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Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony A9

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
50
Overall
44
Olympus SZ-15 front
 
Sony Alpha A9 front
Portability
65
Imaging
73
Features
93
Overall
81

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony A9 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
  • Introduced June 2013
Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
  • Launched April 2017
  • Newer Model is Sony A9 II
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Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony A9 Overview

Below, we will be looking at the Olympus SZ-15 and Sony A9, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by competitors Olympus and Sony. There exists a large gap between the image resolutions of the SZ-15 (16MP) and A9 (24MP) and the SZ-15 (1/2.3") and A9 (Full frame) use different sensor dimensions.

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The SZ-15 was unveiled 4 years prior to the A9 and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SZ-15 being a Compact camera and the Sony A9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting straight into a thorough comparison, below is a short view of how the SZ-15 scores versus the A9 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-15 over the Sony A9

 SZ-15 A9 

Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Olympus SZ-15

 A9 SZ-15 
LaunchedApril 2017June 2013Fresher by 46 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1440k460kClearer screen (+980k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus SZ-15 and Sony A9

 SZ-15 A9 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen sizing
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony A9 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry your camera often, you need to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus SZ-15 features physical measurements 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 Sony A9 has sizing of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") along with a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs).

Check the Olympus SZ-15 and Sony A9 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you choose at that time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the SZ-15 versus the A9.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony A9 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ-15 and A9 is 88 and 65 respectively.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony A9 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony A9 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its tough to visualize the difference between sensor sizing just by going over specifications. The graphic underneath might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-15 and A9.

Plainly, both of those cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The SZ-15 using its tinier sensor is going to make achieving bokeh more difficult and the Sony A9 will deliver more detail having an extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The older SZ-15 is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony A9 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony A9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-15
Portrait photography with Sony A9
44
has manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
provides face detection autofocus
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
83
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
provides face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SZ-15
Street photography with Sony A9
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (250 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
79
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
comes with focus by touch
weather sealing
very good ISO range (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Sports photography information
Sony A9 Sports photography information
53
excellent zoom range (23-483mm 21.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
provides tracking autofocus
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
86
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
silent mode (1/32,000s)
high max fps (20.0 fps)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
provides tracking focus
weather sealing
great battery (650 shots)
comes with phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Travel photography info
Sony A9 Travel photography info
68
lighter than average in class (250 grams)
good MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (23mm)
very long zoom (483mm)
no Time Lapse recording
does not offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
73
great battery (650 per charge)
weather sealing
supports bluetooth
comes with focus by touch
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-15
Landscape photography with Sony A9
49
has manual focus
relatively wide (23mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
no Time Lapse recording
85
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
very good ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
great battery (650 per charge)
has double storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A9 as a Vlogging camera
34
relatively wide (23mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (250g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not offer selfie friendly display
no external mic socket
36
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does have mic port
screen is not selfie friendly
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Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony A9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-15 and Sony A9
 Olympus SZ-15Sony Alpha A9
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus SZ-15 Sony Alpha A9
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Pro Mirrorless
Introduced 2013-06-21 2017-04-19
Body design Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - BIONZ X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 3200 51200
Maximum boosted ISO - 204800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Min boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 693
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 23-483mm (21.0x) -
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Total lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.8 1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460k dot 1,440k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,686k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Maximum silent shutter speed - 1/32000s
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames per second 20.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.50 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
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) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format AVI MPEG4, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
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 250 grams (0.55 lbs) 673 grams (1.48 lbs)
Dimensions 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 92
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 24.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 3517
Other
Battery life - 650 photographs
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID SLB-10A NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Storage slots 1 Two
Launch pricing $200 $4,498