Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony W800

Here is a in-depth analysis of the Olympus SZ-15 versus Sony W800, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the SZ-15 (16MP) and the W800 (20MP) is very well matched and they feature the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SZ-15 was brought out 7 months prior to the W800 and they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a brief overview of how the SZ-15 grades against the W800 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus SZ-15 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W800. The entire galleries are provided at Olympus SZ-15 Gallery and Sony W800 Gallery.

If you are aiming to carry your camera regularly, you need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-15 enjoys outside 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) whilst the Sony W800 has dimensions of 97mm x 55mm x 21mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.8") having a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus SZ-15 versus Sony W800 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have at that time. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the SZ-15 against the W800.

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-15 and W800 is 88 and 96 respectively.

Usually, it's difficult to see the contrast between sensor sizing merely by checking technical specs. The visual here may provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-15 and W800.

As you can tell, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Sony W800 to give more detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images far more aggressively. The older SZ-15 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.