Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic GX85

Let's examine more closely at the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Panasonic GX85, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SZ-16 iHS (16MP) and the GX85 (16MP) is relatively similar but the SZ-16 iHS (1/2.3") and GX85 (Four Thirds) enjoy different sensor sizing.

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The SZ-16 iHS was manufactured 4 years before the GX85 and that is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SZ-16 iHS being a Compact camera and the Panasonic GX85 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the SZ-16 iHS scores against the GX85 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

This is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX85. The entire galleries are available at Olympus SZ-16 iHS Gallery and Panasonic GX85 Gallery.

If you are going to lug around your camera often, you have to factor its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-16 iHS has got physical measurements of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") having a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Panasonic GX85 has specifications of 122mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.7") along with a weight of 426 grams (0.94 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Panasonic GX85 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are using at the time. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the SZ-16 iHS versus the GX85.

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-16 iHS and GX85 is 89 and 83 respectively.

Usually, its difficult to visualize the difference between sensor measurements simply by going over specs. The graphic underneath might provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-16 iHS and GX85.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras posses the exact same MP albeit different sensor measurements. The SZ-16 iHS comes with the tinier sensor which is going to make getting shallow depth of field harder. The older SZ-16 iHS is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.