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Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax K100D

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
50
Overall
44
Olympus SZ-15 front
 
Pentax K100D front
Portability
64
Imaging
45
Features
36
Overall
41

Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax K100D 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 K100D
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 660g - 129 x 93 x 70mm
  • Introduced December 2006
  • Updated by Pentax K100D S
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Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax K100D Overview

On this page, we are evaluating the Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax K100D, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Olympus and Pentax. There exists a sizable gap between the resolutions of the SZ-15 (16MP) and K100D (6MP) and the SZ-15 (1/2.3") and K100D (APS-C) offer different sensor size.

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The SZ-15 was manufactured 6 years after the K100D which is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus SZ-15 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K100D being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving into a in-depth comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the SZ-15 matches up against the K100D in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-15 over the Pentax K100D

 SZ-15 K100D 
IntroducedJune 2013December 2006Newer by 80 months
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k210kClearer display (+250k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K100D over the Olympus SZ-15

 K100D SZ-15 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-15 and Pentax K100D

 SZ-15 K100D 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax K100D Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to travel with your camera often, you'll have to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-15 comes with physical dimensions of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") and a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) whilst the Pentax K100D has measurements of 129mm x 93mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 660 grams (1.46 lbs).

See the Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax K100D in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising at that time. Here is a front view scale comparison of the SZ-15 against the K100D.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax K100D size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-15 and K100D is 88 and 64 respectively.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax K100D top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax K100D Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's tough to visualize the difference between sensor dimensions only by looking at a spec sheet. The picture here should give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-15 and K100D.

Clearly, each of these cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The SZ-15 because of its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF tougher and the Olympus SZ-15 will resolve more detail due to its extra 10MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos more aggressively. The more modern SZ-15 should have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax K100D sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax K100D Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax K100D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K100D as a Portrait photography camera
44
manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
has face detect focus
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
51
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
does not have liveview
low resolution (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Street photography factors
Pentax K100D Street photography factors
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (250 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
58
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen is fixed
more heavy than competition in class (660 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SZ-15
Sports photography with Pentax K100D
53
incredible zoom range (23-483mm 21.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
has tracking focus
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
47
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
does not have liveview
low fps (3.0 fps)
low resolution (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SZ-15
Travel photography with Pentax K100D
68
lighter than others in class (250g)
resolution is good (16MP)
has built in flash
quite wide (23mm)
very long zoom (483mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f2.8)
42
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse function
more heavy than competition in class (660g)
low resolution (6 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Landscape photography advice
Pentax K100D Landscape photography advice
49
manual focus
quite wide (23mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
52
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
does not have liveview
low resolution (6MP)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Vlogging information
Pentax K100D Vlogging information
34
quite wide (23mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others in class (250 grams)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
does not have mic support
9
no video shooting
Photography Glossary

Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax K100D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-15 and Pentax K100D
 Olympus SZ-15Pentax K100D
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus SZ-15 Pentax K100D
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2013-06-21 2006-12-03
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 6MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 3008 x 2008
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF
Lens zoom range 23-483mm (21.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Available lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 2.5"
Resolution of display 460k dot 210k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 10.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.50 m -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format AVI MPEG4, Motion JPEG -
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 250g (0.55 lb) 660g (1.46 lb)
Physical dimensions 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") 129 x 93 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery ID SLB-10A 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC card
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release $200 $0