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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZR1

Portability
89
Imaging
40
Features
36
Overall
38
Olympus SZ-16 iHS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZR1 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
  • Announced January 2013
Panasonic ZR1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 158g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Revealed July 2009
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-ZX1
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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZR1 Overview

On this page, we will be matching up the Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZR1, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. There is a substantial difference among the resolutions of the SZ-16 iHS (16MP) and ZR1 (12MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ-16 iHS was revealed 3 years later than the ZR1 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick summary of how the SZ-16 iHS matches up against the ZR1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-16 iHS over the Panasonic ZR1

 SZ-16 iHS ZR1 
RevealedJanuary 2013July 2009More recent by 43 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR1 over the Olympus SZ-16 iHS

 ZR1 SZ-16 iHS 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Panasonic ZR1

 SZ-16 iHS ZR1 
Focus manually No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZR1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to lug around your camera regularly, you'll need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-16 iHS features 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 ZR1 has dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") and a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs).

Check the Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZR1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are employing at that moment. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the SZ-16 iHS vs the ZR1.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZR1 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-16 iHS and ZR1 is 89 and 94 respectively.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZR1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZR1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be hard to visualise the gap in sensor measurements simply by going through specs. The graphic below might give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-16 iHS and ZR1.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You can expect the Olympus SZ-16 iHS to show extra detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The fresher SZ-16 iHS is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZR1 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZR1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZR1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic ZR1 Portrait photography highlights
35
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
supports face detection autofocus
no manual focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
21
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Street photography advice
Panasonic ZR1 Street photography advice
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors in class (226g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Sports photography highlights
Panasonic ZR1 Sports photography highlights
42
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
low frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
low battery (220 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Travel photography highlights
Panasonic ZR1 Travel photography highlights
65
lighter than competitors in class (226g)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
low battery (220 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.0)
57
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
low MP (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-16 iHS
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZR1
41
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
no manual exposure
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
low battery (220 shots)
does not have Time Lapse function
32
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Vlogging details
Panasonic ZR1 Vlogging details
31
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detection autofocus
lighter than competitors in class (226 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic support
28
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not have selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone jack
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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZR1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Panasonic ZR1
 Olympus SZ-16 iHSPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus SZ-16 iHS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
Alternative name - Lumix DMC-ZX1
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2013-01-08 2009-07-27
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Venus Engine V
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 16MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 11
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-200mm (8.0x)
Max aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus distance - 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 5.10 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance 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 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226g (0.50 lbs) 158g (0.35 lbs)
Physical dimensions 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0")
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 shots -
Type 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 recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $230 $280