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Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony W230

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
50
Overall
44
Olympus SZ-15 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
25
Overall
30

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony W230 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 W230
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 30-120mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
  • 156g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Revealed February 2009
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Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony W230 Overview

Following is a in-depth assessment of the Olympus SZ-15 versus Sony W230, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Sony. There is a considerable difference between the sensor resolutions of the SZ-15 (16MP) and W230 (12MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ-15 was brought out 4 years after the W230 which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving straight to a complete comparison, here is a quick summation of how the SZ-15 grades vs the W230 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-15 over the Sony W230

 SZ-15 W230 
RevealedJune 2013February 2009More modern by 53 months
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Olympus SZ-15

 W230 SZ-15 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-15 and Sony W230

 SZ-15 W230 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry around your camera frequently, you will want to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus SZ-15 offers outer dimensions 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 W230 has sizing of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).

Compare the Olympus SZ-15 versus Sony W230 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are using at that time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the SZ-15 compared to the W230.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony W230 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-15 and W230 is 88 and 95 respectively.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony W230 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison

Often, its tough to see the contrast between sensor sizes just by reviewing specifications. The pic underneath will give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-15 and W230.

Plainly, both of the cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Olympus SZ-15 to offer more detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop photos way more aggressively. The newer SZ-15 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony W230 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Portrait photography details
Sony W230 Portrait photography details
44
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
features face detect focusing
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
27
manual focus
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Street photography features
Sony W230 Street photography features
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (250g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Sports photography details
Sony W230 Sports photography details
53
incredible zoom range (23-483mm 21.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
25
image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 as a Travel photography camera
Sony W230 as a Travel photography camera
68
lighter than competition (250 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (23mm)
long zoom (483mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
51
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse recording
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W230 as a Landscape photography camera
49
manual focus
reasonably wide (23mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse function
36
manual focus
screen size is decent (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual mode not possible
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Vlogging information
Sony W230 Vlogging information
34
reasonably wide (23mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (250g)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
does not have mic port
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have microphone jack
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Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony W230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-15 and Sony W230
 Olympus SZ-15Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus SZ-15 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2013-06-21 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 23-483mm (21.0x) 30-120mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/2.8-5.8
Macro focusing range 5cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 secs 1 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, 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) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video format AVI MPEG4, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 250 grams (0.55 lbs) 156 grams (0.34 lbs)
Physical dimensions 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery ID SLB-10A -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $200 $180