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Olympus SZ-11

 
Olympus SZ-11 front
 
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
  • Revealed July 2011
  • Read full specs
  • Alternatives
  • Size Comparison
  • FAQ
Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
37
Overall
37

Olympus SZ-11 summary

Olympus SZ-11 is Olympus's Small Sensor Superzoom camera originally revealed on July of 2011. It has got a 14 MegaPixel, CCD 1/2.3" sized sensor and has a max resolution of 4288 x 3216.

The SZ-11 stands at #179 out of 244 in Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and overall #838 out of 1465 for digital cameras in our list. You should look at our Smart camera search to find camera listings based on your custom factors.

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The following is a chart of multiple factors used in the rating system.

Olympus SZ-11 family

The Olympus SZ-11 is part of a family of cameras. You can see the full range underneath.

ModelVisualizeLensResolutionSensor SizeReleased
Olympus-Stylus-SH-3 front thumbnailOlympus SH-3
SZ-11 vs SH-3
25-600mm
F3.0-6.9
16MP1/2.3"2016
Olympus-Stylus-SH-2 front thumbnailOlympus SH-2
SZ-11 vs SH-2
25-600mm
F3.0-6.9
16MP1/2.3"2015
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Olympus-Stylus-SH-1 front thumbnailOlympus SH-1
SZ-11 vs SH-1
25-600mm
F3.0-6.9
16MP1/2.3"2014
Olympus-Stylus-SP-100 front thumbnailOlympus SP-100
SZ-11 vs SP-100
24-1200mm
F2.9-6.5
16MP1/2.3"2014
Olympus-SZ-15 front thumbnailOlympus SZ-15
SZ-11 vs SZ-15
23-483mm
F2.8-5.9
16MP1/2.3"2013
Olympus-SH-50 front thumbnailOlympus SH-50
SZ-11 vs SH-50
25-600mm
F3.0-6.9
16MP1/2.3"2013
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Olympus-SZ-16-iHS front thumbnailOlympus SZ-16 iHS
SZ-11 vs SZ-16 iHS
25-600mm
F3.0-6.9
16MP1/2.3"2013
Olympus-Stylus-SP-820UZ front thumbnailOlympus SP-820UZ
SZ-11 vs SP-820UZ
22-896mm
F3.4-5.7
14MP1/2.3"2012
Olympus-SZ-31MR-iHS front thumbnailOlympus SZ-31MR iHS
SZ-11 vs SZ-31MR iHS
25-600mm
F3.0-6.9
16MP1/2.3"2012
Olympus-SP-620-UZ front thumbnailOlympus SP-620 UZ
SZ-11 vs SP-620 UZ
25-525mm
F3.1-5.8
16MP1/2.3"2012
Olympus-SZ-12 front thumbnailOlympus SZ-12
SZ-11 vs SZ-12
25-600mm
F3.0-6.9
14MP1/2.3"2012
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Olympus-SP-810-UZ front thumbnailOlympus SP-810 UZ
SZ-11 vs SP-810 UZ
24-864mm
F2.9-5.7
14MP1/2.3"2011
Olympus-SZ-11 front thumbnailOlympus SZ-1125-500mm
F3.0-6.9
14MP1/2.3"2011
Olympus-SZ-30MR front thumbnailOlympus SZ-30MR
SZ-11 vs SZ-30MR
25-600mm
F3.0-6.9
16MP1/2.3"2011
Olympus-SZ-10 front thumbnailOlympus SZ-10
SZ-11 vs SZ-10
28-504mm
F3.1-4.4
14MP1/2.3"2011
Olympus-SP-610UZ front thumbnailOlympus SP-610UZ
SZ-11 vs SP-610UZ
28-616mm
F3.3-5.7
14MP1/2.3"2011
Olympus-SP-800-UZ front thumbnailOlympus SP-800 UZ
SZ-11 vs SP-800 UZ
28-840mm
F2.8-5.6
14MP1/2.3"2010
Olympus-SP-600-UZ front thumbnailOlympus SP-600 UZ
SZ-11 vs SP-600 UZ
28-420mm
F3.5-5.4
12MP1/2.3"2010
Olympus-SP-565UZ front thumbnailOlympus SP-565UZ
SZ-11 vs SP-565UZ
26-520mm
F2.8-4.5
10MP1/2.3"2009
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Olympus-SP-590-UZ front thumbnailOlympus SP-590 UZ
SZ-11 vs SP-590 UZ
26-676mm
F2.8-5.0
12MP1/2.3"2009

