Olympus E-5 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS

Here, we will be analyzing the Olympus E-5 and Olympus SZ-16 iHS, one is a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are created by Olympus. There is a huge difference among the image resolutions of the E-5 (12MP) and SZ-16 iHS (16MP) and the E-5 (Four Thirds) and SZ-16 iHS (1/2.3") offer different sensor measurements.

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The E-5 was brought out 23 months prior to the SZ-16 iHS which makes them a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Olympus SZ-16 iHS being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a concise summation of how the E-5 grades vs the SZ-16 iHS for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus E-5 and Olympus SZ-16 iHS. The entire galleries are viewable at Olympus E-5 Gallery and Olympus SZ-16 iHS Gallery.

If you're planning to travel with your camera regularly, you are going to need to consider its weight and volume. The Olympus E-5 has outside measurements of 143mm x 117mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) and the Olympus SZ-16 iHS has sizing of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-5 and Olympus SZ-16 iHS in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have attached at the time. Here is a front view size comparison of the E-5 against the SZ-16 iHS.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the E-5 and SZ-16 iHS is 58 and 89 respectively.

Often, it's tough to visualize the difference in sensor dimensions just by researching specs. The pic here will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the E-5 and SZ-16 iHS.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The E-5 because of its bigger sensor is going to make achieving bokeh less difficult and the Olympus SZ-16 iHS will provide you with extra detail having its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more aged E-5 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.