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Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax K-5

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
50
Overall
44
Olympus SZ-15 front
 
Pentax K-5 front
Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66

Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax K-5 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-15
(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
Pentax K-5
(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
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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.

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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.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-15 over the Pentax K-5

 SZ-15 K-5 
LaunchedJune 2013December 2010Newer by 31 months

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Olympus SZ-15

 K-5 SZ-15 
Display resolution921k460kClearer display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SZ-15 and Pentax K-5

 SZ-15 K-5 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax K-5 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

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

Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Portrait photography factors
Pentax K-5 Portrait photography factors
44
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
provides face detect focusing
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
73
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SZ-15
Street photography with Pentax K-5
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (250 grams)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-5 as a Sports photography camera
53
excellent zoom range (23-483mm 21.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
78
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
environment proofing
supports phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Travel photography information
Pentax K-5 Travel photography information
68
lighter than average in class (250g)
megapixel count good (16MP)
built-in flash
quite wide (23mm)
very long zoom (483mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
does not posses selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
65
environment proofing
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Landscape photography features
Pentax K-5 Landscape photography features
49
has manual focus
quite wide (23mm)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
does not have Timelapse mode
78
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Vlogging advice
Pentax K-5 Vlogging advice
34
quite wide (23mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average in class (250 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly display
does not have microphone socket
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with mic socket
screen is not selfie friendly
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Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax K-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-15 and Pentax K-5
 Olympus SZ-15Pentax 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