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Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony NEX-F3

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
50
Overall
44
Olympus SZ-15 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-F3 front
Portability
86
Imaging
57
Features
60
Overall
58

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony NEX-F3 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
  • Announced June 2013
Sony NEX-F3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 314g - 117 x 67 x 42mm
  • Announced August 2012
  • Replaced the Sony NEX-C3
  • Later Model is Sony NEX-3N
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Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony NEX-F3 Overview

In this write-up, we are analyzing the Olympus SZ-15 versus Sony NEX-F3, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SZ-15 (16MP) and the NEX-F3 (16MP) is very well matched but the SZ-15 (1/2.3") and NEX-F3 (APS-C) use different sensor size.

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The SZ-15 was manufactured 11 months after the NEX-F3 so they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SZ-15 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-F3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go through a more detailed comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the SZ-15 scores versus the NEX-F3 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-15 over the Sony NEX-F3

 SZ-15 NEX-F3 
AnnouncedJune 2013August 2012Newer by 11 months

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-F3 over the Olympus SZ-15

 NEX-F3 SZ-15 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution920k460kCrisper display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SZ-15 and Sony NEX-F3

 SZ-15 NEX-F3 
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony NEX-F3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to travel with your camera, you should factor in its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-15 offers exterior measurements of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") along with a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) and the Sony NEX-F3 has specifications of 117mm x 67mm x 42mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 1.7") with a weight of 314 grams (0.69 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus SZ-15 versus Sony NEX-F3 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the SZ-15 compared to the NEX-F3.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony NEX-F3 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-15 and NEX-F3 is 88 and 86 respectively.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony NEX-F3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony NEX-F3 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be hard to picture the difference between sensor dimensions only by looking at a spec sheet. The pic below will help give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-15 and NEX-F3.

As you can see, each of the cameras offer the same exact megapixels but different sensor dimensions. The SZ-15 comes with the tinier sensor which should make achieving bokeh more difficult. The more recent SZ-15 provides an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony NEX-F3 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony NEX-F3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony NEX-F3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-15
Portrait photography with Sony NEX-F3
44
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
provides face detect focusing
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
74
has manual focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SZ-15
Street photography with Sony NEX-F3
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (250g)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
76
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Sports photography factors
Sony NEX-F3 Sports photography factors
53
incredible zoom range (23-483mm 21.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
53
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
great battery power (470 per charge)
max frames per second very slow (6.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
no phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SZ-15
Travel photography with Sony NEX-F3
68
lighter than competition in class (250g)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (23mm)
long reach (483mm)
no Timelapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
69
great battery power (470 per charge)
MP count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse mode
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Landscape photography factors
Sony NEX-F3 Landscape photography factors
49
has manual focus
reasonably wide (23mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
no Timelapse recording
70
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3")
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
great battery power (470 CIPA)
no image stabilization
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 as a Vlogging camera
Sony NEX-F3 as a Vlogging camera
34
reasonably wide (23mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (250g)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
no microphone jack
27
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
missing mic port
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Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony NEX-F3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-15 and Sony NEX-F3
 Olympus SZ-15Sony Alpha NEX-F3
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus SZ-15 Sony Alpha NEX-F3
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2013-06-21 2012-08-16
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
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 16 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 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 3200 16000
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 25
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 23-483mm (21.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Total lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology LCD TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.50 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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) 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format AVI MPEG4, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
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 pounds) 314 gr (0.69 pounds)
Dimensions 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") 117 x 67 x 42mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 73
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 1114
Other
Battery life - 470 photos
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID SLB-10A NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $200 $470