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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic S2

Portability
89
Imaging
40
Features
36
Overall
38
Olympus SZ-16 iHS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 front
Portability
96
Imaging
38
Features
29
Overall
34

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic S2 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
  • Introduced January 2013
Panasonic S2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 112g - 98 x 57 x 21mm
  • Launched January 2012
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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic S2 Overview

Lets take a deeper look at the Olympus SZ-16 iHS versus Panasonic S2, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SZ-16 iHS (16MP) and the S2 (14MP) is very similar and both cameras have the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SZ-16 iHS was revealed 13 months later than the S2 making them a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the SZ-16 iHS matches up against the S2 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-16 iHS over the Panasonic S2

 SZ-16 iHS S2 
LaunchedJanuary 2013January 2012Fresher by 13 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic S2 over the Olympus SZ-16 iHS

 S2 SZ-16 iHS 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Panasonic S2

 SZ-16 iHS S2 
Manually focus No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic S2 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry your camera often, you will want to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-16 iHS enjoys external 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) and the Panasonic S2 has proportions of 98mm x 57mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") along with a weight of 112 grams (0.25 lbs).

Examine the Olympus SZ-16 iHS versus Panasonic S2 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are employing at that moment. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the SZ-16 iHS compared to the S2.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic S2 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-16 iHS and S2 is 89 and 96 respectively.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic S2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic S2 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its hard to envision the difference between sensor sizing purely by going over specs. The graphic below will provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-16 iHS and S2.

All in all, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Olympus SZ-16 iHS to offer greater detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics a bit more aggressively. The fresher SZ-16 iHS will have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic S2 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Portrait photography features
Panasonic S2 Portrait photography features
35
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
includes face detection focusing
no manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
34
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
supports face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Street photography features
Panasonic S2 Street photography features
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (226g)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (112g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SZ-16 iHS
Sports photography with Panasonic S2
42
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (220 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect AF
40
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
great battery life (280 CIPA)
slow fps (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic S2 as a Travel photography camera
65
lighter than competitors (226g)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
quite wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
not so great battery pack (220 CIPA)
does not have selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
71
great battery life (280 CIPA)
lighter than average (112 grams)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
does not have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic S2 as a Landscape photography camera
41
quite wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
no manual control
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
not so great battery pack (220 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse recording
41
really wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
great battery life (280 per charge)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SZ-16 iHS
Vlogging with Panasonic S2
31
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection focusing
lighter than competitors (226 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
does not have selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic jack
33
really wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection autofocus
lighter than average (112g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not have selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone port
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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Panasonic S2
 Olympus SZ-16 iHSPanasonic Lumix DMC-S2
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SZ-16 iHS Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2013-01-08 2012-01-09
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 23
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.1-6.5
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech TFT Color LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 8s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 3.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance 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), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226 grams (0.50 pounds) 112 grams (0.25 pounds)
Physical dimensions 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") 98 x 57 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8")
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 photographs 280 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack 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 media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch price $230 $109