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Olympus SP-100 vs Sony QX1

Portability
63
Imaging
40
Features
48
Overall
43
Olympus Stylus SP-100 front
 
Sony Alpha QX1 front
Portability
90
Imaging
63
Features
48
Overall
57

Olympus SP-100 vs Sony QX1 Key Specs

Olympus SP-100
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400 (Bump to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F2.9-6.5) lens
  • 594g - 122 x 91 x 133mm
  • Introduced January 2014
Sony QX1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • " Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 216g - 74 x 70 x 53mm
  • Announced September 2014
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Olympus SP-100 vs Sony QX1 Overview

Below is a thorough review of the Olympus SP-100 vs Sony QX1, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Lens-style by rivals Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the SP-100 (16MP) and the QX1 (20MP) is fairly comparable but the SP-100 (1/2.3") and QX1 (APS-C) have totally different sensor size.

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The SP-100 was brought out 7 months earlier than the QX1 and they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus SP-100 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony QX1 being a Lens-style camera.

Before we go right into a full comparison, here is a brief overview of how the SP-100 grades against the QX1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-100 over the Sony QX1

 SP-100 QX1 
Display dimensions3""Larger display (+3")
Display resolution460k0kClearer display (+460k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony QX1 over the Olympus SP-100

 QX1 SP-100 
AnnouncedSeptember 2014January 2014More recent by 7 months
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus SP-100 and Sony QX1

 SP-100 QX1 
Manually focus More precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Olympus SP-100 vs Sony QX1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to lug around your camera, you have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SP-100 provides outer dimensions 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 Sony QX1 has dimensions of 74mm x 70mm x 53mm (2.9" x 2.8" x 2.1") having a weight of 216 grams (0.48 lbs).

See the Olympus SP-100 vs Sony QX1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the SP-100 versus the QX1.

Olympus SP-100 vs Sony QX1 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the SP-100 and QX1 is 63 and 90 respectively.

Olympus SP-100 vs Sony QX1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-100 vs Sony QX1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's tough to see the difference in sensor measurements simply by seeing a spec sheet. The visual here will offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the SP-100 and QX1.

Clearly, both the cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The SP-100 due to its smaller sensor will make achieving shallower DOF tougher and the Sony QX1 will show more detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The older SP-100 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Olympus SP-100 vs Sony QX1 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-100 vs Sony QX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-100 vs Sony QX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-100 Portrait photography info
Sony QX1 Portrait photography info
44
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
comes with face detect autofocus
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
66
manual focus
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
no manual control
external flash not possible
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SP-100
Street photography with Sony QX1
42
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
heavier than competitors (594 grams)
69
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
provides touch focus
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
heavier than competition (216g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-100 Sports photography info
Sony QX1 Sports photography info
53
amazing zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
56
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
great battery pack (440 per charge)
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-100 Travel photography advice
Sony QX1 Travel photography advice
53
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (24mm)
long reach (1200mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
heavier than competitors (594g)
does not offer selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
71
great battery pack (440 CIPA)
provides touch focus
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse function
heavier than competition (216g)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-100 Landscape photography factors
Sony QX1 Landscape photography factors
47
has manual focus
quite wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
64
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
great battery pack (440 per charge)
screen is small (")
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-100 Vlogging factors
Sony QX1 Vlogging factors
29
quite wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has mic support
slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
does not offer selfie friendly display
heavier than competitors (594g)
32
touch screen
supports face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
missing mic support
heavier than competition (216 grams)
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Olympus SP-100 vs Sony QX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-100 and Sony QX1
 Olympus Stylus SP-100Sony Alpha QX1
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model Olympus Stylus SP-100 Sony Alpha QX1
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Lens-style
Introduced 2014-01-29 2014-09-03
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Lens-style
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.2 x 15.4mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 357.3mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3 and 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 5456 x 3632
Maximum native ISO 6400 16000
Maximum enhanced ISO 12800 -
Minimum native ISO 125 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 25
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 24-1200mm (50.0x) -
Max aperture f/2.9-6.5 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.6
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" -
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 0 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 920 thousand dots -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1700 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 7.0 frames per second 4.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 4.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, Red Eye Reduction, Fill-in, Off Off, auto, fill, slow sync, rear sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format H.264 MPEG-4
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Optional Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 594 grams (1.31 pounds) 216 grams (0.48 pounds)
Physical dimensions 122 x 91 x 133mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 5.2") 74 x 70 x 53mm (2.9" x 2.8" x 2.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 330 photos 440 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-92B NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2, 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC, Memory Stick Micro
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $400 $500