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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FX78

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus SZ-16 iHS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
31
Overall
33

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FX78 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
  • Introduced January 2013
Panasonic FX78
(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
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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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-16 iHS over the Panasonic FX78

 SZ-16 iHS FX78 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013January 2011More modern by 24 months
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FX78 over the Olympus SZ-16 iHS

 FX78 SZ-16 iHS 
Screen dimensions3.5"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 typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FX78 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FX78 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FX78 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic FX78 Portrait photography highlights
34
good MP (16 megapixels)
comes with face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
21
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
low resolution (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SZ-16 iHS
Street photography with Panasonic FX78
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others (226 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Sports photography factors
Panasonic FX78 Sports photography factors
41
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
low battery pack (220 CIPA)
does not have phase detect autofocus
28
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking focus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,400 seconds)
low fps (4.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
low resolution (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery pack (200 per charge)
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Travel photography features
Panasonic FX78 Travel photography features
65
lighter than others (226g)
good MP (16MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
low battery pack (220 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
56
has built in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low battery pack (200 per charge)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Landscape photography info
Panasonic FX78 Landscape photography info
41
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16MP)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not available
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
low battery pack (220 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse recording
36
fairly wide (24mm)
big screen (3.5")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.5)
lack of manual mode
low resolution (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
low battery pack (200 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Vlogging details
Panasonic FX78 Vlogging details
31
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detection autofocus
lighter than others (226g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic jack
33
fairly wide (24mm)
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.5)
does not offer selfie friendly display
doesn't have microphone support
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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic FX78 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Panasonic FX78
 Olympus SZ-16 iHSPanasonic 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