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Nikon B500 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS

Portability
68
Imaging
41
Features
50
Overall
44
Nikon Coolpix B500 front
 
Olympus SZ-16 iHS front
Portability
89
Imaging
40
Features
36
Overall
38

Nikon B500 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS Key Specs

Nikon B500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-900mm (F3.0-6.5) lens
  • 541g - 114 x 78 x 95mm
  • Revealed February 2016
Olympus SZ-16 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 108 x 70 x 40mm
  • Launched January 2013
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Nikon B500 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS Overview

Lets take a more detailed look at the Nikon B500 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by competitors Nikon and Olympus. The resolution of the B500 (16MP) and the SZ-16 iHS (16MP) is very comparable and both cameras posses the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The B500 was unveiled 3 years later than the SZ-16 iHS and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Nikon B500 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Olympus SZ-16 iHS being a Compact camera.

Before diving into a complete comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the B500 matches up versus the SZ-16 iHS when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon B500 over the Olympus SZ-16 iHS

 B500 SZ-16 iHS 
LaunchedFebruary 2016January 2013Fresher by 39 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution921k460kCrisper display (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-16 iHS over the Nikon B500

 SZ-16 iHS B500 

Common features in the Nikon B500 and Olympus SZ-16 iHS

 B500 SZ-16 iHS 
Manual focus Lack of manual focusing
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Nikon B500 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry your camera regularly, you have to consider its weight and size. The Nikon B500 features exterior measurements of 114mm x 78mm x 95mm (4.5" x 3.1" x 3.7") along with a weight of 541 grams (1.19 lbs) while the Olympus SZ-16 iHS has specifications of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") along with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon B500 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at that moment. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the B500 compared to the SZ-16 iHS.

Nikon B500 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the B500 and SZ-16 iHS is 68 and 89 respectively.

Nikon B500 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS top view buttons comparison

Nikon B500 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's difficult to see the gap in sensor sizing only by going through a spec sheet. The photograph here will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the B500 and SZ-16 iHS.

Clearly, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same resolution so you can expect comparable quality of files although you really should take the launch date of the cameras into account. The younger B500 will have an edge in sensor innovation.

Nikon B500 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS sensor size comparison

Nikon B500 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon B500 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon B500
Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-16 iHS
37
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
provides face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
35
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
provides face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon B500
Street photography with Olympus SZ-16 iHS
52
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
more heavy than competitors in class (541g)
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (226 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon B500 Sports photography highlights
Olympus SZ-16 iHS Sports photography highlights
51
amazing zoom range (23-900mm 39.1 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
provides tracking autofocus
great battery (600 per charge)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
42
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (220 per charge)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon B500
Travel photography with Olympus SZ-16 iHS
59
great battery (600 CIPA)
connects via bluetooth
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (23mm)
long zoom (900mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
more heavy than competitors in class (541 grams)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
65
lighter than others in class (226 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
terrible battery pack (220 shots)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon B500 as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus SZ-16 iHS as a Landscape photography camera
45
rather wide (23mm)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
great battery (600 CIPA)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
41
pretty wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
terrible battery pack (220 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon B500 as a Vlogging camera
Olympus SZ-16 iHS as a Vlogging camera
27
rather wide (23mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
lack of external microphone socket
more heavy than competitors in class (541 grams)
31
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection focus
lighter than others in class (226 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic port
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Nikon B500 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon B500 and Olympus SZ-16 iHS
 Nikon Coolpix B500Olympus SZ-16 iHS
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Olympus
Model type Nikon Coolpix B500 Olympus SZ-16 iHS
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2016-02-23 2013-01-08
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 -
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 23-900mm (39.1x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.0-6.5 f/3.0-6.9
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 1s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 7.4fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.90 m (at Auto ISO) -
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 541g (1.19 lbs) 226g (0.50 lbs)
Physical dimensions 114 x 78 x 95mm (4.5" x 3.1" x 3.7") 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6")
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 600 photos 220 photos
Type of battery AA Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA LI-50B
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 secs) Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $300 $230