Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax 645Z

In this article, we are contrasting the Olympus SZ-16 iHS versus Pentax 645Z, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Pro DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. There exists a big gap among the image resolutions of the SZ-16 iHS (16MP) and 645Z (51MP) and the SZ-16 iHS (1/2.3") and 645Z (Medium format) come with totally different sensor dimensions.

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The SZ-16 iHS was announced 15 months earlier than the 645Z making the cameras a generation away from one another. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SZ-16 iHS being a Compact camera and the Pentax 645Z being a Large SLR camera.

Before diving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief summation of how the SZ-16 iHS scores versus the 645Z in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

This is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Pentax 645Z. The whole galleries are provided at Olympus SZ-16 iHS Gallery and Pentax 645Z Gallery.

For anyone who is planning to carry around your camera often, you have to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-16 iHS has outer dimensions of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Pentax 645Z has proportions of 156mm x 117mm x 123mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.8") and a weight of 1550 grams (3.42 lbs).

Compare the Olympus SZ-16 iHS versus Pentax 645Z in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you choose at the time. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the SZ-16 iHS against the 645Z.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ-16 iHS and 645Z is 89 and 49 respectively.

Normally, its difficult to envision the contrast in sensor sizes simply by researching a spec sheet. The image below should give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-16 iHS and 645Z.

Clearly, both of these cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The SZ-16 iHS using its smaller sensor will make achieving shallow DOF more difficult and the Pentax 645Z will provide you with extra detail with its extra 35 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics a little more aggressively. The more aged SZ-16 iHS will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.