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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Olympus 550WP

Portability
89
Imaging
40
Features
36
Overall
38
Olympus SZ-16 iHS front
 
Olympus Stylus 550WP front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Olympus 550WP Key Specs

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
Olympus 550WP
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 38-114mm (F3.5-5.0) lens
  • 167g - 94 x 62 x 22mm
  • Launched January 2009
  • Alternate Name is mju 550WP
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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Olympus 550WP Overview

Following is a in-depth analysis of the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Olympus 550WP, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both produced by Olympus. There is a crucial difference among the resolutions of the SZ-16 iHS (16MP) and 550WP (10MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ-16 iHS was launched 4 years after the 550WP which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going through a complete comparison, below is a simple overview of how the SZ-16 iHS scores vs the 550WP with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-16 iHS over the Olympus 550WP

 SZ-16 iHS 550WP 
LaunchedJanuary 2013January 2009More modern by 49 months
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus 550WP over the Olympus SZ-16 iHS

 550WP SZ-16 iHS 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Olympus 550WP

 SZ-16 iHS 550WP 
Focus manually No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Olympus 550WP Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry around your camera often, you're going to have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-16 iHS has got exterior measurements of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") having a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Olympus 550WP has measurements of 94mm x 62mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Compare the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Olympus 550WP in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have at that time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the SZ-16 iHS and the 550WP.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Olympus 550WP size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-16 iHS and 550WP is 89 and 94 respectively.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Olympus 550WP top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Olympus 550WP Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's difficult to see the difference in sensor sizes only by going through a spec sheet. The pic below will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-16 iHS and 550WP.

As you can see, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Olympus SZ-16 iHS to produce more detail utilizing its extra 6MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The more modern SZ-16 iHS is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Olympus 550WP sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Olympus 550WP Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Olympus 550WP Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Portrait photography highlights
Olympus 550WP Portrait photography highlights
35
good resolution (16MP)
features face detect focusing
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
19
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Street photography details
Olympus 550WP Street photography details
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (226g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
61
has image stabilization (Digital)
environment sealing
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SZ-16 iHS
Sports photography with Olympus 550WP
42
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16MP)
features tracking focus
low fps (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (220 shots)
lack of phase detect AF
30
has image stabilization (Digital)
environment sealing
low max shutter speed (1/1,000 seconds)
no shutter priority
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS as a Travel photography camera
Olympus 550WP as a Travel photography camera
65
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
good resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
no Time Lapse recording
terrible battery life (220 per charge)
does not posses selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
55
environment sealing
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-16 iHS
Landscape photography with Olympus 550WP
41
relatively wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
terrible battery life (220 per charge)
no Time Lapse recording
30
has image stabilization (Digital)
environment sealing
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
lack of manual exposure
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Vlogging info
Olympus 550WP Vlogging info
31
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detect focusing
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
does not posses selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic socket
25
has image stabilization (Digital)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
low quality video (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of external microphone socket
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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Olympus 550WP Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Olympus 550WP
 Olympus SZ-16 iHSOlympus Stylus 550WP
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus SZ-16 iHS Olympus Stylus 550WP
Also called as - mju 550WP
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2013-01-08 2009-01-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 6400 1600
Min native ISO 80 64
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 38-114mm (3.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.5-5.0
Macro focusing distance - 7cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.5"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1000s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off, On
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226g (0.50 lbs) 167g (0.37 lbs)
Dimensions 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") 94 x 62 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9")
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 photos -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC xD-Picture Card, microSD, internal
Card slots One One
Launch price $230 $399