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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax K-3

Portability
89
Imaging
40
Features
36
Overall
38
Olympus SZ-16 iHS front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax K-3 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
  • Revealed January 2013
Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Released April 2014
  • New Model is Pentax K-3 II
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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax K-3 Overview

In this article, we will be contrasting the Olympus SZ-16 iHS versus Pentax K-3, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by companies Olympus and Pentax. There is a sizeable difference among the image resolutions of the SZ-16 iHS (16MP) and K-3 (24MP) and the SZ-16 iHS (1/2.3") and K-3 (APS-C) come with different sensor sizes.

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The SZ-16 iHS was released 15 months earlier than the K-3 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SZ-16 iHS being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the SZ-16 iHS scores vs the K-3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-16 iHS over the Pentax K-3

 SZ-16 iHS K-3 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Olympus SZ-16 iHS

 K-3 SZ-16 iHS 
ReleasedApril 2014January 2013Fresher by 15 months
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k460kCrisper screen (+577k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Pentax K-3

 SZ-16 iHS K-3 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry your camera, you will need to think about its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-16 iHS enjoys exterior dimensions of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") having a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-3 has specifications of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus SZ-16 iHS versus Pentax K-3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you select at the time. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the SZ-16 iHS compared to the K-3.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-16 iHS and K-3 is 89 and 59 respectively.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's hard to imagine the gap in sensor sizing just by researching specifications. The graphic here might give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-16 iHS and K-3.

Plainly, both cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The SZ-16 iHS because of its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field tougher and the Pentax K-3 will result in greater detail as a result of its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots a little more aggressively. The older SZ-16 iHS will be behind in sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Portrait photography info
Pentax K-3 Portrait photography info
35
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
comes with face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
79
manual focus
MP count decent (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Street photography details
Pentax K-3 Street photography details
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (226g)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment proof
great ISO range (51,200)
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Sports photography details
Pentax K-3 Sports photography details
42
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
comes with tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (220 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proof
has phase detect autofocus
terrible battery pack (560 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Travel photography highlights
Pentax K-3 Travel photography highlights
65
lighter than average in class (226g)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
bad battery pack (220 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
60
environment proof
MP count decent (24MP)
built-in flash
terrible battery pack (560 per charge)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-3 Landscape photography highlights
41
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
no manual mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
bad battery pack (220 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
77
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
great ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW files
environment proof
2 card slots
terrible battery pack (560 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-3 as a Vlogging camera
31
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detect focusing
lighter than average in class (226 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic support
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external mic support
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Pentax K-3
 Olympus SZ-16 iHSPentax K-3
General Information
Make Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus SZ-16 iHS Pentax K-3
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2013-01-08 2014-04-10
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Prime III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 6016 x 4000
Highest native ISO 6400 51200
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 27
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.0-6.9 -
Number of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3.2 inch
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 1,037 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT Color LCD TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames/s 8.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/180 secs
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 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226g (0.50 pounds) 800g (1.76 pounds)
Dimensions 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 80
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.4
DXO Low light score not tested 1216
Other
Battery life 220 photographs 560 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 Dual
Pricing at release $230 $639