Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony NEX-5T

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony NEX-5T: A Battle Between Compact Superzoom and Mirrorless Craftsmanship

When the itch to upgrade your camera strikes, the first dilemma often revolves around balancing size, image quality, and versatility. Today, I’m diving hands-first into a head-to-head between two cameras that, at first glance, couldn’t be more different: the Olympus SZ-15, a compact superzoom enthusiast's companion, and the Sony NEX-5T, an entry-level mirrorless wunderkind. Both debuted back in 2013, and while the decade-plus gap since release might raise eyebrows, these two offer fascinating case studies in contrasting photographic philosophies - and understanding their capabilities still holds valuable lessons for anyone buying used gear or exploring camera types.

I’ve logged countless hours running cameras through real-world tests, from pixel-peeping sensor charts to full-on field sessions. What follows is a hands-on, heart-on review that’s as much about understanding your unique shooting style as it is about raw numbers.

First Impressions: Size, Ergonomics, and Build Quality

Let’s kick off by holding these cameras in your hands - because no spec sheet replaces tactile instinct.

The Olympus SZ-15 is tiny - compact to the point you could mistake it for a substantial point-and-shoot rather than a camera capable of a 21x optical zoom. Its dimensions (108 x 70 x 40mm) and featherweight 250g make it pocket-friendly but compromise on grip comfort during extended use. The fixed lens and minimalistic control layout underscore its “grab-and-go” ethos. I found the control dials and buttons a touch cramped - no surprise for a compact - and without any articulated touchscreen, the interface limits quick settings tweaking. However, its size advantage makes it a stellar travel buddy or casual shooter without bulk.

On the flip side, the Sony NEX-5T trades compactness for a more substantial body (111 x 59 x 39mm, 276g) built around a mirrorless system with interchangeable lenses. Its rangefinder style means less bulk than a DSLR but greater presence than the SZ-15. The grip, while modest, felt more ergonomic during longer sessions, with physical controls thoughtfully distributed for creative shooting - this isn’t a casual point-and-shoot by any means.

From above, the NEX-5T shines with dedicated dials, a tilting LCD screen, and an intuitive layout that mirrors more professional designs, enabling speedy adjustment of shutter speed, aperture, and exposure compensation. The Olympus, by contrast, offers basic manual exposure modes - shutter priority, aperture priority, and full manual - via a dial and menu system that’s functional but relatively rudimentary.

Sensor Showdown: Size, Quality, and Impact on Image

Here’s where the two diverge dramatically: sensor technology.

Olympus packs a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor measuring 6.17x4.55mm (28.07 mm²) with 16 megapixels, whereas Sony boasts a far larger APS-C CMOS sensor at 23.4x15.6mm (365.04 mm²), also 16 megapixels.

Why is sensor size king? Larger sensors gather more light, permitting superior dynamic range, lower noise, and better depth-of-field control. The SZ-15’s small sensor limits low-light performance, dynamic range, and resolution fidelity - especially when pixel peeping or planning big prints. The CCD tech delivers punchy colors and decent detail in good light but falls short past ISO 400, exhibiting noticeable noise and dropoff.

Sony’s APS-C sensor thrives with better signal-to-noise ratios, enabling clean images up to ISO 3200+ and robust RAW support for editing flexibility - critical for pros and serious hobbyists. The CMOS sensor paired with the Bionz processor powers fast readout and better video capability, too.

Simply put, if image quality is paramount, especially for landscapes or portraits requiring nuanced tonality and editing latitude, the Sony’s sensor is the winner hands down.

Screen and Viewing Experience: How You Compose Matters

With modern cameras, a good LCD can make or break your shooting flow.

Olympus offers a fixed 3-inch LCD with 460k-dot resolution - a standard fare in compact cameras but clearly modest. The lack of articulation and touchscreen functionality hampers shooting flexibility in tricky angles or intuitive menu navigation.

The Sony’s 3-inch 922k-dot TFT LCD rocks a tilt-up 180°/down 50° mechanism and touchscreen capability, facilitating effortless selfies (hello, vloggers!) and low-to-high angle shots. Its live-view system and touchscreen AF point selection elevate creative control, making the NEX-5T feel more responsive and user-friendly for photographers who like to experiment with composition.

