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Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony WX500

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
37
Overall
37
Olympus SZ-11 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500 front
Portability
91
Imaging
43
Features
56
Overall
48

Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony WX500 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
  • Revealed July 2011
Sony WX500
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 236g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Launched April 2015
  • Old Model is Sony WX350
Photography Glossary

Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony WX500 Overview

Let's look a bit more in depth at the Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony WX500, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by competitors Olympus and Sony. There exists a huge gap among the image resolutions of the SZ-11 (14MP) and WX500 (18MP) but they come with the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SZ-11 was revealed 4 years earlier than the WX500 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick summation of how the SZ-11 matches up against the WX500 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-11 over the Sony WX500

 SZ-11 WX500 

Reasons to pick Sony WX500 over the Olympus SZ-11

 WX500 SZ-11 
LaunchedApril 2015July 2011More modern by 45 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution921k460kClearer screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SZ-11 and Sony WX500

 SZ-11 WX500 
Manually focus No manual focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony WX500 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you have to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-11 features outer measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") having a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Sony WX500 has proportions of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") and a weight of 236 grams (0.52 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony WX500 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are working with at the time. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the SZ-11 and the WX500.

Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony WX500 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-11 and WX500 is 89 and 91 respectively.

Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony WX500 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony WX500 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is difficult to envision the contrast in sensor sizes purely by checking out a spec sheet. The image here might give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-11 and WX500.

Clearly, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Sony WX500 to show greater detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots far more aggressively. The more aged SZ-11 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony WX500 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony WX500 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony WX500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony WX500 as a Portrait photography camera
33
resolution is good (14MP)
includes face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
39
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
features face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Street photography information
Sony WX500 Street photography information
60
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others (226g)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
69
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (236g)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Sports photography advice
Sony WX500 Sports photography advice
43
amazing zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (14MP)
includes tracking autofocus
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (200 CIPA)
does not have phase detect auto focus
57
incredible zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
features tracking focus
good battery life (360 per charge)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 as a Travel photography camera
Sony WX500 as a Travel photography camera
65
lighter than others (226 grams)
resolution is good (14MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
long reach (500mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
terrible battery life (200 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.0)
71
good battery life (360 shots)
lighter than others (236 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
very long reach (720mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
does not have selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony WX500 as a Landscape photography camera
40
decently wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
terrible battery life (200 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse recording
49
rather wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
good battery life (360 per charge)
focusing manually not possible
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Vlogging features
Sony WX500 Vlogging features
31
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection focus
lighter than others (226g)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic socket
35
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others (236g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not have selfie friendly screen
does not have mic jack
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Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony WX500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-11 and Sony WX500
 Olympus SZ-11Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus SZ-11 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2011-07-27 2015-04-14
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III+ Bionz X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 3216 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 1600 12800
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-500mm (20.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Max aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.5-6.4
Macro focusing range 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 7.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 9.30 m (@ ISO 1600) 5.40 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear sync
External flash
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) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic input
Headphone input
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226 grams (0.50 lbs) 236 grams (0.52 lbs)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 200 shots 360 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $253 $348