Olympus SZ-15 vs Olympus XZ-1
88 Imaging
40 Features
50 Overall
44


88 Imaging
35 Features
51 Overall
41
Olympus SZ-15 vs Olympus XZ-1 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 23-483mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
- 250g - 108 x 70 x 40mm
- Introduced June 2013
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
- 275g - 111 x 65 x 42mm
- Introduced January 2011

Olympus SZ-15 vs Olympus XZ-1 Overview
Below is a extended review of the Olympus SZ-15 versus Olympus XZ-1, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are built by Olympus. There is a sizeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the SZ-15 (16MP) and XZ-1 (10MP) and the SZ-15 (1/2.3") and XZ-1 (1/1.63") provide totally different sensor sizing.

The SZ-15 was released 2 years later than the XZ-1 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before getting straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a concise overview of how the SZ-15 matches up vs the XZ-1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Olympus XZ-1 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus SZ-15 and Olympus XZ-1. The complete galleries are available at Olympus SZ-15 Gallery and Olympus XZ-1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-15 over the Olympus XZ-1
SZ-15 | XZ-1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | June 2013 | ![]() | January 2011 | More recent by 30 months |
Reasons to pick Olympus XZ-1 over the Olympus SZ-15
XZ-1 | SZ-15 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display resolution | 614k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper display (+154k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus SZ-15 and Olympus XZ-1
SZ-15 | XZ-1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial precise focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display measurement |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither features Touch friendly display |
Olympus SZ-15 vs Olympus XZ-1 Physical Comparison
If you are looking to lug around your camera, you're going to have to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-15 enjoys physical measurements of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") having a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) while the Olympus XZ-1 has specifications of 111mm x 65mm x 42mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 275 grams (0.61 lbs).
Compare the Olympus SZ-15 versus Olympus XZ-1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you choose at that time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the SZ-15 against the XZ-1.

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-15 and XZ-1 is 88 and 88 respectively.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Olympus XZ-1 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it can be difficult to see the contrast in sensor measurements purely by viewing a spec sheet. The photograph underneath should provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-15 and XZ-1.
As you can see, each of these cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The SZ-15 because of its smaller sensor will make getting shallower DOF trickier and the Olympus SZ-15 will render extra detail as a result of its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop images more aggressively. The more modern SZ-15 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Olympus XZ-1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Olympus XZ-1 Specifications
Olympus SZ-15 | Olympus XZ-1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Olympus |
Model type | Olympus SZ-15 | Olympus XZ-1 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2013-06-21 | 2011-01-26 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | - | TruePic V |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/1.63" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 8.07 x 5.56mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 44.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 10MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 3664 x 2752 |
Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | - | 11 |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 23-483mm (21.0x) | 28-112mm (4.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/2.8-5.9 | f/1.8-2.5 |
Macro focusing distance | 5cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 4.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3" | 3" |
Display resolution | 460 thousand dot | 614 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Display technology | LCD | OLED |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Electronic (optional) |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 8 seconds | 60 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 10.0 frames per sec | 2.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.50 m | 8.60 m (ISO 800) |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | AVI MPEG4, Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | BuiltIn | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 250 grams (0.55 pounds) | 275 grams (0.61 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") | 111 x 65 x 42mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | 34 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 18.8 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 10.4 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 117 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 320 shots |
Form of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | SLB-10A | Li-50B |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail cost | $200 | $567 |