Clicky

Olympus SZ-11 vs Pentax K-x

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
37
Overall
37
Olympus SZ-11 front
 
Pentax K-x front
Portability
69
Imaging
52
Features
47
Overall
50

Olympus SZ-11 vs Pentax K-x Key Specs

Olympus SZ-11
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
  • Released July 2011
Pentax K-x
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Bump to 12800)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
  • Released December 2009
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Olympus SZ-11 vs Pentax K-x Overview

Following is a thorough analysis of the Olympus SZ-11 vs Pentax K-x, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the SZ-11 (14MP) and the K-x (12MP) is relatively well matched but the SZ-11 (1/2.3") and K-x (APS-C) come with totally different sensor measurements.

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

The SZ-11 was released 20 months after the K-x which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SZ-11 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-x being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going straight into a thorough comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the SZ-11 matches up against the K-x in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

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

 SZ-11 K-x 
ReleasedJuly 2011December 2009More modern by 20 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

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

 K-x SZ-11 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing

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

 SZ-11 K-x 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Olympus SZ-11 vs Pentax K-x Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry around your camera often, you're going to have to factor its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-11 has got external measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") and a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Pentax K-x has specifications of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") with a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus SZ-11 vs Pentax K-x in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have chosen during that time. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the SZ-11 and the K-x.

Olympus SZ-11 vs Pentax K-x size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ-11 and K-x is 89 and 69 respectively.

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

Olympus SZ-11 vs Pentax K-x Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is difficult to envision the contrast between sensor sizes just by looking at a spec sheet. The picture underneath will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-11 and K-x.

As you can see, the 2 cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The SZ-11 because of its tinier sensor will make achieving shallow DOF more difficult and the Olympus SZ-11 will give you extra detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The fresher SZ-11 is going to have an edge in sensor tech.

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

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

Olympus SZ-11 vs Pentax K-x Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Portrait photography info
Pentax K-x Portrait photography info
33
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
includes face detection focus
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
63
focusing manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Street photography highlights
Pentax K-x Street photography highlights
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors in class (226g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no moving screen
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Sports photography info
Pentax K-x Sports photography info
43
long zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (14MP)
includes tracking autofocus
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (200 shots)
has no phase detect auto focus
61
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
great battery life (1,900 shots)
comes with phase detect auto focus
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-x as a Travel photography camera
65
lighter than competitors in class (226g)
resolution is good (14MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
long reach (500mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
not so great battery pack (200 CIPA)
does not offer selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.0)
54
great battery life (1,900 per charge)
built-in flash
missing Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Landscape photography information
Pentax K-x Landscape photography information
40
fairly wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
no manual mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
not so great battery pack (200 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse function
61
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
great battery life (1,900 shots)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
missing Timelapse recording
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-x Vlogging highlights
31
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection focus
lighter than competitors in class (226 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
does not offer selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic support
27
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focus
does not have a selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone socket
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Olympus SZ-11 vs Pentax K-x Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-11 and Pentax K-x
 Olympus SZ-11Pentax K-x
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus SZ-11 Pentax K-x
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2011-07-27 2009-12-23
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III+ Prime
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 4288 x 3216 4288 x 2848
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Highest enhanced ISO - 12800
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 25-500mm (20.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.0-6.9 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Available lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT Color LCD TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 96%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 7.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 9.30 m (@ ISO 1600) 16.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear curtain, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps) 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226 gr (0.50 lb) 580 gr (1.28 lb)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 72
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.5
DXO Low light rating not tested 811
Other
Battery life 200 shots 1900 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $253 $600