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Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony W730

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
50
Overall
44
Olympus SZ-15 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W730 front
Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
33
Overall
37

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony W730 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
  • Revealed June 2013
Sony W730
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-224mm (F3.3-6.3) lens
  • 122g - 93 x 52 x 22mm
  • Revealed January 2013
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Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony W730 Overview

Following is a extended analysis of the Olympus SZ-15 versus Sony W730, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SZ-15 (16MP) and the W730 (16MP) is pretty similar and they feature the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SZ-15 was unveiled 6 months after the W730 which means that they are of a similar generation. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the SZ-15 grades against the W730 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-15 over the Sony W730

 SZ-15 W730 
Manual focus More precise focus
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W730 over the Olympus SZ-15

 W730 SZ-15 
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus SZ-15 and Sony W730

 SZ-15 W730 
RevealedJune 2013January 2013Similar generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony W730 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry around your camera, you will have to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-15 has got outside dimensions of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") having a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) and the Sony W730 has measurements of 93mm x 52mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.0" x 0.9") along with a weight of 122 grams (0.27 lbs).

Examine the Olympus SZ-15 versus Sony W730 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are employing during that time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the SZ-15 against the W730.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony W730 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-15 and W730 is 88 and 96 respectively.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony W730 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony W730 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is hard to see the difference between sensor sizes merely by reading specifications. The pic here will give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-15 and W730.

To sum up, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact megapixels therefore you should expect similar quality of files although you will need to consider the production date of the products into consideration.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony W730 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony W730 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony W730 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Portrait photography highlights
Sony W730 Portrait photography highlights
44
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
comes with face detect focusing
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
35
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
provides face detect focus
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Street photography factors
Sony W730 Street photography factors
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (250g)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
67
has image stabilization (Optical)
boasts touch to focus
lighter than competitors in class (122g)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 as a Sports photography camera
Sony W730 as a Sports photography camera
53
long zoom range (23-483mm 21.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
41
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
low frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Travel photography features
Sony W730 Travel photography features
68
lighter than competition in class (250g)
megapixel count good (16MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (23mm)
great zoom (483mm)
missing Timelapse function
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
71
lighter than competitors in class (122 grams)
boasts touch to focus
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Landscape photography factors
Sony W730 Landscape photography factors
49
has manual focus
decently wide (23mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
missing Timelapse function
39
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Vlogging information
Sony W730 Vlogging information
34
decently wide (23mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (250 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
missing microphone support
34
rather wide (25mm)
touch screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
lighter than competitors in class (122 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic support
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Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony W730 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-15 and Sony W730
 Olympus SZ-15Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W730
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model Olympus SZ-15 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W730
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2013-06-21 2013-01-08
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 23-483mm (21.0x) 25-224mm (9.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.3-6.3
Macro focus distance 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology LCD TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 seconds 2 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.50 m 2.80 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Advanced Flash
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format AVI MPEG4, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 250 grams (0.55 lb) 122 grams (0.27 lb)
Dimensions 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") 93 x 52 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.0" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 life - 240 photographs
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model SLB-10A NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $200 $138