Clicky

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FX580

Portability
89
Imaging
40
Features
36
Overall
38
Olympus SZ-16 iHS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
29
Overall
32

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FX580 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
  • Released January 2013
Panasonic FX580
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 167g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Launched January 2009
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-FX550
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FX580 Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Panasonic FX580, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a huge gap between the sensor resolutions of the SZ-16 iHS (16MP) and FX580 (12MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

The SZ-16 iHS was revealed 4 years after the FX580 which is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a short highlight of how the SZ-16 iHS matches up against the FX580 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-16 iHS over the Panasonic FX580

 SZ-16 iHS FX580 
LaunchedJanuary 2013January 2009Newer by 49 months
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FX580 over the Olympus SZ-16 iHS

 FX580 SZ-16 iHS 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Panasonic FX580

 SZ-16 iHS FX580 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display measurements
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FX580 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to travel with your camera, you will have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-16 iHS has got outer measurements of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") and a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FX580 has proportions of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Panasonic FX580 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are using at that time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the SZ-16 iHS against the FX580.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FX580 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ-16 iHS and FX580 is 89 and 95 respectively.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FX580 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FX580 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be tough to see the gap between sensor dimensions just by reading a spec sheet. The image underneath may provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-16 iHS and FX580.

As you can see, both of those cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Olympus SZ-16 iHS to deliver more detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop images a good deal more aggressively. The younger SZ-16 iHS will have a benefit in sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FX580 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FX580 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FX580 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Portrait photography details
Panasonic FX580 Portrait photography details
35
decent MP (16MP)
has face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
no manual mode
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
26
offers face detect autofocus
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SZ-16 iHS
Street photography with Panasonic FX580
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors in class (226g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Sports photography details
Panasonic FX580 Sports photography details
42
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery (220 shots)
has no phase detect autofocus
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (2.0 fps)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Travel photography details
Panasonic FX580 Travel photography details
65
lighter than competitors in class (226 grams)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
no Time Lapse function
terrible battery (220 shots)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
58
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
no Time Lapse mode
MP count low (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Landscape photography details
Panasonic FX580 Landscape photography details
41
reasonably wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16MP)
manual focus not available
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
no manual mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
terrible battery (220 CIPA)
no Time Lapse function
37
pretty wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
lack of manual exposure
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
no Time Lapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SZ-16 iHS
Vlogging with Panasonic FX580
31
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detection autofocus
lighter than competitors in class (226 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external mic support
31
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect autofocus
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic socket
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FX580 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Panasonic FX580
 Olympus SZ-16 iHSPanasonic Lumix DMC-FX580
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SZ-16 iHS Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-FX550
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 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 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 1600
Maximum enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-125mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change WB
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
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data 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 grams (0.50 pounds) 167 grams (0.37 pounds)
Physical dimensions 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" 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 pictures -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $230 $499