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Olympus SZ-11 vs Pentax K-01

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
37
Overall
37
Olympus SZ-11 front
 
Pentax K-01 front
Portability
76
Imaging
57
Features
68
Overall
61

Olympus SZ-11 vs Pentax K-01 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-11
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
  • Launched July 2011
Pentax K-01
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 561g - 122 x 79 x 58mm
  • Launched May 2012
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Olympus SZ-11 vs Pentax K-01 Overview

Let's examine more in depth at the Olympus SZ-11 and Pentax K-01, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the SZ-11 (14MP) and the K-01 (16MP) is relatively close but the SZ-11 (1/2.3") and K-01 (APS-C) possess totally different sensor measurements.

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The SZ-11 was announced 10 months before the K-01 and they are of a similar age. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SZ-11 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-01 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight into a complete comparison, below is a brief summary of how the SZ-11 grades versus the K-01 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-11 over the Pentax K-01

 SZ-11 K-01 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-01 over the Olympus SZ-11

 K-01 SZ-11 
LaunchedMay 2012July 2011Newer by 10 months
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SZ-11 and Pentax K-01

 SZ-11 K-01 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Olympus SZ-11 vs Pentax K-01 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you will want to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-11 has outer dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Pentax K-01 has proportions of 122mm x 79mm x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") having a weight of 561 grams (1.24 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus SZ-11 and Pentax K-01 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. Here is the front view scale comparison of the SZ-11 versus the K-01.

Olympus SZ-11 vs Pentax K-01 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-11 and K-01 is 89 and 76 respectively.

Olympus SZ-11 vs Pentax K-01 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-11 vs Pentax K-01 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's tough to visualise the contrast in sensor dimensions only by researching specs. The pic underneath might give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-11 and K-01.

As you can plainly see, both cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The SZ-11 with its smaller sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field more difficult and the Pentax K-01 will provide you with greater detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots far more aggressively. The more aged SZ-11 will be behind in sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-11 vs Pentax K-01 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-11 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-11 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Portrait photography information
Pentax K-01 Portrait photography information
33
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
includes face detect focus
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
74
manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with face detect focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Street photography features
Pentax K-01 Street photography features
60
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average (226 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is fixed
more heavy than competition (561 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Sports photography advice
Pentax K-01 Sports photography advice
43
amazing zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (200 per charge)
lacks phase detect auto focus
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
great battery pack (540 shots)
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames per second)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Travel photography information
Pentax K-01 Travel photography information
65
lighter than average (226 grams)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
great zoom (500mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
terrible battery pack (200 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
65
great battery pack (540 CIPA)
resolution is good (16MP)
built-in flash
more heavy than competition (561g)
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-11
Landscape photography with Pentax K-01
40
rather wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
manual mode not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
terrible battery pack (200 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
80
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
great battery pack (540 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Vlogging info
Pentax K-01 Vlogging info
31
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect focus
lighter than average (226 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone port
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with microphone jack
does not contain selfie friendly display
more heavy than competition (561 grams)
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Olympus SZ-11 vs Pentax K-01 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-11 and Pentax K-01
 Olympus SZ-11Pentax K-01
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus SZ-11 Pentax K-01
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2011-07-27 2012-05-30
Body design Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III+ -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4288 x 3216 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 1600 12800
Highest enhanced ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 81
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 25-500mm (20.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.0-6.9 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Total lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech TFT Color LCD TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 7.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 9.30 m (@ ISO 1600) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/180 seconds
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, 25, 24 fps),1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226 gr (0.50 lb) 561 gr (1.24 lb)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 122 x 79 x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 79
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.9
DXO Low light rating not tested 1135
Other
Battery life 200 photos 540 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $253 $899