Clicky

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZS25

Portability
89
Imaging
40
Features
36
Overall
38
Olympus SZ-16 iHS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS25 front
Portability
93
Imaging
40
Features
43
Overall
41

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZS25 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 ZS25
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 193g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Revealed January 2013
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ35
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS20
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS30
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZS25 Overview

Here is a detailed assessment of the Olympus SZ-16 iHS versus Panasonic ZS25, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SZ-16 iHS (16MP) and the ZS25 (16MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras offer the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

The SZ-16 iHS was announced around the same time to the ZS25 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a short highlight of how the SZ-16 iHS scores against the ZS25 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-16 iHS over the Panasonic ZS25

 SZ-16 iHS ZS25 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS25 over the Olympus SZ-16 iHS

 ZS25 SZ-16 iHS 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Panasonic ZS25

 SZ-16 iHS ZS25 
RevealedJanuary 2013January 2013Same age
Manually focus Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display size
Display resolution460k460kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZS25 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry your camera often, you will want to think about 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") with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS25 has specifications of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 193 grams (0.43 lbs).

Check the Olympus SZ-16 iHS versus Panasonic ZS25 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Following is a front view size comparison of the SZ-16 iHS and the ZS25.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZS25 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-16 iHS and ZS25 is 89 and 93 respectively.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZS25 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZS25 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is difficult to imagine the difference in sensor sizing merely by seeing a spec sheet. The photograph below will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-16 iHS and ZS25.

As you can see, the 2 cameras feature the identical sensor size and the same MP therefore you can expect comparable quality of images but you should always factor the launch date of the cameras into account.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZS25 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZS25 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZS25 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Portrait photography info
Panasonic ZS25 Portrait photography info
35
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
offers face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
32
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS25 as a Street photography camera
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (226 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
66
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers focus via touch
lighter than competition in class (193 grams)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Sports photography highlights
Panasonic ZS25 Sports photography highlights
42
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
offers tracking focus
slow frames per second (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery (220 CIPA)
lacks phase detect AF
45
incredible zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
max shutter speed is low (1/1,200s)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (260 CIPA)
no phase detect AF
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Travel photography factors
Panasonic ZS25 Travel photography factors
65
lighter than competition (226 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
lack of Timelapse function
not so great battery (220 per charge)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
69
lighter than competition in class (193 grams)
offers focus via touch
MP count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
long reach (480mm)
missing Timelapse function
terrible battery life (260 per charge)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS25 as a Landscape photography camera
41
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
not so great battery (220 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse function
43
pretty wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
terrible battery life (260 per charge)
missing Timelapse function
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Vlogging info
Panasonic ZS25 Vlogging info
31
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect focusing
lighter than competition (226 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone jack
34
pretty wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (193 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
missing external microphone port
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZS25 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Panasonic ZS25
 Olympus SZ-16 iHSPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS25
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SZ-16 iHS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS25
Alternative name - Lumix DMC-TZ35
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2013-01-08 2013-01-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 23
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing range - 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 15s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1200s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 6.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported 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 (220 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
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 226g (0.50 pounds) 193g (0.43 pounds)
Physical dimensions 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 260 photographs
Battery form 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 feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release $230 $300