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Olympus SZ-15 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
50
Overall
44
Olympus SZ-15 front
 
Olympus SZ-16 iHS front
Portability
89
Imaging
40
Features
36
Overall
38

Olympus SZ-15 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS Key Specs

Olympus SZ-15
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-483mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 250g - 108 x 70 x 40mm
  • Launched June 2013
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 SZ-15 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS Overview

Here, we will be comparing the Olympus SZ-15 versus Olympus SZ-16 iHS, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and they are both sold by Olympus. The image resolution of the SZ-15 (16MP) and the SZ-16 iHS (16MP) is relatively close and both cameras offer the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SZ-15 was unveiled 6 months later than the SZ-16 iHS which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the SZ-15 grades vs the SZ-16 iHS for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-15 over the Olympus SZ-16 iHS

 SZ-15 SZ-16 iHS 
Manually focus More accurate focus

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-16 iHS over the Olympus SZ-15

 SZ-16 iHS SZ-15 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-15 and Olympus SZ-16 iHS

 SZ-15 SZ-16 iHS 
AnnouncedJune 2013January 2013Same age
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Screen resolution460k460kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Olympus SZ-15 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-15 features outer measurements of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) whilst the Olympus SZ-16 iHS has proportions of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") along with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs).

Look at the Olympus SZ-15 versus Olympus SZ-16 iHS in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are using at the time. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the SZ-15 against the SZ-16 iHS.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-15 and SZ-16 iHS is 88 and 89 respectively.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's hard to envision the difference in sensor sizing only by viewing technical specs. The graphic underneath might offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-15 and SZ-16 iHS.

As you can tell, both the cameras come with the identical sensor size and the same MP therefore you can expect comparable quality of files although you may want to take the age of the cameras into account.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-15 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-15
Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-16 iHS
44
you can focus manually
MP count decent (16MP)
features face detect autofocus
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
35
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
has face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Street photography features
Olympus SZ-16 iHS Street photography features
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (250g)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others (226g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Sports photography info
Olympus SZ-16 iHS Sports photography info
53
great zoom range (23-483mm 21.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
42
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
bad battery life (220 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 as a Travel photography camera
Olympus SZ-16 iHS as a Travel photography camera
68
lighter than competition in class (250g)
MP count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (23mm)
very long reach (483mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
does not have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
65
lighter than others (226g)
good megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
bad battery life (220 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Landscape photography highlights
Olympus SZ-16 iHS Landscape photography highlights
49
you can focus manually
rather wide (23mm)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
lack of Timelapse recording
41
relatively wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
no manual control
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
bad battery life (220 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 as a Vlogging camera
Olympus SZ-16 iHS as a Vlogging camera
34
rather wide (23mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (250g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
lack of microphone socket
31
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detection autofocus
lighter than others (226 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic jack
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Olympus SZ-15 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-15 and Olympus SZ-16 iHS
 Olympus SZ-15Olympus SZ-16 iHS
General Information
Brand Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus SZ-15 Olympus SZ-16 iHS
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2013-06-21 2013-01-08
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 23-483mm (21.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.0-6.9
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.50 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
Hot shoe
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 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format AVI MPEG4, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 250 gr (0.55 pounds) 226 gr (0.50 pounds)
Physical dimensions 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") 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 - 220 shots
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery ID SLB-10A LI-50B
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Retail price $200 $230