Olympus SZ-11 Pros and Cons

Below is a list of advantages and disadvantages of the Olympus SZ-11 based on factors which are generally considered necessary in a camera.

built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
good resolution (14MP)
great minimum ISO (80)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes HDMI out
incredible zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
lighter than competition (226g)
nice screen size (3")
offers face detect autofocus
offers tracking focus
very long zoom (500mm)
cannot use external flash
does not have headphone support
does not have microphone support
does not have Timelapse function
does not offer selfie friendly display
lacks phase detect autofocus
lacks RAW format
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
manual mode not possible
max zoom aperture not good (f6.9)
no aperture priority mode
no manual focus
no moving screen
no shutter priority
screen has low resolution (460 thousand dots)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
terrible battery pack (200 CIPA)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
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Olympus SZ-11 Sensor details

The Olympus SZ-11 is powered by the TruePic III+ chip. The specification of the sensor in the Olympus SZ-11 is 6.17mm x 4.55mm (1/2.3"). The 28 mm² sensor is able to capture 4288 x 3216 pixels at aspect ratios of 4:3 and 16:9. The camera boasts Image Stabilization (Sensor-shift). Sensor stabilization is more effective than digital stabilization as the latter may lead to cropping.

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The CCD sensor boasts 14MP and provides a native ISO range of 80 - 1600. Unfortunately, RAW photos are not saved so you have less room to maneuver in post.

The graphic underneath displays the SZ-11's sensor dimensions in comparison to other common sizes. The SZ-11 sensor comes with a crop factor of 5.8 and is showcased in green.

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To get a sense of various aspect ratios, you should refer to the visual below.

Camera sensor aspect ratios

Olympus SZ-11 dimensions

Olympus SZ-11 is 0.50 pounds (226 gr / 7.97 oz) and the sizing of the camera is 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6"). The weight of typical Small Sensor Superzoom camera is 387 gr so the Olympus SZ-11 is less heavy when compared with its competitors.

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Down below is a picture of the Olympus SZ-11 alongside a soft drink so you can have a feel for its scale.

Olympus SZ-11 dimensions scale

The top view just below will highlight the button layout on the SZ-11.

Olympus SZ-11 topview buttons dials

Olympus SZ-11 Lens specs

The SZ-11 includes a built-in lens providing a focal range of 25-500mm making it a 20.0 x zoom which is very good and is going to make it easier to zoom all the way in.

At the widest 25mm, the lens will have an aperture of f3.0 and that's fairly slow and not very good in low light conditions and you will struggle to capture good bokeh. You would also need to up the ISO producing noisy files. For the tele end, 500mm is terrific zoom and comes with f6.9 making it fairly sluggish and you will need to use slow shutter speeds.

Photography Glossary

Olympus SZ-11 Connectivity

The SZ-11 has the following connectivity:

  • USB Yes
  • HDMI Yes

Digital cameras that feature NFC or Bluetooth compatibility are able to be used wirelessly via smartphones. You can easily transfer photos and at times change settings with no need to connect straight to the camera.

Some applications even enable a Liveview and hit the shutter in case you are not close to the camera. If the camera contains a HDMI out, it can easily be attached to an external display. Almost all cameras enable you to charge the battery pack with the USB socket.

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Olympus SZ-11 Video specs

The max video resolution in the Olympus SZ-11 is 1280 x 720 and it can capture in Motion JPEG format. 720p is low by today's standards. You really should aim for at least 1080p resolution for decent video. The camera does not have a mic or headphone socket so you have no control over your audio. It is probably best to take a look at an alternative model should you want better audio in your video clips.

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Olympus SZ-11 Weather Sealing

Olympus SZ-11 does not include environment proofing so damp conditions may ruin the camera.

Olympus SZ-11 Display and Viewfinder

The Olympus SZ-11 has got a 3 inch fixed display screen boasting a resolution of 460 thousand dots.

Please be aware that the display offers no touch support.

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The View Finder specs regarding Olympus SZ-11 are below:

  • ViewFinder None

Viewfinders are rather useful during sunny outdoor situations which may make the camera display washed out and hard to view.

Olympus SZ-11 Shutter specs

Olympus SZ-11 is able to shoot continuously at 7.0 frames/s. The highest shutter speed is 1/2000 seconds.

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Olympus SZ-11 Flash and Hot shoe specs

Olympus SZ-11 boasts only built in flash without external flash support.

