Olympus E-PL1s vs SZ-16 iHS: Two Very Different Cameras, One Solid Comparison

Choosing a camera isn’t just about specs on a sheet - it’s about how those specs translate into real-world handling, image quality, and ultimately, whether it serves your creative goals and shooting style. Today I’m diving deep into two Olympus models that, at first glance, might seem to belong to different worlds. On one hand, the Olympus E-PL1s, a 2010 entry-level mirrorless camera with a Four Thirds sensor; on the other, the 2013 Olympus SZ-16 iHS, a small-sensor, superzoom compact.

Both carry the Olympus badge but approach photography from vastly different angles, and that makes this comparison an interesting exercise. After personally field-testing and scrutinizing hundreds of cameras, I’ll walk you through their strengths, weaknesses, and ideal users, peppering in technical insights, real-world use cases, and value analysis.

Let’s get started with how these cameras stack up physically and ergonomically.

Hands on: Size, Handling, and Design Comfort

First impressions stick, and the feel of a camera in your hands often dictates whether you’ll like shooting with it day after day. The E-PL1s sports a rangefinder-style mirrorless body with distinct grips and a relatively solid feel, while the SZ-16 iHS is a compact point-and-shoot designed for portability and simplicity.

Physically, the E-PL1s measures about 115 x 72 x 42 mm and weighs 334 grams, noticeably chunkier and heavier than the SZ-16 iHS, which is 108 x 70 x 40 mm and 226 grams. That extra heft on the E-PL1s contributes to better stability during shooting, especially when using longer lenses or shooting handheld in tricky light.

The ergonomics also differ significantly: the E-PL1s features dedicated dials and buttons - clubs for your thumbs, as I like to say - which give you quicker access to exposure compensation, modes, and playback. The SZ-16 iHS presses simplicity, relying mostly on menus and limited physical controls.

Above, looking at the top views, the PEN sports shutter speed and mode dials that the SZ-16 notably lacks. Beginners might find the SZ-16’s tiny, minimal controls more approachable at first, but those interested in refining their skills often crave the tactile immediacy of dedicated dials. For me, the E-PL1’s control layout encourages creative flexibility - yes, even if you're a self-taught hobbyist.

Sensor Tech: What’s Under the Hood

The heart of any camera is its sensor, so let’s compare the imaging engines powering these Olympus models.

The E-PL1s uses a Four Thirds (17.3 x 13 mm) CMOS sensor with 12 megapixels, while the SZ-16 iHS packs a tiny 1/2.3-inch sensor with 16 megapixels.

That difference is night and day. The E-PL1s' sensor area is approximately 8x larger, meaning it can capture more light, deliver better dynamic range, less noise at high ISO, and superior color depth. Practically, this translates into cleaner images with a wider tonal range, making the E-PL1s better suited for enthusiasts who like to edit RAW files and push their photos in post.

The compact SZ-16’s sensor, while sporting higher pixel count on paper, suffers from smaller photosites, resulting in noisier images, especially in low light. It handles sunny daylight shots fine but struggles as lighting slips away.

Viewing and Composing: Screen and Viewfinder Experience

Composing your photo is half the battle - how the camera lets you see your scene really matters.

The E-PL1s relies on a fixed 2.7-inch LCD with HyperCrystal LCD AR (anti-reflective) coating. It pushes 230k dots, which by today’s standard feels a bit dim and low-res, but back then was fairly typical. The SZ-16 improves here slightly with a 3-inch TFT LCD at 460k dots, delivering a brighter, higher clarity experience for framing and playback.

Neither camera has a built-in electronic viewfinder (you’d have to add one to the E-PL1s as an accessory), which is a downside for shooting in bright sunlight when LCD glare becomes a pain.

In practical terms, the SZ-16’s bigger, sharper screen makes framing easier on the fly, especially as it’s paired with a powerful zoom lens where precise framing is necessary. However, the E-PL1s’s screen delivers accurate color rendition, which benefits photo review and menu navigation.

Autofocus and Speed: Tracking and Burst Shooting

When it comes to capture action or fleeting moments, autofocus accuracy and shooting speed can make or break the shot.

The E-PL1s uses a contrast-detection AF system with 11 focus points and face detection. Autofocus is relatively brisk for its vintage but not lightning fast by today’s standards. Continuous AF and tracking modes exist but can hunt in low light or low contrast scenes. Burst shooting is capped at 3 frames per second (fps).

The SZ-16 iHS also employs contrast-detection AF with multi-area face detection but features only single AF (no continuous AF). Its burst mode maxes at 2 fps, slightly slower than the E-PL1s.

