Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FX78
89 Imaging
39 Features
36 Overall
37


95 Imaging
35 Features
31 Overall
33
Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FX78 Key Specs
(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
- Introduced January 2013
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3.5" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-120mm (F2.5-5.9) lens
- 142g - 100 x 55 x 21mm
- Announced January 2011
- Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FX77

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FX78 Overview
On this page, we will be matching up the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Panasonic FX78, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Panasonic. There is a substantial difference among the image resolutions of the SZ-16 iHS (16MP) and FX78 (12MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

The SZ-16 iHS was released 24 months after the FX78 which makes them a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before diving right into a full comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the SZ-16 iHS grades versus the FX78 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FX78 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus SZ-16 iHS & Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78. The complete galleries are viewable at Olympus SZ-16 iHS Gallery & Panasonic FX78 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-16 iHS over the Panasonic FX78
SZ-16 iHS | FX78 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | January 2013 | ![]() | January 2011 | More modern by 24 months |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic FX78 over the Olympus SZ-16 iHS
FX78 | SZ-16 iHS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen dimensions | 3.5" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Panasonic FX78
SZ-16 iHS | FX78 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither includes selfie screen |
Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FX78 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is going to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to think about its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-16 iHS features outer measurements of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") along with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Panasonic FX78 has specifications of 100mm x 55mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") along with a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs).
Contrast the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Panasonic FX78 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the SZ-16 iHS vs the FX78.

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-16 iHS and FX78 is 89 and 95 respectively.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FX78 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it can be tough to picture the difference in sensor sizes simply by seeing technical specs. The image underneath might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-16 iHS and FX78.
As you can tell, both of those cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You can count on the Olympus SZ-16 iHS to provide more detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots more aggressively. The more modern SZ-16 iHS provides an advantage in sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FX78 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FX78 Specifications
Olympus SZ-16 iHS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model | Olympus SZ-16 iHS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 |
Otherwise known as | - | Lumix DMC-FX77 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2013-01-08 | 2011-01-25 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | - | Venus Engine FHD |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | - | 11 |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 25-600mm (24.0x) | 24-120mm (5.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.0-6.9 | f/2.5-5.9 |
Macro focus range | - | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3 inch | 3.5 inch |
Resolution of display | 460k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Display tech | TFT Color LCD | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 4 secs | 60 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/1400 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 2.0fps | 4.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | - | 5.60 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure 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) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Microphone 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 proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 226g (0.50 lb) | 142g (0.31 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") | 100 x 55 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 photographs | 200 photographs |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | 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 | 1 | 1 |
Retail price | $230 | $210 |