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Olympus SZ-15 vs Samsung GX-20

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
50
Overall
44
Olympus SZ-15 front
 
Samsung GX-20 front
Portability
58
Imaging
54
Features
52
Overall
53

Olympus SZ-15 vs Samsung GX-20 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
  • Revealed June 2013
Samsung GX-20
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Expand to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 142 x 101 x 72mm
  • Released January 2008
  • Superseded the Samsung GX-10
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Olympus SZ-15 vs Samsung GX-20 Overview

Here, we will be matching up the Olympus SZ-15 versus Samsung GX-20, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by companies Olympus and Samsung. The image resolution of the SZ-15 (16MP) and the GX-20 (15MP) is relatively close but the SZ-15 (1/2.3") and GX-20 (APS-C) posses totally different sensor sizing.

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The SZ-15 was unveiled 5 years later than the GX-20 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus SZ-15 being a Compact camera and the Samsung GX-20 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting straight to a thorough comparison, here is a short summation of how the SZ-15 grades vs the GX-20 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-15 over the Samsung GX-20

 SZ-15 GX-20 
ReleasedJune 2013January 2008Fresher by 66 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Samsung GX-20 over the Olympus SZ-15

 GX-20 SZ-15 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-15 and Samsung GX-20

 SZ-15 GX-20 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Olympus SZ-15 vs Samsung GX-20 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry your camera regularly, you will want to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-15 enjoys outside measurements of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) while the Samsung GX-20 has measurements of 142mm x 101mm x 72mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") along with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

See the Olympus SZ-15 versus Samsung GX-20 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are working with at that time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the SZ-15 versus the GX-20.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Samsung GX-20 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-15 and GX-20 is 88 and 58 respectively.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Samsung GX-20 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Samsung GX-20 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to envision the difference in sensor sizing merely by researching specs. The photograph below might give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-15 and GX-20.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The SZ-15 having a smaller sensor will make achieving shallow DOF more challenging and the Olympus SZ-15 will render extra detail having an extra 1MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The fresher SZ-15 will have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Samsung GX-20 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Samsung GX-20 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-15 vs Samsung GX-20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Portrait photography factors
Samsung GX-20 Portrait photography factors
44
focusing manually
good megapixels (16MP)
has face detect autofocus
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
72
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Street photography details
Samsung GX-20 Street photography details
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (250 grams)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
65
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SZ-15
Sports photography with Samsung GX-20
53
excellent zoom range (23-483mm 21.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
has tracking focus
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
environment sealing
supports phase detect autofocus
max frames per second low (3.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 as a Travel photography camera
Samsung GX-20 as a Travel photography camera
68
lighter than average in class (250 grams)
good megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (23mm)
long zoom (483mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
64
environment sealing
megapixel count decent (15 megapixels)
has built in flash
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 as a Landscape photography camera
Samsung GX-20 as a Landscape photography camera
49
focusing manually
relatively wide (23mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
does not have Timelapse mode
71
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (15MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
small screen (2.7 inches)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Vlogging advice
Samsung GX-20 Vlogging advice
34
relatively wide (23mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average in class (250 grams)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have microphone support
9
no video recording
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Olympus SZ-15 vs Samsung GX-20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-15 and Samsung GX-20
 Olympus SZ-15Samsung GX-20
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Samsung
Model Olympus SZ-15 Samsung GX-20
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2013-06-21 2008-01-24
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 15 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4688 x 3120
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Maximum boosted ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 11
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 23-483mm (21.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Amount of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.50 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format AVI MPEG4, Motion JPEG -
Mic 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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 250 gr (0.55 lbs) 800 gr (1.76 lbs)
Physical dimensions 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") 142 x 101 x 72mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 68
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.1
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.2
DXO Low light score not tested 714
Other
Battery model SLB-10A -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC/SDHC card
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $200 $850