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Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony W550

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
50
Overall
44
Olympus SZ-15 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
28
Overall
33

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony W550 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
  • Launched June 2013
Sony W550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-104mm (F2.7-5.7) lens
  • 110g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
  • Revealed July 2011
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Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony W550 Overview

Here is a in-depth analysis of the Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony W550, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Ultracompact by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SZ-15 (16MP) and the W550 (14MP) is relatively close and they feature the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SZ-15 was released 24 months later than the W550 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SZ-15 being a Compact camera and the Sony W550 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before diving in to a complete comparison, below is a short view of how the SZ-15 matches up against the W550 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-15 over the Sony W550

 SZ-15 W550 
RevealedJune 2013July 2011Fresher by 24 months
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W550 over the Olympus SZ-15

 W550 SZ-15 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-15 and Sony W550

 SZ-15 W550 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony W550 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry your camera frequently, you should factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-15 features physical measurements of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") and a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) while the Sony W550 has measurements of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") and a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).

Examine the Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony W550 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you choose during that time. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the SZ-15 vs the W550.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony W550 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-15 and W550 is 88 and 96 respectively.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony W550 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony W550 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing only by looking through specifications. The visual here might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-15 and W550.

Plainly, each of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Olympus SZ-15 to render extra detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots much more aggressively. The more modern SZ-15 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony W550 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony W550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Portrait photography highlights
Sony W550 Portrait photography highlights
44
has manual focus
decent megapixels (16MP)
has face detect focus
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
28
good MP (14MP)
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Street photography factors
Sony W550 Street photography factors
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (250 grams)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Sports photography information
Sony W550 Sports photography information
53
great zoom range (23-483mm 21.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
has tracking focus
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14 megapixels)
low fps (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 as a Travel photography camera
Sony W550 as a Travel photography camera
68
lighter than competition in class (250g)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (23mm)
long reach (483mm)
missing Time Lapse function
does not offer selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
65
good MP (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (26mm)
no Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-15
Landscape photography with Sony W550
49
has manual focus
rather wide (23mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
missing Time Lapse function
42
decently wide (26mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
manual mode not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
no Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Vlogging details
Sony W550 Vlogging details
34
rather wide (23mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (250 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
missing mic support
29
decently wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone support
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Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony W550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-15 and Sony W550
 Olympus SZ-15Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus SZ-15 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Launched 2013-06-21 2011-07-24
Physical type Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - BIONZ
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 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 23-483mm (21.0x) 26-104mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/2.7-5.7
Macro focusing range 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech LCD Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 secs 2 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 10.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 3.80 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format AVI MPEG4, Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 250 gr (0.55 pounds) 110 gr (0.24 pounds)
Dimensions 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 NP-BN1
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
Card slots 1 -
Price at release $200 $119