Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax K-5
88 Imaging
40 Features
50 Overall
44


60 Imaging
56 Features
82 Overall
66
Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax K-5 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 23-483mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
- 250g - 108 x 70 x 40mm
- Announced June 2013
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 12800 (Push to 51200)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
- Launched December 2010
- Previous Model is Pentax K-7
- Successor is Pentax K-5 IIs

Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax K-5 Overview
On this page, we are matching up the Olympus SZ-15 versus Pentax K-5, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the SZ-15 (16MP) and the K-5 (16MP) is very well matched but the SZ-15 (1/2.3") and K-5 (APS-C) boast different sensor sizing.

The SZ-15 was launched 2 years after the K-5 which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Olympus SZ-15 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera.
Before delving into a in depth comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the SZ-15 scores against the K-5 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax K-5 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus SZ-15 and Pentax K-5. The complete galleries are provided at Olympus SZ-15 Gallery and Pentax K-5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-15 over the Pentax K-5
SZ-15 | K-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | June 2013 | ![]() | December 2010 | Newer by 31 months |
Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Olympus SZ-15
K-5 | SZ-15 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 460k | Clearer display (+461k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus SZ-15 and Pentax K-5
SZ-15 | K-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very precise focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display measurement |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither features Touch display |
Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax K-5 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is looking to travel with your camera, you need to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-15 enjoys external dimensions of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-5 has measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") and a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs).
Analyze the Olympus SZ-15 versus Pentax K-5 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the SZ-15 compared to the K-5.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-15 and K-5 is 88 and 60 respectively.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax K-5 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it is very tough to picture the difference between sensor dimensions only by looking at technical specs. The image here should provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-15 and K-5.
As you have seen, both the cameras provide the same MP but different sensor dimensions. The SZ-15 offers the tinier sensor which should make obtaining shallow depth of field more difficult. The newer SZ-15 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax K-5 Specifications
Olympus SZ-15 | Pentax K-5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Pentax |
Model type | Olympus SZ-15 | Pentax K-5 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Advanced DSLR |
Announced | 2013-06-21 | 2010-12-18 |
Physical type | Compact | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | - | Prime II |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 23.7 x 15.7mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 372.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 16MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 |
Peak resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4928 x 3264 |
Highest native ISO | 3200 | 12800 |
Highest enhanced ISO | - | 51200 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Total focus points | - | 11 |
Cross type focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | Pentax KAF2 |
Lens zoom range | 23-483mm (21.0x) | - |
Maximum aperture | f/2.8-5.9 | - |
Macro focusing distance | 5cm | - |
Total lenses | - | 151 |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Screen resolution | 460k dots | 921k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Screen technology | LCD | TFT LCD monitor |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.61x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 8s | 30s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/8000s |
Continuous shutter rate | 10.0 frames per sec | 7.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.50 m | 13.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | - | 1/180s |
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) | 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | AVI MPEG4, Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | BuiltIn | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 250 grams (0.55 lb) | 740 grams (1.63 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") | 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | 82 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 23.7 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 14.1 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 1162 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 980 photos |
Battery type | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | SLB-10A | D-LI90 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | One | One |
Launch cost | $200 | $800 |