | Pentax XG-1 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Released | 2011-02-08 | 2014-07-15 |
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 | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14MP | 16MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 4608 x 3456 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-504mm (18.0x) | 24-1248mm (52.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.1-4.4 | f/2.8-5.6 |
Macro focus distance | 1cm | 1cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Screen resolution | 460k dots | 460k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen tech | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 200k dots |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 4 seconds | 4 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 1.0fps | 9.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 7.10 m | 6.00 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | Force Off, Flash Auto, Force Flash, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. + Red-Eye, Red-Eye Reduction |
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) | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (120 fps) |
Max 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 | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 215 grams (0.47 pounds) | 567 grams (1.25 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 106 x 67 x 38mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.5") | 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") |
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 | 240 images |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | LI-50B | LB-060 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Price at release | $300 | $599 |