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Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax K-5 II

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
50
Overall
44
Olympus SZ-15 front
 
Pentax K-5 II front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
82
Overall
67

Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax K-5 II Key Specs

Olympus SZ-15
(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
Pentax K-5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Announced June 2013
  • Succeeded the Pentax K-5
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Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax K-5 II Overview

Lets look more closely at the Olympus SZ-15 versus Pentax K-5 II, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by companies Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the SZ-15 (16MP) and the K-5 II (16MP) is relatively similar but the SZ-15 (1/2.3") and K-5 II (APS-C) provide different sensor size.

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The SZ-15 was revealed very close to the K-5 II and they are of a similar generation. Both cameras feature different body design with the Olympus SZ-15 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-5 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going into a detailed comparison, here is a concise summation of how the SZ-15 scores vs the K-5 II when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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

 SZ-15 K-5 II 

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

 K-5 II SZ-15 
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)

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

 SZ-15 K-5 II 
AnnouncedJune 2013June 2013Similar generation
Manually focus More precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax K-5 II Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you'll have to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus SZ-15 comes with outer dimensions of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") with a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) while the Pentax K-5 II has sizing of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") having a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus SZ-15 versus Pentax K-5 II in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you choose at the time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the SZ-15 versus the K-5 II.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax K-5 II size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-15 and K-5 II is 88 and 60 respectively.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax K-5 II top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax K-5 II Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is tough to picture the difference between sensor sizes merely by reviewing specs. The picture here should give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-15 and K-5 II.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras come with the identical megapixel count albeit different sensor sizes. The SZ-15 offers the tinier sensor which should make getting shallow DOF more difficult.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax K-5 II sensor size comparison

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Portrait photography factors
Pentax K-5 II Portrait photography factors
44
focusing manually
decent megapixels (16MP)
provides face detection focusing
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
74
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Street photography advice
Pentax K-5 II Street photography advice
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (250 grams)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Sports photography features
Pentax K-5 II Sports photography features
53
excellent zoom range (23-483mm 21.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
79
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
weather proof
has phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SZ-15
Travel photography with Pentax K-5 II
68
lighter than others (250 grams)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (23mm)
great reach (483mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
65
weather proof
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-5 II as a Landscape photography camera
49
focusing manually
pretty wide (23mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
does not have Time Lapse mode
79
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Vlogging information
Pentax K-5 II Vlogging information
34
pretty wide (23mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others (250 grams)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have external mic socket
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has external microphone jack
display isn't selfie friendly
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Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax K-5 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-15 and Pentax K-5 II
 Olympus SZ-15Pentax K-5 II
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus SZ-15 Pentax K-5 II
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2013-06-21 2013-06-04
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Prime II
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 3200 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 51200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Minimum enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 23-483mm (21.0x) -
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Amount of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech LCD TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 10.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.50 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
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 480 (25, 30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format AVI MPEG4, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 250 grams (0.55 pounds) 760 grams (1.68 pounds)
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 score not tested 82
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.1
DXO Low light score not tested 1235
Other
Battery life - 980 pictures
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model SLB-10A D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release $200 $830