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Olympus 550WP vs Pentax Q

Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26
Olympus Stylus 550WP front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39

Olympus 550WP vs Pentax Q Key Specs

Olympus 550WP
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 38-114mm (F3.5-5.0) lens
  • 167g - 94 x 62 x 22mm
  • Introduced January 2009
  • Also Known as mju 550WP
Pentax Q
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
  • Introduced June 2011
  • Later Model is Pentax Q10
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Olympus 550WP vs Pentax Q Overview

In this article, we are matching up the Olympus 550WP versus Pentax Q, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the 550WP (10MP) and the Q (12MP) is very comparable and they possess the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The 550WP was launched 3 years before the Q and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus 550WP being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting straight into a in depth comparison, below is a short view of how the 550WP matches up against the Q with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus 550WP over the Pentax Q

 550WP Q 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Olympus 550WP

 Q 550WP 
IntroducedJune 2011January 2009More recent by 29 months
Manually focus More exact focusing
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus 550WP and Pentax Q

 550WP Q 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Olympus 550WP vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

When you are looking to lug around your camera regularly, you need to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus 550WP comes with outside dimensions of 94mm x 62mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs) while the Pentax Q has proportions of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") along with a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus 550WP versus Pentax Q in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you use during that time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the 550WP and the Q.

Olympus 550WP vs Pentax Q size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the 550WP and Q is 94 and 93 respectively.

Olympus 550WP vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Olympus 550WP vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's difficult to picture the gap in sensor measurements just by going through a spec sheet. The graphic here will give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the 550WP and Q.

Clearly, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You can expect to see the Pentax Q to show more detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics a little more aggressively. The older 550WP will be behind in sensor tech.

Olympus 550WP vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Olympus 550WP vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus 550WP vs Pentax Q Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus 550WP Portrait photography advice
Pentax Q Portrait photography advice
19
no manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
MP count low (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
45
focusing manually
high flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus 550WP as a Street photography camera
Pentax Q as a Street photography camera
61
image stabilization (Digital)
weather sealing
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW formats
lighter than average in class (180 grams)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus 550WP
Sports photography with Pentax Q
30
image stabilization (Digital)
weather sealing
max shutter speed is low (1/1,000s)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
31
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides tracking focus
slow fps (2.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (230 shots)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus 550WP
Travel photography with Pentax Q
55
weather sealing
has built in flash
no Time Lapse function
MP count low (10MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
57
lighter than average in class (180g)
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse mode
terrible battery pack (230 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus 550WP
Landscape photography with Pentax Q
30
image stabilization (Digital)
weather sealing
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
no manual control
MP count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
no Time Lapse function
51
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax Q mount)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (230 per charge)
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus 550WP as a Vlogging camera
Pentax Q as a Vlogging camera
25
image stabilization (Digital)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
low video resolution (640 x 480 pxls)
no external mic support
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average in class (180 grams)
does not have selfie friendly screen
does not have microphone jack
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Olympus 550WP vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus 550WP and Pentax Q
 Olympus Stylus 550WPPentax Q
General Information
Company Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus Stylus 550WP Pentax Q
Also referred to as mju 550WP -
Type Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2009-01-07 2011-06-23
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 64 125
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens zoom range 38-114mm (3.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.5-5.0 -
Macro focusing distance 7cm -
Available lenses - 8
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/1000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed - 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 5.60 m
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off, On Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/2000s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 167g (0.37 pounds) 180g (0.40 pounds)
Dimensions 94 x 62 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 47
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 20.2
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 189
Other
Battery life - 230 images
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (12 seconds) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage xD-Picture Card, microSD, internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $399 $695