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Olympus PEN-F vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS

Portability
84
Imaging
59
Features
79
Overall
67
Olympus PEN-F front
 
Olympus SZ-16 iHS front
Portability
89
Imaging
40
Features
36
Overall
38

Olympus PEN-F vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS Key Specs

Olympus PEN-F
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 427g - 125 x 72 x 37mm
  • Announced January 2016
Olympus SZ-16 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 108 x 70 x 40mm
  • Announced January 2013
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Olympus PEN-F vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS Overview

Lets take a more detailed look at the Olympus PEN-F versus Olympus SZ-16 iHS, one is a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are created by Olympus. There is a big difference among the resolutions of the PEN-F (20MP) and SZ-16 iHS (16MP) and the PEN-F (Four Thirds) and SZ-16 iHS (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor dimensions.

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The PEN-F was introduced 3 years after the SZ-16 iHS which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus PEN-F being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus SZ-16 iHS being a Compact camera.

Before getting right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the PEN-F grades vs the SZ-16 iHS when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus PEN-F over the Olympus SZ-16 iHS

 PEN-F SZ-16 iHS 
AnnouncedJanuary 2016January 2013More modern by 38 months
Manual focus Very precise focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1037k460kSharper screen (+577k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-16 iHS over the Olympus PEN-F

 SZ-16 iHS PEN-F 

Common features in the Olympus PEN-F and Olympus SZ-16 iHS

 PEN-F SZ-16 iHS 
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing

Olympus PEN-F vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry around your camera frequently, you will want to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus PEN-F has got external measurements of 125mm x 72mm x 37mm (4.9" x 2.8" x 1.5") with a weight of 427 grams (0.94 lbs) while the Olympus SZ-16 iHS has dimensions of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") and a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus PEN-F versus Olympus SZ-16 iHS in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising at the time. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the PEN-F vs the SZ-16 iHS.

Olympus PEN-F vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the PEN-F and SZ-16 iHS is 84 and 89 respectively.

Olympus PEN-F vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS top view buttons comparison

Olympus PEN-F vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's difficult to visualise the gap in sensor sizes simply by viewing a spec sheet. The picture below should offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the PEN-F and SZ-16 iHS.

Clearly, the two cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The PEN-F having a bigger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field simpler and the Olympus PEN-F will provide you with more detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The newer PEN-F will have an advantage in sensor tech.

Olympus PEN-F vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS sensor size comparison

Olympus PEN-F vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus PEN-F vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus PEN-F Portrait photography details
Olympus SZ-16 iHS Portrait photography details
75
focusing manually
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
35
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
offers face detection focus
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus PEN-F as a Street photography camera
Olympus SZ-16 iHS as a Street photography camera
84
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
comes with touch to focus
very good ISO range (25,600)
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (226g)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus PEN-F Sports photography factors
Olympus SZ-16 iHS Sports photography factors
67
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
silent shutter (1/16,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
low battery (330 per charge)
has no phase detect autofocus
42
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
offers tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (220 shots)
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus PEN-F Travel photography information
Olympus SZ-16 iHS Travel photography information
75
comes with touch to focus
decent megapixels (20MP)
selfie friendly display
low battery (330 per charge)
65
lighter than others in class (226g)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
terrible battery power (220 per charge)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus PEN-F Landscape photography advice
Olympus SZ-16 iHS Landscape photography advice
76
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
very good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
low battery (330 CIPA)
41
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
manual mode not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
terrible battery power (220 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus PEN-F
Vlogging with Olympus SZ-16 iHS
78
selfie friendly display
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
no microphone port
31
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detection focus
lighter than others in class (226 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic socket
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Olympus PEN-F vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus PEN-F and Olympus SZ-16 iHS
 Olympus PEN-FOlympus SZ-16 iHS
General Information
Brand Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus PEN-F Olympus SZ-16 iHS
Class Advanced Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2016-01-27 2013-01-08
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VII -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Highest resolution 5184 x 3888 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 25600 6400
Min native ISO 200 80
RAW format
Min boosted ISO 80 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 81 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-600mm (24.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.0-6.9
Amount of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 1,037k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.62x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/2000s
Highest silent shutter speed 1/16000s -
Continuous shooting rate 10.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash -
Flash settings Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 427g (0.94 pounds) 226g (0.50 pounds)
Physical dimensions 125 x 72 x 37mm (4.9" x 2.8" x 1.5") 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 74 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.1 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.4 not tested
DXO Low light score 894 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 images 220 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLN-1 LI-50B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 seconds, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $1,000 $230