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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FH7

Portability
89
Imaging
40
Features
36
Overall
38
Olympus SZ-16 iHS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH7 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
36
Overall
37

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FH7 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
  • Released January 2013
Panasonic FH7
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 19mm
  • Launched September 2011
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-FS22
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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FH7 Overview

In this write-up, we will be comparing the Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FH7, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the SZ-16 iHS (16MP) and the FH7 (16MP) is relatively similar and they possess the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ-16 iHS was launched 17 months later than the FH7 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a complete comparison, below is a quick view of how the SZ-16 iHS scores versus the FH7 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-16 iHS over the Panasonic FH7

 SZ-16 iHS FH7 
LaunchedJanuary 2013September 2011Fresher by 17 months
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH7 over the Olympus SZ-16 iHS

 FH7 SZ-16 iHS 
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Panasonic FH7

 SZ-16 iHS FH7 
Manually focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FH7 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry your camera regularly, you will want to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-16 iHS provides outer dimensions of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") and a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Panasonic FH7 has dimensions of 95mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") and a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FH7 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have at the time. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the SZ-16 iHS and the FH7.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FH7 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-16 iHS and FH7 is 89 and 96 respectively.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FH7 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FH7 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be tough to envision the gap between sensor sizing simply by going over a spec sheet. The graphic here will help give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-16 iHS and FH7.

Clearly, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact megapixels therefore you can expect similar quality of pictures though you really should take the age of the products into consideration. The newer SZ-16 iHS is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FH7 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FH7 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FH7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Portrait photography features
Panasonic FH7 Portrait photography features
35
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
supports face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
no manual mode
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
34
good MP (16MP)
offers face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FH7 as a Street photography camera
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (226g)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
67
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports focus by touch
lighter than others in class (126 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FH7 as a Sports photography camera
42
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
max fps very slow (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (220 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
offers tracking autofocus
low frames per second (4.0 frames per second)
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 details
Panasonic FH7 Travel photography details
65
lighter than average in class (226 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
terrible battery power (220 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
71
lighter than others in class (126 grams)
supports focus by touch
good MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic FH7 Landscape photography highlights
41
rather wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
manual focus not available
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
no manual mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
terrible battery power (220 per charge)
does not have Timelapse mode
43
quite wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not available
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Vlogging highlights
Panasonic FH7 Vlogging highlights
31
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect autofocus
lighter than average in class (226g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone port
34
quite wide (28mm)
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
lighter than others in class (126g)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external mic support
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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FH7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Panasonic FH7
 Olympus SZ-16 iHSPanasonic Lumix DMC-FH7
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SZ-16 iHS Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH7
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-FS22
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2013-01-08 2011-09-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Venus Engine IV
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 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.1-6.5
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 3.30 m
Flash settings 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 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
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 226 grams (0.50 lbs) 126 grams (0.28 lbs)
Dimensions 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") 95 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
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 260 photos
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 recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $230 $149