Clicky

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic LX5

Portability
89
Imaging
40
Features
36
Overall
38
Olympus SZ-16 iHS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 front
Portability
88
Imaging
35
Features
44
Overall
38

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic LX5 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
  • Launched January 2013
Panasonic LX5
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-90mm (F2.0-3.3) lens
  • 271g - 110 x 65 x 43mm
  • Introduced December 2011
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic LX3
  • Replacement is Panasonic LX7
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic LX5 Overview

In this article, we will be reviewing the Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic LX5, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a noticeable gap among the image resolutions of the SZ-16 iHS (16MP) and LX5 (10MP) and the SZ-16 iHS (1/2.3") and LX5 (1/1.63") enjoy totally different sensor measurements.

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

The SZ-16 iHS was released 13 months later than the LX5 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a complete comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the SZ-16 iHS grades against the LX5 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-16 iHS over the Panasonic LX5

 SZ-16 iHS LX5 
IntroducedJanuary 2013December 2011More recent by 13 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic LX5 over the Olympus SZ-16 iHS

 LX5 SZ-16 iHS 
Focus manually Very exact focusing

Common features in the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Panasonic LX5

 SZ-16 iHS LX5 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Screen resolution460k460kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic LX5 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to lug around your camera frequently, you will have to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-16 iHS enjoys physical dimensions 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 LX5 has specifications of 110mm x 65mm x 43mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.7") with a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs).

Examine the Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic LX5 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the SZ-16 iHS and the LX5.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic LX5 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-16 iHS and LX5 is 89 and 88 respectively.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic LX5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic LX5 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very hard to see the difference in sensor measurements just by checking out specifications. The photograph underneath might provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-16 iHS and LX5.

Plainly, the two cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The SZ-16 iHS featuring a smaller sensor will make getting bokeh tougher and the Olympus SZ-16 iHS will provide more detail as a result of its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs far more aggressively. The fresher SZ-16 iHS will have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic LX5 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic LX5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic LX5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic LX5 as a Portrait photography camera
35
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
comes with face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
41
has manual focus
supports RAW files
low resolution (10MP)
very small sensor (1/1.63")
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SZ-16 iHS
Street photography with Panasonic LX5
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (226 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
59
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/1.63")
more heavy than average (271 grams)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Sports photography factors
Panasonic LX5 Sports photography factors
42
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
low battery life (220 CIPA)
has no phase detect autofocus
27
image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (3.0 fps)
low resolution (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/1.63")
has no phase detect AF
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic LX5 as a Travel photography camera
65
lighter than competition (226 grams)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
low battery life (220 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
59
flash built-in
decently wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
missing Timelapse recording
more heavy than average (271g)
low resolution (10 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly display
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Landscape photography information
Panasonic LX5 Landscape photography information
41
pretty wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
manual mode not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
low battery life (220 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse mode
52
has manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
low resolution (10MP)
very small sensor (1/1.63")
missing Timelapse recording
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Vlogging info
Panasonic LX5 Vlogging info
31
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detection autofocus
lighter than competition (226g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic socket
29
decently wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Optical)
does not offer selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone socket
more heavy than average (271g)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic LX5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Panasonic LX5
 Olympus SZ-16 iHSPanasonic Lumix DMC-LX5
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus SZ-16 iHS Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2013-01-08 2011-12-15
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.63"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 8.07 x 5.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 44.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 23
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-90mm (3.8x)
Maximal aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/2.0-3.3
Macro focus range - 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 4.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 7.20 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD Lite
Microphone 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226g (0.50 pounds) 271g (0.60 pounds)
Dimensions 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") 110 x 65 x 43mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 41
DXO Color Depth score not tested 19.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 10.8
DXO Low light score not tested 132
Other
Battery life 220 images -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $230 $294