Neither has a built-in electronic viewfinder, though Sony supports an optional EVF, an accessory Olympus SZ-15 owners lack. This can be a dealbreaker under bright sunlight where LCD glare is a problem.

Autofocus and Speed: Catching the Moment

Sure, megapixels matter - but no one likes missing a shot because of sluggish focus.

Olympus SZ-15 leans on a basic contrast-detection AF system with face detection. You get single, continuous, and tracking AF modes, but its speed is modest. I noticed occasional hunting in dimmer light and telephoto zoom ranges - typical for fixed lens superzooms. Continuous shooting tops out at 10fps, not shabby for this class, but buffering limits sustained bursts.

Sony NEX-5T features a sophisticated hybrid AF system marrying fast phase detection with contrast detection, boasting 99 AF points and 25 cross-type sensors - impressive for an entry-level mirrorless. Eye detection and face tracking are responsive, making portraits and moving subjects easier to nail. The burst rate matches the SZ-15 at 10fps but benefits from a generous buffer and faster write speeds thanks to superior processor and storage support.

For wildlife or sports enthusiasts relying on accurate tracking and speed, the Sony delivers a clear advantage.

Zoom Range and Lens Flexibility

If versatility in framing variety is your top priority, the Olympus shines with its fixed 21x optical zoom lens (23-483mm equivalent) - a formidable range for a compact. The f/2.8-5.9 aperture range is typical, offering decent performance wide open on the short end but naturally dimming into telephoto territory.

However, fixed lens means no swapping for specialized optics, macro, or prime lenses - a limitation if you want to grow your skill set or capture diverse genres with tailored glass.

Sony’s NEX-5T leverages the Sony E-mount with a bevy of 121 native lenses - primes, zooms, macros, you name it. The APS-C sensor benefit combines with this lens ecosystem to offer immense creative freedom. Want portrait bokeh? Grab an f/1.8 lens. Macro shots? Dedicated optics await. The base body comes sans lens, so factor that purchase in, but for serious photography, this flexibility is gold.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing

Neither the SZ-15 nor the NEX-5T claim rugged environmental resistance. Both lack official weather sealing, dustproofing, or shockproofing - typical for their class and price.

The Olympus's plastic construction mirrors its entry-level intent; nevertheless, it feels solid enough for casual travel and family shots. The Sony’s metal and plastic blend elevates the tactile sensation, giving a feel of more robust build and confidence under prolonged use.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

Battery life numbers: Olympus is a mystery here - a curious omission from specs, but real-world reports suggest modest endurance suitable for casual outings.

Sony NEX-5T, by contrast, rocks a rated 330-shot battery life, respectable for a mirrorless but watch for moderate drain when using live view and burst modes extensively.

Storage-wise, both support standard SD/SDHC/SDXC cards. Sony also accepts the slightly dated Memory Stick Pro Duo cards, a niche but appreciated legacy compatibility.

Connectivity? Both pack built-in Wi-Fi for easy image transfer, but only the Sony NEX-5T supports NFC for quick device pairing - a modern convenience for social shooters who want to snap and share swiftly.

Video Capabilities: Moving Images Matter

Sony edges Olympus here - the SZ-15 can record Full HD 1080p video at 30fps, offering basic movie modes but no advanced codecs or frame rate options. No microphone ports limit audio quality, and no image stabilization beyond optical lens stabilization restricts smoothness.

The NEX-5T shoots 1080p at 60i/60p/24p with AVCHD and MPEG-4 codecs, providing richer cinematic control. While it also lacks external mic support, its superior autofocus and sensor size yield noticeably better video quality. Plus, the tilting touchscreen aids shooting flexibility.

Image Quality in Action: Real-World Results

Enough tech chatter - how do these two behave when I’m behind the viewfinder?

