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Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony A55

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
50
Overall
44
Olympus SZ-15 front
 
Sony SLT-A55 front
Portability
67
Imaging
56
Features
80
Overall
65

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony A55 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 A55
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 500g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Introduced August 2010
  • Newer Model is Sony A57
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Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony A55 Overview

The following is a comprehensive assessment of the Olympus SZ-15 and Sony A55, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the SZ-15 (16MP) and the A55 (16MP) is very comparable but the SZ-15 (1/2.3") and A55 (APS-C) offer different sensor sizing.

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The SZ-15 was manufactured 2 years after the A55 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus SZ-15 being a Compact camera and the Sony A55 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting into a in depth comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the SZ-15 matches up against the A55 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-15 over the Sony A55

 SZ-15 A55 
IntroducedJune 2013August 2010Newer by 35 months

Reasons to pick Sony A55 over the Olympus SZ-15

 A55 SZ-15 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution921k460kSharper display (+461k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Olympus SZ-15 and Sony A55

 SZ-15 A55 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Display size3"3"Same display measurement
Touch display Neither has Touch display

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony A55 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to travel with your camera, you are going to need to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-15 has outer dimensions of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") with a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) whilst the Sony A55 has proportions of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 500 grams (1.10 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus SZ-15 and Sony A55 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you choose during that time. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the SZ-15 vs the A55.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony A55 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-15 and A55 is 88 and 67 respectively.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony A55 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony A55 Sensor Comparison

Often, its tough to visualize the difference in sensor dimensions just by going through specifications. The picture here should offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-15 and A55.

Plainly, both of these cameras feature the identical MP but different sensor dimensions. The SZ-15 provides the smaller sensor which should make getting shallower depth of field more challenging. The more recent SZ-15 provides a benefit in sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony A55 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony A55 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony A55 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Portrait photography highlights
Sony A55 Portrait photography highlights
44
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16MP)
supports face detect focusing
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
73
manual focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 as a Street photography camera
Sony A55 as a Street photography camera
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (250 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
77
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SZ-15
Sports photography with Sony A55
53
excellent zoom range (23-483mm 21.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
terrible battery pack (380 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Travel photography highlights
Sony A55 Travel photography highlights
68
lighter than average in class (250g)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (23mm)
long zoom (483mm)
missing Timelapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
62
decent megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
no Time Lapse mode
terrible battery pack (380 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A55 as a Landscape photography camera
49
you can focus manually
relatively wide (23mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
missing Timelapse function
67
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
terrible battery pack (380 shots)
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A55 as a Vlogging camera
34
relatively wide (23mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (250 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing microphone jack
78
screen is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes external mic port
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Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony A55 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-15 and Sony A55
 Olympus SZ-15Sony SLT-A55
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus SZ-15 Sony SLT-A55
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2013-06-21 2010-08-24
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 3200 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 23-483mm (21.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Number of lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,150k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Min shutter speed 8s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160s
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) 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format AVI MPEG4, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 250 gr (0.55 lbs) 500 gr (1.10 lbs)
Physical dimensions 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 73
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 816
Other
Battery life - 380 photos
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID SLB-10A NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $200 $800