Olympus 550WP vs Pentax X70

On this page, we will be evaluating the Olympus 550WP and Pentax X70, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the 550WP (10MP) and the X70 (12MP) is pretty close and both cameras have the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The 550WP was launched around the same time to the X70 so they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus 550WP being a Compact camera and the Pentax X70 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before getting into a in depth comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the 550WP grades against the X70 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Following is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus Stylus 550WP and Pentax X70. The complete galleries are viewable at Olympus 550WP Gallery and Pentax X70 Gallery.

For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera regularly, you will need to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus 550WP enjoys outer measurements of 94mm x 62mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs) while the Pentax X70 has measurements of 110mm x 83mm x 90mm (4.3" x 3.3" x 3.5") with a weight of 410 grams (0.90 lbs).

Check the Olympus 550WP and Pentax X70 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you select at the time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the 550WP against the X70.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the 550WP and X70 is 94 and 71 respectively.

In many cases, it can be tough to visualize the gap in sensor sizing purely by looking through technical specs. The graphic here should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the 550WP and X70.

As you can tell, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You should expect the Pentax X70 to render extra detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures a bit more aggressively.