For sports or wildlife photography - where speed and accuracy matter - both cameras fall short compared to modern standards. That said, in casual or travel scenarios where ultra-fast tracking isn’t mission-critical, the E-PL1s offers a marginal edge thanks to continuous AF and better handling.

Image Quality in Different Photography Scenarios

Let’s break down how these cameras perform across popular photography genres, drawing from hands-on shooting and technical insights.

Portrait Photography: Skin Tones and Bokeh

Portraits demand accurate skin tone reproduction and background separation for beautiful bokeh.

Thanks to its Four Thirds sensor and interchangeable lenses, the E-PL1s shines here. While its kit lens isn’t the fastest, pairing it with a fast prime (like a 45mm f/1.8) gives creamy bokeh with pleasing subject isolation. Its JPEG skin tones feel natural. Face detection assists AF accuracy, though there’s no eye-detection autofocus.

The SZ-16’s small sensor severely limits bokeh capability - you’re shooting mostly at narrow apertures due to lens design and sensor physics, so expect mostly everything-in-focus shots. Skin tone is acceptable but less nuanced due to smaller pixel pitch and more noise.

Bottom line: for portraits, the E-PL1s is the clear winner.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Resolution

For landscapes, detail retention, dynamic range, and weather sealing are key.

With 12MP and a physically larger sensor, the E-PL1s captures richer tonal gradations and finer detail. Its RAW support gives adventurous shooters latitude to recover shadows or highlights - a big plus.

The SZ-16’s higher pixel count can trick you into thinking it’s more detailed, but its smaller sensor limits dynamic range, causing more clipped highlights and blocked shadows in high-contrast scenes.

Neither camera offers dust or weather sealing - take care if you’re shooting outdoors in less forgiving conditions.

Wildlife Photography: Telephoto and Burst Performance

Wildlife snaps demand long reach, fast AF, and rapid shooting.

The SZ-16’s glaring advantage here is its 25–600mm optical zoom (equivalent), perfect for distant subjects. However, the tradeoff lies in slow apertures at the long end (f/6.9), weak AF speed, and limited burst mode. Its tracking suffers from lack of continuous AF.

The E-PL1s allows interchangeable lenses, so you could mount a dedicated telephoto lens (like a 75-300mm), gaining better optics and faster apertures. Its 3 fps burst helps, but AF speeds and tracking remain a bottleneck.

Sports Photography: Tracking and Low-Light Shooting

In the realm of sports, fast autofocus, high burst frame rates, and decent high ISO performance are essential.

Neither camera fits cleanly here. The E-PL1s’s 3 fps and contrast AF system falter with fast-moving subjects. The SZ-16 is slower still at 2 fps and lacks burst continuous AF.

Low-light shooting favors the E-PL1s due to its larger sensor, delivering cleaner images up to ISO 1600-3200, whereas the SZ-16 becomes noisy rapidly.

Street Photography: Discretion, Portability, and Low Light

For photographers roaming urban streets, compactness, quick operation, and decent image quality in mixed lighting matter.

While the SZ-16 iHS is smaller and lighter, the E-PL1s remains compact enough to be unobtrusive when paired with a pancake lens. The PEN’s superior image quality, RAW output, and exposure control make it more rewarding for serious street shooters.

Neither is blazing fast for street candids, but the E-PL1s’s better dynamic range and low-light ability give it the edge in challenging shadows or dusk scenes.

Macro Photography: Magnification and Focus Precision

Neither camera is specialized for macro, but the E-PL1s’s interchangeable lens system offers macro primes or adapters for close focusing with higher precision. Its sensor stabilization helps handheld macro.

The SZ-16 doesn’t specify macro focusing range; its fixed lens limits precision and maximum magnification.

Night and Astro Photography: ISO Performance and Exposure Options

You want clean, noise-free images and flexible exposure modes to capture stars or cityscapes at night.

The E-PL1s’s Four Thirds sensor handles noise better up to ISO 1600 and 3200, while the SZ-16’s small sensor becomes grainy beyond ISO 400. Manual exposure modes (shutter priority, aperture priority, manual exposure) on the E-PL1s unlock creative control necessary for long exposures.

Video Capabilities: Resolution and Stabilization

Both cameras capture 720p HD video at 30 frames per second. The E-PL1s records in Motion JPEG format, while the SZ-16 uses MPEG-4 and H.264, resulting in more efficient compression.

Neither camera supports external microphones or headphone jacks - limitations for serious videographers.

Both employ sensor-shift image stabilization, helpful in handheld movies.

Travel Photography: Versatility and Battery Life

Travelers want one camera that can do it all without carrying extra lenses or gear.

The SZ-16’s massive zoom range and lightweight body scream travel convenience. You get from wide angle to super telephoto in one package, perfect for casual captures and sightseeing.

