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Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony A9

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
37
Overall
37
Olympus SZ-11 front
 
Sony Alpha A9 front
Portability
65
Imaging
73
Features
93
Overall
81

Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony A9 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
Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Push to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
  • Revealed April 2017
  • Updated by Sony A9 II
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Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony A9 Overview

The following is a in-depth assessment of the Olympus SZ-11 and Sony A9, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Pro Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Sony. There is a big difference among the sensor resolutions of the SZ-11 (14MP) and A9 (24MP) and the SZ-11 (1/2.3") and A9 (Full frame) possess totally different sensor size.

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The SZ-11 was unveiled 6 years earlier than the A9 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SZ-11 being a Compact camera and the Sony A9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before going straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick view of how the SZ-11 scores against the A9 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-11 over the Sony A9

 SZ-11 A9 

Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Olympus SZ-11

 A9 SZ-11 
RevealedApril 2017July 2011Newer by 69 months
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1440k460kSharper display (+980k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus SZ-11 and Sony A9

 SZ-11 A9 
Display dimension3"3"Identical display size
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony A9 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you will need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-11 enjoys exterior dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Sony A9 has dimensions of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") and a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs).

Look at the Olympus SZ-11 and Sony A9 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the SZ-11 against the A9.

Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony A9 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-11 and A9 is 89 and 65 respectively.

Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony A9 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony A9 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's hard to visualise the contrast in sensor dimensions only by seeing specifications. The image below will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-11 and A9.

Plainly, each of the cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The SZ-11 with its smaller sensor will make achieving shallow DOF more difficult and the Sony A9 will provide greater detail having an extra 10MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The more aged SZ-11 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony A9 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony A9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A9 as a Portrait photography camera
33
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
supports face detect autofocus
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
83
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
features face detect focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Street photography highlights
Sony A9 Street photography highlights
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (226g)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
79
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
provides focus via touch
environment sealing
above average high ISO (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Sports photography highlights
Sony A9 Sports photography highlights
43
great zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (200 CIPA)
has no phase detect autofocus
86
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent shooting (1/32,000s)
high max fps (20.0 frames/s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
features tracking focus
environment sealing
good battery power (650 shots)
comes with phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A9 as a Travel photography camera
65
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
great reach (500mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
terrible battery power (200 shots)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.0)
73
good battery power (650 shots)
environment sealing
has bluetooth
provides focus via touch
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A9 Landscape photography highlights
40
pretty wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
terrible battery power (200 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
85
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
above average high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
good battery power (650 per charge)
two card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SZ-11
Vlogging with Sony A9
31
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect autofocus
lighter than competition in class (226g)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic socket
36
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detect focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
does have mic socket
screen is not selfie friendly
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Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony A9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-11 and Sony A9
 Olympus SZ-11Sony Alpha A9
General Information
Company Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus SZ-11 Sony Alpha A9
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Pro Mirrorless
Released 2011-07-27 2017-04-19
Physical type Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III+ BIONZ X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4288 x 3216 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 1600 51200
Highest boosted ISO - 204800
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Min boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 693
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 25-500mm (20.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.0-6.9 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Total lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460k dots 1,440k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,686k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Highest silent shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames/s 20.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 9.30 m (@ ISO 1600) no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps) -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 226g (0.50 lbs) 673g (1.48 lbs)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 92
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 24.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 3517
Other
Battery life 200 photos 650 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Card slots Single 2
Pricing at launch $253 $4,498