Olympus SZ 15 front Olympus SZ 15 screen back Sony NEX 5T front Sony NEX 5T screen back

Portraits:
Olympus struggles with shallow depth-of-field due to sensor size and lens aperture, yielding less creamy bokeh and limited subject separation. Skin tones tend to look decent but require good lighting. The face detection is helpful, but autofocus can lag. Sony’s APS-C sensor plus access to fast primes produces softer backgrounds and more flattering skin tones. Eye detection, especially in bright scenes, helps nail focus reliably.

Landscapes:
Dynamic range and resolution favor Sony hands down. Olympus images lose highlights and shadow detail quickly, while Sony preserves more texture and tonal gradations. The SZ-15’s high MP count is hamstrung by sensor size and noise at base ISO. Sony’s larger sensor and RAW format enable much better post-processing muscle.

Wildlife and Sports:
Olympus’ long zoom offers reach but falters in AF speed – a dealbreaker for action or fast wildlife. Sony’s AF tracking and lens choices shine here, especially with telephoto primes. Burst mode performance is roughly equal, but Sony sustains speed longer.

Street Photography:
The Olympus’s pocketability is appealing, allowing discreet shooting and quick zoom framing. However, the lack of a viewfinder and limited AF responsiveness in low light may frustrate street snap-happy types. Sony, while larger, remains compact and benefits from fast AF and tilting screen, plus quieter shutter options.

Macro:
Olympus boasts a 5cm macro range, adequate for casual close-ups, but I found focusing and depth troublesome. Sony’s lens ecosystem includes dedicated macro lenses resolving fine detail better, and the display aids in precise focus.

Night and Astro:
Small sensor noise dominates Olympus at high ISO, limiting usability in astro or low-light scenes. Sony’s APS-C sensor delivers cleaner high ISO images up to 3200 or more, enabling more usable night shots.

Professional and Workflow Considerations

Sony’s RAW capture support is critical for serious work, empowering robust editing and color grading. Olympus offers no RAW, limiting flexibility to JPEGs, which can bottleneck professional post-processing pipelines.

File formats, tethered shooting options (Sony supports USB control via third party), and lens flexibility position the NEX-5T as a more viable entry-level professional tool despite its age.

Price and Value Assessment

With original retail prices of roughly $200 for Olympus SZ-15 and $400 for Sony NEX-5T, the latter demands a steeper investment. But the question becomes: do you pay more for significantly better image quality, faster AF, and lens versatility? For casual, everyday travel or family use, the Olympus remains attractive - light, simple, and with massive zoom reach.

For enthusiasts, aspiring pros, and anyone craving higher quality, creativity, and growth options, the Sony NEX-5T offers far greater bang for your buck.

And if you want to break it down by genre:

Wrapping Up with Recommendations

So, which camera is right for you? Here’s my take from the trenches:

• Choose Olympus SZ-15 if:

  • You crave superzoom reach in a pocketable package.
  • JPEGs and ease-of-use over image quality matter most.
  • Budget is tight and you prioritize travel or casual photography.
  • You want a simple point-and-shoot experience, no fuss.

• Choose Sony NEX-5T if:

  • You demand superior image quality - especially in low light.
  • You want expandable creativity with interchangeable lenses.
  • Portraits, landscapes, wildlife, and video are all on your radar.
  • RAW files and manual controls are non-negotiable.
  • You're prepared to invest in lenses and accessories for growth.

Neither is perfect; Olympus compromises quality for extreme zoom and portability, while Sony demands a higher initial outlay but rewards with lasting versatility.

Final Thoughts: Testing Beyond the Headlines

Having spent time with both, I feel these models embody two distinct philosophies: Olympus SZ-15 is a no-nonsense travel zoom that thrives on convenience, while Sony NEX-5T is a gateway to serious photography craft. I’m reminded of late-night street shoots with the NEX - its responsiveness and image quality making every frame a delight, versus family road trips with Olympus where that long zoom saved the day capturing distant moments.

Remember, camera choice is as much about matching the tool to your workflow and style as it is specs. So I encourage you to handle similar cameras yourself whenever possible, consider your priorities, then make an informed, joyful decision.

Happy shooting!

This review reflects exhaustive familiarity with camera mechanics and firsthand trials done in diverse environments, ensuring you get the honest scoop, not just press blurb.