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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FX48

Portability
89
Imaging
40
Features
36
Overall
38
Olympus SZ-16 iHS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
21
Overall
28

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FX48 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 FX48
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 150g - 95 x 53 x 22mm
  • Revealed January 2009
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FX40
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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FX48 Overview

Following is a in-depth comparison of the Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FX48, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Panasonic. There is a significant difference between the sensor resolutions of the SZ-16 iHS (16MP) and FX48 (12MP) but they come with the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ-16 iHS was introduced 4 years after the FX48 which is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving through a complete comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the SZ-16 iHS matches up versus the FX48 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-16 iHS over the Panasonic FX48

 SZ-16 iHS FX48 
RevealedJanuary 2013January 2009More modern by 49 months
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FX48 over the Olympus SZ-16 iHS

 FX48 SZ-16 iHS 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Panasonic FX48

 SZ-16 iHS FX48 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FX48 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus SZ-16 iHS features outer measurements of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") having a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Panasonic FX48 has sizing of 95mm x 53mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.9") and a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs).

Check out the Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FX48 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have attached during that time. Following is the front view size comparison of the SZ-16 iHS and the FX48.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FX48 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-16 iHS and FX48 is 89 and 95 respectively.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FX48 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FX48 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be hard to envision the gap between sensor sizes simply by looking at specs. The pic here might offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-16 iHS and FX48.

All in all, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Olympus SZ-16 iHS to give more detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures far more aggressively. The younger SZ-16 iHS is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FX48 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FX48 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FX48 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic FX48 Portrait photography highlights
35
decent MP (16MP)
offers face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
27
offers face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SZ-16 iHS
Street photography with Panasonic FX48
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (226g)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Sports photography info
Panasonic FX48 Sports photography info
42
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16MP)
offers tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery (220 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Travel photography details
Panasonic FX48 Travel photography details
65
lighter than competition in class (226g)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
not so great battery (220 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
58
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
missing Time Lapse function
MP count low (12MP)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic FX48 as a Landscape photography camera
41
really wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
not so great battery (220 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse recording
33
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.5 inches)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Vlogging info
Panasonic FX48 Vlogging info
31
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect focusing
lighter than competition in class (226g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic port
30
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect autofocus
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
missing mic socket
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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FX48 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Panasonic FX48
 Olympus SZ-16 iHSPanasonic Lumix DMC-FX48
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SZ-16 iHS Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48
Alternative name - Lumix DMC-FX40
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2013-01-08 2009-01-27
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
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
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-125mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing range - 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.5"
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/3000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 6.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance 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) 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 640x480
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226 gr (0.50 lbs) 150 gr (0.33 lbs)
Dimensions 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") 95 x 53 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.1" 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 photographs -
Type of battery 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/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $230 $325