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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FH27

Portability
89
Imaging
40
Features
36
Overall
38
Olympus SZ-16 iHS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH27 front
Portability
94
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FH27 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
  • Launched January 2013
Panasonic FH27
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-224mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 152g - 99 x 57 x 28mm
  • Introduced January 2011
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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FH27 Overview

On this page, we are evaluating the Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FH27, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SZ-16 iHS (16MP) and the FH27 (16MP) is fairly similar and both cameras offer the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SZ-16 iHS was revealed 2 years after the FH27 which is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short introduction of how the SZ-16 iHS grades versus the FH27 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-16 iHS over the Panasonic FH27

 SZ-16 iHS FH27 
IntroducedJanuary 2013January 2011More modern by 25 months
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH27 over the Olympus SZ-16 iHS

 FH27 SZ-16 iHS 
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Panasonic FH27

 SZ-16 iHS FH27 
Focus manually No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FH27 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry around your camera regularly, you have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-16 iHS features exterior dimensions of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") along with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Panasonic FH27 has dimensions of 99mm x 57mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.1") with a weight of 152 grams (0.34 lbs).

Examine the Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FH27 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the SZ-16 iHS against the FH27.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FH27 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ-16 iHS and FH27 is 89 and 94 respectively.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FH27 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FH27 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very tough to see the gap between sensor sizes simply by going over specifications. The image below might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-16 iHS and FH27.

Plainly, both of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same resolution so you can expect similar quality of photos although you have to factor the age of the products into consideration. The fresher SZ-16 iHS is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FH27 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FH27 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FH27 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Portrait photography advice
Panasonic FH27 Portrait photography advice
35
resolution is good (16MP)
provides face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
34
decent MP (16MP)
offers face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FH27 as a Street photography camera
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (226 grams)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with focus by touch
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FH27 as a Sports photography camera
42
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (220 per charge)
lack of phase detect auto focus
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Travel photography information
Panasonic FH27 Travel photography information
65
lighter than competitors (226 grams)
resolution is good (16MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
not so great battery power (220 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
68
comes with focus by touch
decent MP (16MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-16 iHS
Landscape photography with Panasonic FH27
41
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual exposure
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
not so great battery power (220 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
43
reasonably wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
no manual mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Vlogging highlights
Panasonic FH27 Vlogging highlights
31
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detect focus
lighter than competitors (226 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic jack
32
reasonably wide (28mm)
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect autofocus
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic socket
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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FH27 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Panasonic FH27
 Olympus SZ-16 iHSPanasonic Lumix DMC-FH27
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SZ-16 iHS Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH27
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2013-01-08 2011-01-05
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Venus Engine VI
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 28-224mm (8.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing range - 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT Color LCD TFT Touch Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 5.80 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226 gr (0.50 pounds) 152 gr (0.34 pounds)
Physical dimensions 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") 99 x 57 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.1")
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 photographs 250 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $230 $229