Olympus SZ-15 vs Olympus 1s

Here, we are analyzing the Olympus SZ-15 vs Olympus 1s, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras and they are both created by Olympus. There is a substantial difference between the image resolutions of the SZ-15 (16MP) and 1s (12MP) and the SZ-15 (1/2.3") and 1s (1/1.7") offer totally different sensor dimensions.

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The SZ-15 was introduced 22 months prior to the 1s making them a generation apart from each other. The two cameras feature different body design with the Olympus SZ-15 being a Compact camera and the Olympus 1s being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief overview of how the SZ-15 matches up versus the 1s in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus SZ-15 & Olympus Stylus 1s. The whole galleries are viewable at Olympus SZ-15 Gallery & Olympus 1s Gallery.

For anybody who is planning to carry your camera regularly, you'll have to think about its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-15 offers outside measurements of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) and the Olympus 1s has specifications of 116mm x 87mm x 57mm (4.6" x 3.4" x 2.2") along with a weight of 402 grams (0.89 lbs).

Look at the Olympus SZ-15 vs Olympus 1s in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have during that time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the SZ-15 and the 1s.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-15 and 1s is 88 and 79 respectively.

Oftentimes, it is hard to visualise the difference between sensor sizing simply by reading through technical specs. The visual underneath will give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-15 and 1s.

As you have seen, each of these cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The SZ-15 with its tinier sensor will make achieving shallow DOF more difficult and the Olympus SZ-15 will resolve greater detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop images way more aggressively. The older SZ-15 is going to be behind in sensor technology.