The E-PL1s requires lens swaps for focal length changes, adding bulk. Its better image quality and shooting control appeal to travelers valuing photo quality over compactness.

Battery life: The E-PL1s lasts roughly 290 shots per charge; the SZ-16 around 220. Neither breaks records but are manageable for day trips.

Professional Workflows: Reliability, File Options, and Connectivity

For pros, the E-PL1s’s RAW support, manual controls, and sturdy mirrorless build make it a modest yet solid entry point. It supports standard SD/SDHC cards and USB 2.0 file transfers.

The SZ-16 lacks RAW and manual exposure, limiting professional editing and control.

Neither camera offers Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or GPS, reflecting their age.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing

Both cameras lack weather sealing, dust/mud resistance, or shockproofing. The PEN’s more robust mirrorless chassis feels solid, while the SZ-16’s plastic compact shell feels light but less durable during rough handling.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

The E-PL1s shines here: compatible with Olympus’s Micro Four Thirds lenses - now numbering over 100 options - providing everything from fast primes to specialized macros and telephotos.

The SZ-16 comes with a non-removable zoom lens. While convenient, you’re stuck with its variable aperture and optical compromises.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

Neither camera offers wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi, NFC, or Bluetooth), which in today’s context is a drawback. The E-PL1s and SZ-16 both rely on USB 2.0 and HDMI for data transfer and external viewing.

Price and Value: Which Gives You More Bang for Your Buck?

When new, the E-PL1s retailed around $600 body-only, while the SZ-16 iHS launched near $230.

Today, the E-PL1s can often be found used near or slightly above the SZ-16’s price point. For serious photographers wanting image quality, manual controls, and upgradeability, the PEN is worth every penny.

The SZ-16 appeals to cheapskates needing a simple point and shoot with extreme zoom for travel or casual snaps.

Summary of Strengths and Weaknesses

Olympus E PL1s front Olympus E PL1s screen back Olympus SZ 16 iHS front Olympus SZ 16 iHS screen back

Above you can see sample photos from both cameras - the E-PL1s produces richer tones, better detail, and more pleasing bokeh; the SZ-16 handles daylight scenes decently but struggles in low light and detail.

Final Verdict: Who Should Buy What?

If you’re primarily a photography enthusiast or beginner with ambitions who values image quality, creative control, and plans to learn and grow, the Olympus E-PL1s is the better bet. Its larger sensor, RAW support, interchangeable lenses, and manual exposure options open doors to serious photography, whether portraits, landscapes, or street shooting. It’s a little older and bulkier, yes - but its classic mirrorless design and Micro Four Thirds mount sustain relevance today, as lenses remain widely available.

For travel buffs looking for lightweight convenience, or those who want a camera that can zoom from wide landscapes to distant wildlife without switching lenses - and who won’t mind the hit in image quality and limited control - the Olympus SZ-16 iHS makes sense. It’s simple, affordable, and fits neatly in a jacket pocket. Ideal for holiday snapshots and everyday casual shoots.

The above performance chart sums it well: E-PL1s outranks SZ-16 in sensor quality, lens optics, and creative features. The SZ-16 scores in ease of use and zoom versatility.

Genre-wise, the E-PL1s delivers broadly better in portrait, landscape, low light, and macro handling. The SZ-16’s real niche is casual wildlife and travel where zoom reach trumps everything else.

Closing Thoughts

Choosing between the Olympus E-PL1s and SZ-16 iHS boils down to your photo goals and budget. Neither camera matches the refinements of today’s mirrorless or bridge cameras - they’re legacy models with obvious compromises.

But if you find a good deal on either, they can still serve specific niches well. With the E-PL1s, you’re getting an entry-level mirrorless that punches above its weight on image quality and versatility. The SZ-16 is a no-fuss zoom compact ready to snap when convenience is king.

In my hands-on experience, I’d recommend the E-PL1s without hesitation for those serious about learning photography fundamentals and enjoying real creative control. The SZ-16 is a decent grab for those prioritizing convenience, reach, and budget over image finesse.

Happy shooting, and remember - the best camera is the one that fits your needs, style, and budget, not the one with the fanciest specs on paper!

Your Questions? Your Next Camera?

If you want me to dive deeper into specific aspects, compare sample RAW files, or recommend lenses for the E-PL1s, just ask. Otherwise, enjoy this Olympus slice of history as you decide your next photographic adventure!

Article images (all rights Olympus/author):

1. size-comparison.jpg
2. top-view-compare.jpg
3. sensor-size-compare.jpg
4. back-screen.jpg
5. cameras-galley.jpg
6. camera-scores.jpg
7. photography-type-cameras-scores.jpg