Olympus SZ-15: Exploring the Advanced Features of this Popular Camera

The Olympus SZ-15 is a compact digital camera that packs a punch in terms of its features and capabilities. This blog post will cover everything you need to know about the camera, from its image quality and zoom capabilities to its ease of use and portability. Whether you're a professional photographer or just getting started, the Olympus SZ-15 is a great camera option to consider.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Olympus SZ-15 article cover photo

Key Features

Jun 21 2013

Announced

16 megapixels

Resolution

BrandOlympus
Sensor Type1/2.3-inch
SensorCCD
Weight250g
MSRP$199USD

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Overview of the SZ-15

When it comes to digital cameras, the Olympus SZ-15 is a force to be reckoned with. This compact camera has been a popular choice for those looking for a versatile and high-quality camera that is easy to use and transport. In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at the features that make the Olympus SZ-15 stand out from the rest, including its impressive zoom capabilities, image quality, and user-friendly interface. Whether you're in the market for a new camera or just curious about the latest technology, this post will provide you with all the information you need to know about the Olympus SZ-15. So, let's dive in!

Olympus SZ-15 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Olympus SZ-15 camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

Olympus SZ-15 has a 16MP CCD sensor
Affordable with good value for money
24x optical zoom lens
Contains 720p video recording capabilities
Has in-camera editing tools

Cons

LCD screen doesn't have high resolution
Doesn't have built-in Wi-Fi
Battery life is not outstanding
Slow focus and shutter speed in low light situations
Image quality can suffer at higher ISO levels.

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Olympus SZ-15

Weather sealed
Dimensions108 x 70 x 40 mmmm
Weight250g
Thicknessnullmm
Weight
Min
Avg
This
Max
Thickness
Min
Avg
This
Max

Weather Sealing

The Olympus SZ-15 is not sealed against water and dust, so it's important to be careful when using it in such conditions. If you often shoot in environments with water or dust, it's recommended to check out another camera with weather sealing.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderNone
Screen TypeFixed Type
Screen Resolution460k dots
Body typeCompact

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fixed type 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 460k dots. This makes the Olympus SZ-15 not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. Unfortunately, the camera does not have a touch screen, which may make it less user-friendly.

Viewfinder

Olympus SZ-15 does not include a viewfinder. The lack of a viewfinder on the SZ-15 camera may make it less suitable for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Olympus SZ-15 has a 16MP sized CCD sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 16 pixels. Olympus SZ-15 has a native ISO range of 100 - 3200 which can be boosted to null - null.

Key Features

Jun 21 2013

Announced

100 - 3200

ISO Range

Sensor1/2.3-inch
Extended ISOnull - null
Max resolution4608 x 3456 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

not tested

Color Depth

not tested

Dynamic Range

not tested

Low Light ISO

not tested

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Olympus SZ-15 camera has excellent color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also excellent, allowing it to retain high amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is excellent, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the SZ-15 is excellent

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: 1/2.3-inch

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD/SDHC/SDXC
Battery Life
Battery ModelSLB-10A
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Olympus SZ-15 supports SD/SDHC/SDXC with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Olympus SZ-15 uses the SLB-10A model of undefined. This is rated for undefined shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Olympus SZ-15 has built in flash which is great for event photography and in low light situations. However it lacks an external flash shoe, which limits you to using the built-in flash.

Shutter

The Olympus SZ-15 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/2000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Olympus SZ-15 includes contrast detection autofocus (AF), with null number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Olympus SZ-15?

The Olympus SZ-15 features a CCD sensor

Is the Olympus SZ-15 weather sealed?

No the SZ-15 does not have weather sealing.

When was the Olympus SZ-15 announced?

The Olympus SZ-15 was announced on Jun 21 2013

Does the Olympus SZ-15 have in-body image stabilization?

Yes the SZ-15 does have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Olympus SZ-15?

The SZ-15 has a native ISO range of 100-3200, which can be expanded to ISO null-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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