Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS

Below, we are comparing the Olympus E-PM1 and Olympus SZ-16 iHS, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are produced by Olympus. There exists a significant gap between the sensor resolutions of the E-PM1 (12MP) and SZ-16 iHS (16MP) and the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and SZ-16 iHS (1/2.3") feature different sensor measurements.

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The E-PM1 was released 13 months before the SZ-16 iHS making the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus SZ-16 iHS being a Compact camera.

Before we go through a thorough comparison, below is a quick view of how the E-PM1 grades versus the SZ-16 iHS with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus PEN E-PM1 and Olympus SZ-16 iHS. The complete galleries are available at Olympus E-PM1 Gallery and Olympus SZ-16 iHS Gallery.

If you're aiming to carry around your camera often, you'll have to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PM1 features outside dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) whilst the Olympus SZ-16 iHS has measurements of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") along with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-PM1 and Olympus SZ-16 iHS in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the E-PM1 versus the SZ-16 iHS.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PM1 and SZ-16 iHS is 89 and 89 respectively.

Normally, it is difficult to visualize the gap between sensor sizes merely by reading through a spec sheet. The pic here might provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PM1 and SZ-16 iHS.

As you can see, both of the cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The E-PM1 because of its larger sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field less difficult and the Olympus SZ-16 iHS will give you extra detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop photos much more aggressively. The more aged E-PM1 is going to be behind in sensor technology.