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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Olympus SH-2

Portability
89
Imaging
40
Features
36
Overall
38
Olympus SZ-16 iHS front
 
Olympus Stylus SH-2 front
Portability
88
Imaging
41
Features
51
Overall
45

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Olympus SH-2 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-16 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 108 x 70 x 40mm
  • Revealed January 2013
Olympus SH-2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 271g - 109 x 63 x 42mm
  • Announced March 2015
  • Replaced the Olympus SH-1
  • New Model is Olympus SH-3
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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Olympus SH-2 Overview

The following is a comprehensive analysis of the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Olympus SH-2, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras and they are both produced by Olympus. The resolution of the SZ-16 iHS (16MP) and the SH-2 (16MP) is fairly well matched and they use the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SZ-16 iHS was announced 3 years earlier than the SH-2 which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a short highlight of how the SZ-16 iHS grades against the SH-2 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-16 iHS over the Olympus SH-2

 SZ-16 iHS SH-2 

Reasons to pick Olympus SH-2 over the Olympus SZ-16 iHS

 SH-2 SZ-16 iHS 
AnnouncedMarch 2015January 2013Newer by 26 months
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Olympus SH-2

 SZ-16 iHS SH-2 
Focus manually No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Display resolution460k460kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Olympus SH-2 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to travel with your camera regularly, you're going to have to consider its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-16 iHS has exterior measurements of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") and a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Olympus SH-2 has specifications of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") and a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs).

See the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Olympus SH-2 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you select at that time. Following is the front view scale comparison of the SZ-16 iHS versus the SH-2.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Olympus SH-2 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-16 iHS and SH-2 is 89 and 88 respectively.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Olympus SH-2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Olympus SH-2 Sensor Comparison

Often, its hard to picture the difference between sensor dimensions just by checking specifications. The picture below might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-16 iHS and SH-2.

To sum up, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact MP therefore you can expect similar quality of images but you should always factor the age of the products into consideration. The more aged SZ-16 iHS is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Olympus SH-2 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Olympus SH-2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Olympus SH-2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Portrait photography features
Olympus SH-2 Portrait photography features
35
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
44
MP count good (16MP)
provides face detect focus
saves RAW files
focusing manually not possible
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS as a Street photography camera
Olympus SH-2 as a Street photography camera
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others (226 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
70
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW files
features focus by touch
lighter than average (271 grams)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS as a Sports photography camera
Olympus SH-2 as a Sports photography camera
42
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has tracking autofocus
low frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
low battery pack (220 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect AF
51
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
better than average battery (380 CIPA)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Travel photography advice
Olympus SH-2 Travel photography advice
65
lighter than others (226 grams)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
low battery pack (220 shots)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
74
better than average battery (380 per charge)
lighter than average (271g)
features focus by touch
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Landscape photography factors
Olympus SH-2 Landscape photography factors
41
reasonably wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
low battery pack (220 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse function
55
relatively wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16MP)
saves RAW files
better than average battery (380 per charge)
focusing manually not possible
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Vlogging features
Olympus SH-2 Vlogging features
31
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detection focusing
lighter than others (226 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone support
35
relatively wide (25mm)
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average (271 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
missing microphone socket
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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Olympus SH-2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Olympus SH-2
 Olympus SZ-16 iHSOlympus Stylus SH-2
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus SZ-16 iHS Olympus Stylus SH-2
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2013-01-08 2015-03-11
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - TruePic VII
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 125
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.0-6.9
Macro focus range - 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 2.0fps 11.5fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 8.30 m (at ISO 3200)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226 gr (0.50 lb) 271 gr (0.60 lb)
Dimensions 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 220 photos 380 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B LI-92B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $230 $399