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Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony HX7V

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
50
Overall
44
Olympus SZ-15 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony HX7V Key Specs

Olympus SZ-15
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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
Sony HX7V
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 208g - 102 x 58 x 29mm
  • Introduced July 2011
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Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony HX7V Overview

In this write-up, we are analyzing the Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony HX7V, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the SZ-15 (16MP) and the HX7V (16MP) is fairly similar and they possess the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ-15 was unveiled 24 months after the HX7V making the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a complete comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the SZ-15 grades against the HX7V with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-15 over the Sony HX7V

 SZ-15 HX7V 
IntroducedJune 2013July 2011More modern by 24 months
Manual focus Very accurate focus

Reasons to pick Sony HX7V over the Olympus SZ-15

 HX7V SZ-15 
Display resolution921k460kCrisper display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SZ-15 and Sony HX7V

 SZ-15 HX7V 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony HX7V Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to factor its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-15 has exterior dimensions 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 Sony HX7V has specifications of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).

Check out the Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony HX7V in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you select during that time. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the SZ-15 against the HX7V.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony HX7V size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-15 and HX7V is 88 and 92 respectively.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony HX7V top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony HX7V Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be difficult to imagine the gap between sensor sizes merely by reviewing a spec sheet. The image below will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-15 and HX7V.

As you can see, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the identical megapixels therefore you can expect similar quality of photos although you will need to consider the age of the products into consideration. The fresher SZ-15 should have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony HX7V sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony HX7V Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony HX7V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-15
Portrait photography with Sony HX7V
44
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
includes face detection focus
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
30
megapixel count good (16MP)
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 as a Street photography camera
Sony HX7V as a Street photography camera
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (250g)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SZ-15
Sports photography with Sony HX7V
53
long zoom range (23-483mm 21.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
39
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Travel photography info
Sony HX7V Travel photography info
68
lighter than others (250g)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (23mm)
long reach (483mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
67
megapixel count good (16MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
very long zoom (250mm)
missing Timelapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Landscape photography advice
Sony HX7V Landscape photography advice
49
manual focus
pretty wide (23mm)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
missing Time Lapse recording
42
decently wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual exposure
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Vlogging factors
Sony HX7V Vlogging factors
34
pretty wide (23mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others (250g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing external mic support
32
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing microphone port
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Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony HX7V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-15 and Sony HX7V
 Olympus SZ-15Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model Olympus SZ-15 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2013-06-21 2011-07-19
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - BIONZ
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 125
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 23-483mm (21.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech LCD XtraFine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.50 m 4.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format AVI MPEG4, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone 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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 250g (0.55 lbs) 208g (0.46 lbs)
Dimensions 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") 102 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery model SLB-10A NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Retail pricing $200 $499