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


69 Imaging
52 Features
47 Overall
50
Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax K-x 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
- Launched June 2013
(Full Review)
- 12MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400 (Increase to 12800)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/6000s Max Shutter
- 1280 x 720 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
- Released December 2009

Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax K-x Overview
In this write-up, we are evaluating the Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax K-x, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Olympus and Pentax. There is a big difference between the resolutions of the SZ-15 (16MP) and K-x (12MP) and the SZ-15 (1/2.3") and K-x (APS-C) come with different sensor sizing.

The SZ-15 was announced 3 years later than the K-x and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SZ-15 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-x being a Compact SLR camera.
Before getting straight into a thorough comparison, below is a brief view of how the SZ-15 scores vs the K-x with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax K-x Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus SZ-15 and Pentax K-x. The whole galleries are provided at Olympus SZ-15 Gallery and Pentax K-x Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-15 over the Pentax K-x
SZ-15 | K-x | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | June 2013 | ![]() | December 2009 | More recent by 43 months |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper display (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Pentax K-x over the Olympus SZ-15
K-x | SZ-15 |
---|
Common features in the Olympus SZ-15 and Pentax K-x
SZ-15 | K-x | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More exact focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither includes Touch friendly display |
Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax K-x Physical Comparison
For anybody who is going to lug around your camera frequently, you are going to need to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-15 features external dimensions of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") along with a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) while the Pentax K-x has measurements of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") with a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs).
Analyze the Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax K-x in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are utilising during that time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the SZ-15 against the K-x.

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-15 and K-x is 88 and 69 respectively.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax K-x Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it is very hard to picture the contrast between sensor measurements just by checking specs. The graphic below should provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-15 and K-x.
All in all, both of those cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The SZ-15 having a tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field tougher and the Olympus SZ-15 will resolve greater detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop pics a little more aggressively. The newer SZ-15 provides an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

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


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax K-x Specifications
Olympus SZ-15 | Pentax K-x | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Olympus | Pentax |
Model | Olympus SZ-15 | Pentax K-x |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Entry-Level DSLR |
Launched | 2013-06-21 | 2009-12-23 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | - | Prime |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 23.6 x 15.8mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 372.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 12MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 |
Full resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4288 x 2848 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
Max boosted ISO | - | 12800 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | - | 11 |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | Pentax KAF2 |
Lens focal range | 23-483mm (21.0x) | - |
Maximum aperture | f/2.8-5.9 | - |
Macro focus range | 5cm | - |
Available lenses | - | 151 |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3" | 2.7" |
Resolution of screen | 460k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Screen tech | LCD | TFT LCD monitor |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 96 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.57x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 8s | 30s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/6000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 10.0 frames/s | 5.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 3.50 m | 16.00 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear curtain, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | - | 1/180s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
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) | 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | AVI MPEG4, Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 250 grams (0.55 pounds) | 580 grams (1.28 pounds) |
Dimensions | 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") | 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | not tested | 72 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 22.8 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 12.5 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 811 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 1900 images |
Type of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | SLB-10A | 4 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC card |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Launch price | $200 | $600 |