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Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony A850

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
37
Overall
37
Olympus SZ-11 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front
Portability
54
Imaging
68
Features
60
Overall
64

Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony A850 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
Sony A850
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Boost to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Revealed April 2010
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Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony A850 Overview

Let's examine more closely at the Olympus SZ-11 and Sony A850, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Olympus and Sony. There is a sizable difference between the image resolutions of the SZ-11 (14MP) and A850 (25MP) and the SZ-11 (1/2.3") and A850 (Full frame) possess totally different sensor sizes.

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The SZ-11 was announced 16 months later than the A850 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SZ-11 being a Compact camera and the Sony A850 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving through a complete comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the SZ-11 matches up vs the A850 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-11 over the Sony A850

 SZ-11 A850 
RevealedJuly 2011April 2010Fresher by 16 months

Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Olympus SZ-11

 A850 SZ-11 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Screen resolution922k460kSharper screen (+462k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SZ-11 and Sony A850

 SZ-11 A850 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen dimensions
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony A850 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera frequently, you should think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-11 comes with outside measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") along with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Sony A850 has dimensions of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") along with a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

See the Olympus SZ-11 and Sony A850 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have attached at that moment. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the SZ-11 against the A850.

Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony A850 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-11 and A850 is 89 and 54 respectively.

Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony A850 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony A850 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be tough to see the contrast between sensor sizing merely by looking at specs. The photograph underneath might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-11 and A850.

All in all, both cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The SZ-11 with its tinier sensor will make achieving bokeh more difficult and the Sony A850 will resolve extra detail with its extra 11 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots much more aggressively. The more modern SZ-11 will have a benefit in sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony A850 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony A850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Portrait photography features
Sony A850 Portrait photography features
33
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
offers face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
72
focusing manually
megapixel count amazing (25 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Street photography info
Sony A850 Street photography info
60
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others (226 grams)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
big sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Sports photography features
Sony A850 Sports photography features
43
long zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery life (200 CIPA)
has no phase detect AF
71
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count amazing (25 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Travel photography factors
Sony A850 Travel photography factors
65
lighter than others (226g)
resolution is good (14MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
very long reach (500mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
bad battery life (200 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
55
environment proofing
megapixel count amazing (25MP)
missing Timelapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A850 as a Landscape photography camera
40
decently wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual exposure
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
bad battery life (200 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
73
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count amazing (25MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
2 card slots
doesn't have liveview
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Vlogging details
Sony A850 Vlogging details
31
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect focusing
lighter than others (226 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone socket
9
lack of video recording
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Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony A850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-11 and Sony A850
 Olympus SZ-11Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
General Information
Company Olympus Sony
Model Olympus SZ-11 Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Launched 2011-07-27 2010-04-15
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III+ Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 25 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4288 x 3216 6048 x 4032
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Highest boosted ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 80 200
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 25-500mm (20.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.0-6.9 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Available lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech TFT Color LCD TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 98 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.74x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 7.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 9.30 m (@ ISO 1600) no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/250 secs
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) -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 None
Video format Motion JPEG -
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226 gr (0.50 pounds) 895 gr (1.97 pounds)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 79
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.2
DXO Low light score not tested 1415
Other
Battery life 200 photos 880 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo
Card slots 1 Dual
Retail cost $253 $0