Olympus SZ-11 Autofocus specs

Olympus SZ-11 boasts just Contrast Detect AF and does not have Phase Detect AF. Phase Detection autofocusing is a lot snappier & accurate when compared with Contrast Detect autofocusing. The camera has got Face detect which can be useful for people photography.

It also comes with Tracking AF for moving objects. Olympus SZ-11 has no manual focus. Manual focus ability is useful during low light scenarios or you want more accurate control on depth of field.

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Olympus SZ-11 Battery life

The battery pack (LI-50B) for the Olympus SZ-11 is fashioned to last for 200 clicks according to the CIPA measurements which is less compared to its rivals. The usual Small Sensor Superzoom camera battery life is 316. Fujifilm HS35EXR has got the maximum (600) battery life within this kind of cameras.

Here is a number of Small Sensor Superzoom cameras having the best battery life:

Olympus SZ-11 for specific categories of photography

The following bar chart displays a outline of the Olympus SZ-11 for specific categories of photography. To check out more, check out the specific section underneath.

Olympus SZ-11 Portrait photography highlights

The Olympus SZ-11 receives a points tally of 33 which is low, meaning that it is not suitable to use for portrait photography. Shooting portrait images favors heavily to sensor dimension, support for RAW files and capability to utilize off-camera lighting.

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decent megapixels (14MP)
features face detection focusing
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files

Olympus SZ-11 Street photography details

Having a moderate points total of 60, the Olympus SZ-11 is somewhat suited for street photography. A decent street photography camera has a perfect balance of image quality plus portability.

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image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors in class (226 grams)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support

Sports photography with Olympus SZ-11

A low sports photography points tally of 43 indicates the Olympus SZ-11 is not suitable for taking photos of sports. A camera must have very good focusing plus shutter speeds for sports photography.

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incredible zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (14MP)
has tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery power (200 shots)
does not have phase detect autofocus

Olympus SZ-11 Travel photography info

Portability is extremely critical when buying a travel camera. Over-all, the Olympus SZ-11 gets a nice 65 as a travelling camera which is a fine pick to take on your trips.

Photography Glossary
lighter than competition in class (226g)
decent MP (14MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
long zoom (500mm)
missing Timelapse recording
bad battery power (200 per charge)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)

Olympus SZ-11 as a Landscape photography camera

For anyone planning to pick a digital camera for landscape photographs, the most vital factor will no doubt be image quality. The Olympus SZ-11 at it's low grade of 40 as a landscape camera is not suitable in the current marketplace.

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pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
manual mode not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
not so great battery (200 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse function

Olympus SZ-11 Vlogging factors

A camera for vlogging ought to come with a articulating screen, mic port and ideally IBIS. Taking everything into account, the Olympus SZ-11 is not suitable as a vlog camera as it comes to a low score of 31.

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relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detect autofocus
lighter than others in class (226g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic jack

Olympus SZ-11 Alternatives

If you want replacements to the SZ-11, here is a range of the highest placed cameras that fall under the class of Small Sensor Superzoom.

The line graph below offers you an overview of the SZ-11 versus it's highest scored competitors mentioned earlier.

Here are a handful of other cameras you may check out as alternatives. To check out a detailed comparison, visit the "compare" link.

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Specifications

General Information
Brand
Olympus
Model
Olympus SZ-11
Type
Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed
2011-07-27
Physical type
Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type
CCD
Processor Chip
TruePic III+
Sensor size
1/2.3"
Sensor measurements
6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area
28.1mm²
Sensor resolution
14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio
4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution
4288 x 3216
RAW files
Maximum native ISO
1600
Min native ISO
80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Cross focus points
0
Lens
Lens mount
fixed lens
Lens focal range
25-500mm (20.0x)
Maximum aperture
f/3.0-6.9
Macro focus range
1cm
Focal length multiplier
5.8
Screen
Type of display
Fixed Type
Display size
3"
Resolution of display
460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech
TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder
None
DXO scores
DXO Overall score
not tested
DXO Color Depth score
not tested
DXO Dynamic range score
not tested
DXO Low light score
not tested
Features
Min shutter speed
4 seconds
Max shutter speed
1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate
7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range
9.30 m (@ ISO 1600)
Flash modes
Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions
1280 x 720 (30, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps)
Maximum video resolution
1280x720
Video format
Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless
None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB
USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS
None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight
226 grams (0.50 pounds)
Dimensions
106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6")
Other
Battery life
200 pictures
Battery style
Battery Pack
Battery model
LI-50B
Self timer
Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type
SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots
Single
Retail cost
$253