Clicky

Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax XG-1

Portability
63
Imaging
40
Features
48
Overall
43
Olympus Stylus SP-100 front
 
Pentax XG-1 front
Portability
66
Imaging
41
Features
37
Overall
39

Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax XG-1 Key Specs

Olympus SP-100
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400 (Increase to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F2.9-6.5) lens
  • 594g - 122 x 91 x 133mm
  • Launched January 2014
Pentax XG-1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1248mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
  • 567g - 119 x 89 x 98mm
  • Launched July 2014
Cutting-edge AI developed by Apple deciphers subtle nuances in pixels

Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax XG-1 Overview

The following is a in depth review of the Olympus SP-100 versus Pentax XG-1, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SP-100 (16MP) and the XG-1 (16MP) is relatively close and they possess the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

The SP-100 was brought out 5 months before the XG-1 which means that they are of a similar age. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before we go through a thorough comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the SP-100 matches up vs the XG-1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SP-100 over the Pentax XG-1

 SP-100 XG-1 

Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Olympus SP-100

 XG-1 SP-100 

Common features in the Olympus SP-100 and Pentax XG-1

 SP-100 XG-1 
LaunchedJanuary 2014July 2014Same age
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Screen resolution460k460kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax XG-1 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to travel with your camera regularly, you need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SP-100 provides outside measurements of 122mm x 91mm x 133mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 5.2") with a weight of 594 grams (1.31 lbs) while the Pentax XG-1 has dimensions of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") and a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs).

Check out the Olympus SP-100 versus Pentax XG-1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you use at that moment. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the SP-100 and the XG-1.

Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax XG-1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the SP-100 and XG-1 is 63 and 66 respectively.

Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax XG-1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax XG-1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be tough to visualise the contrast in sensor dimensions just by looking through a spec sheet. The picture here may give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SP-100 and XG-1.

As you can see, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact resolution therefore you can expect comparable quality of photos however you should consider the age of the cameras into account.

Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax XG-1 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax XG-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax XG-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-100 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax XG-1 Portrait photography highlights
44
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
comes with face detection focus
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
40
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (16MP)
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Street Comparison

Olympus SP-100 as a Street photography camera
Pentax XG-1 as a Street photography camera
42
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
more heavy than competitors (594 grams)
43
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
more heavy than competition (567g)
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-100 Sports photography advice
Pentax XG-1 Sports photography advice
53
amazing zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
45
long zoom range (24-1248mm 52.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (240 shots)
has no phase detect autofocus
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SP-100
Travel photography with Pentax XG-1
53
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
long zoom (1200mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
more heavy than competitors (594g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
52
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
long reach (1248mm)
missing Timelapse function
bad battery pack (240 CIPA)
more heavy than competition (567g)
does not have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-100 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax XG-1 as a Landscape photography camera
47
you can focus manually
pretty wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse recording
45
focusing manually
rather wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
bad battery pack (240 per charge)
missing Timelapse function
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-100 Vlogging information
Pentax XG-1 Vlogging information
29
pretty wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external microphone socket
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
screen isn't selfie friendly
more heavy than competitors (594g)
25
rather wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not have selfie friendly screen
missing external microphone jack
more heavy than competition (567 grams)
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax XG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-100 and Pentax XG-1
 Olympus Stylus SP-100Pentax XG-1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus Stylus SP-100 Pentax XG-1
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2014-01-29 2014-07-15
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Highest enhanced ISO 12800 -
Lowest native ISO 125 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-1200mm (50.0x) 24-1248mm (52.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.9-6.5 f/2.8-5.6
Macro focusing range 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 920 thousand dot 200 thousand dot
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/1700s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 7.0fps 9.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 6.00 m
Flash settings Auto, Red Eye Reduction, Fill-in, Off Force Off, Flash Auto, Force Flash, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. + Red-Eye, Red-Eye Reduction
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (120 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Optional Eye-Fi Connected
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 594 gr (1.31 lbs) 567 gr (1.25 lbs)
Dimensions 122 x 91 x 133mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 5.2") 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 330 photos 240 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-92B LB-060
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal SD/SDHC
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $400 $599