Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony RX1R

Below is a extended comparison of the Olympus SZ-11 and Sony RX1R, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Sony. There exists a sizable gap between the sensor resolutions of the SZ-11 (14MP) and RX1R (24MP) and the SZ-11 (1/2.3") and RX1R (Full frame) feature totally different sensor sizes.

Photography Glossary

The SZ-11 was unveiled 23 months before the RX1R which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SZ-11 being a Compact camera and the Sony RX1R being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before diving in to a detailed comparison, below is a quick summary of how the SZ-11 scores against the RX1R in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Here is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus SZ-11 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R. The full galleries are viewable at Olympus SZ-11 Gallery & Sony RX1R Gallery.

For anyone who is intending to lug around your camera regularly, you'll need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-11 has got physical measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") having a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Sony RX1R has proportions of 113mm x 65mm x 70mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8") and a weight of 482 grams (1.06 lbs).

Look at the Olympus SZ-11 and Sony RX1R in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are employing during that time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the SZ-11 versus the RX1R.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-11 and RX1R is 89 and 79 respectively.

Quite often, it is tough to envision the difference between sensor measurements purely by checking a spec sheet. The visual underneath might provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-11 and RX1R.

Clearly, the 2 cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The SZ-11 using its tinier sensor will make getting bokeh tougher and the Sony RX1R will give extra detail having an extra 10 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The older SZ-11 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.