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Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax X70

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
50
Overall
44
Olympus SZ-15 front
 
Pentax X70 front
Portability
71
Imaging
34
Features
34
Overall
34

Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax X70 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
  • Launched June 2013
Pentax X70
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 50 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-624mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 410g - 110 x 83 x 90mm
  • Launched March 2009
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Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax X70 Overview

The following is a comprehensive analysis of the Olympus SZ-15 and Pentax X70, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. There exists a substantial gap between the resolutions of the SZ-15 (16MP) and X70 (12MP) but they possess the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ-15 was brought out 4 years after the X70 which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SZ-15 being a Compact camera and the Pentax X70 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before delving through a in-depth comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the SZ-15 scores against the X70 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-15 over the Pentax X70

 SZ-15 X70 
LaunchedJune 2013March 2009Newer by 53 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax X70 over the Olympus SZ-15

 X70 SZ-15 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-15 and Pentax X70

 SZ-15 X70 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax X70 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera often, you will need to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-15 comes with physical dimensions of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") having a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) while the Pentax X70 has proportions of 110mm x 83mm x 90mm (4.3" x 3.3" x 3.5") and a weight of 410 grams (0.90 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus SZ-15 and Pentax X70 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you select during that time. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the SZ-15 against the X70.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax X70 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-15 and X70 is 88 and 71 respectively.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax X70 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax X70 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is hard to imagine the gap between sensor dimensions just by reading through specs. The pic here may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-15 and X70.

All in all, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You can count on the Olympus SZ-15 to give you greater detail having its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures far more aggressively. The fresher SZ-15 provides an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax X70 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax X70 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax X70 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax X70 as a Portrait photography camera
44
has manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
includes face detection focus
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
28
focusing manually
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 as a Street photography camera
Pentax X70 as a Street photography camera
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (250g)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
46
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SZ-15
Sports photography with Pentax X70
53
incredible zoom range (23-483mm 21.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
includes tracking autofocus
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
50
amazing zoom range (26-624mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports tracking focus
comes with phase detect autofocus
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Travel photography features
Pentax X70 Travel photography features
68
lighter than competition (250g)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
quite wide (23mm)
long reach (483mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
does not offer selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f2.8)
52
has built in flash
rather wide (26mm)
great reach (624mm)
missing Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Landscape photography features
Pentax X70 Landscape photography features
49
has manual focus
quite wide (23mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse function
35
focusing manually
rather wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Vlogging highlights
Pentax X70 Vlogging highlights
34
quite wide (23mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (250 grams)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not offer selfie friendly display
doesn't have external mic support
24
rather wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic jack
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Olympus SZ-15 vs Pentax X70 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-15 and Pentax X70
 Olympus SZ-15Pentax X70
General Information
Make Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus SZ-15 Pentax X70
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2013-06-21 2009-03-02
Body design Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 50
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 23-483mm (21.0x) 26-624mm (24.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focusing distance 5cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 9.10 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync -
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format AVI MPEG4, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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 None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 250 gr (0.55 lb) 410 gr (0.90 lb)
Dimensions 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") 110 x 83 x 90mm (4.3" x 3.3" x 3.5")
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 D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $200 $200