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Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony A850

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
50
Overall
44
Olympus SZ-15 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front
Portability
54
Imaging
68
Features
60
Overall
64

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony A850 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
  • Released June 2013
Sony A850
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Bump to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Introduced April 2010
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Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony A850 Overview

Following is a extended comparison of the Olympus SZ-15 versus Sony A850, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. There is a huge difference between the image resolutions of the SZ-15 (16MP) and A850 (25MP) and the SZ-15 (1/2.3") and A850 (Full frame) come with totally different sensor size.

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The SZ-15 was announced 3 years after the A850 which is quite a significant 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 Sony A850 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving through a comprehensive comparison, below is a short view of how the SZ-15 grades vs the A850 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-15 over the Sony A850

 SZ-15 A850 
IntroducedJune 2013April 2010More modern by 39 months

Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Olympus SZ-15

 A850 SZ-15 
Display resolution922k460kClearer display (+462k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SZ-15 and Sony A850

 SZ-15 A850 
Manual focus More exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch display Neither has Touch display

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony A850 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry around your camera, you need to think about its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-15 has 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) whilst the Sony A850 has specifications of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") having a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Examine the Olympus SZ-15 versus Sony A850 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you use during that time. Below is the front view scale comparison of the SZ-15 versus the A850.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony A850 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-15 and A850 is 88 and 54 respectively.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony A850 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony A850 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very hard to envision the gap between sensor sizes only by checking specifications. The image underneath may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-15 and A850.

To sum up, the 2 cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The SZ-15 having a tinier sensor will make shooting bokeh more challenging and the Sony A850 will give greater detail with its extra 9MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images far more aggressively. The newer SZ-15 will have an edge in sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony A850 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony A850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Portrait photography highlights
Sony A850 Portrait photography highlights
44
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
provides face detect focusing
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
72
focusing manually
megapixel count excellent (25MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
no liveview
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Street photography advice
Sony A850 Street photography advice
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (250 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Sports photography details
Sony A850 Sports photography details
53
excellent zoom range (23-483mm 21.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
provides tracking focus
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
71
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count excellent (25MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
weather sealing
supports phase detect AF
no liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Travel photography info
Sony A850 Travel photography info
68
lighter than competition in class (250 grams)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (23mm)
great reach (483mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
55
weather sealing
megapixel count excellent (25 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A850 as a Landscape photography camera
49
has manual focus
fairly wide (23mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
73
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count excellent (25MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
has double storage slots
no liveview
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Vlogging advice
Sony A850 Vlogging advice
34
fairly wide (23mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (250g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of microphone port
9
no video
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Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony A850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-15 and Sony A850
 Olympus SZ-15Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus SZ-15 Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Released 2013-06-21 2010-04-15
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 25 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 6048 x 4032
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 23-483mm (21.0x) -
Max aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Total lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology LCD TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 98 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.74x
Features
Min shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.50 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/250 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) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format AVI MPEG4, Motion JPEG -
Mic 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 250 gr (0.55 pounds) 895 gr (1.97 pounds)
Dimensions 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 79
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 1415
Other
Battery life - 880 photos
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID SLB-10A NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo
Storage slots One 2
Cost at release $200 $0