Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax K-S1
89 Imaging
39 Features
36 Overall
37


69 Imaging
63 Features
70 Overall
65
Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax K-S1 Key Specs
(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
- Released January 2013
(Full Review)
- 20MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 51200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 558g - 121 x 93 x 70mm
- Announced August 2014
- Renewed by Pentax K-S2

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax K-S1 Overview
Here, we will be evaluating the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Pentax K-S1, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the SZ-16 iHS (16MP) and the K-S1 (20MP) is relatively well matched but the SZ-16 iHS (1/2.3") and K-S1 (APS-C) provide different sensor dimensions.

The SZ-16 iHS was launched 19 months before the K-S1 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus SZ-16 iHS being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-S1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.
Before delving straight to a full comparison, here is a quick summation of how the SZ-16 iHS matches up against the K-S1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax K-S1 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus SZ-16 iHS & Pentax K-S1. The complete galleries are available at Olympus SZ-16 iHS Gallery & Pentax K-S1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-16 iHS over the Pentax K-S1
SZ-16 iHS | K-S1 |
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Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Olympus SZ-16 iHS
K-S1 | SZ-16 iHS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | August 2014 | ![]() | January 2013 | More recent by 19 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial accurate focusing | ||
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 460k | Clearer screen (+461k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Pentax K-S1
SZ-16 iHS | K-S1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Lack of Touch screen |
Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax K-S1 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is planning to lug around your camera often, you should think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-16 iHS has outside dimensions of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") along with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Pentax K-S1 has proportions of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") with a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs).
Check out the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Pentax K-S1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Below is a front view size comparison of the SZ-16 iHS against the K-S1.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-16 iHS and K-S1 is 89 and 69 respectively.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax K-S1 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it can be tough to picture the gap between sensor measurements simply by looking at technical specs. The visual underneath will give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-16 iHS and K-S1.
As you have seen, each of these cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The SZ-16 iHS due to its tinier sensor is going to make shooting bokeh harder and the Pentax K-S1 will give extra detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The older SZ-16 iHS is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax K-S1 Specifications
Olympus SZ-16 iHS | Pentax K-S1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Pentax |
Model type | Olympus SZ-16 iHS | Pentax K-S1 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Advanced DSLR |
Released | 2013-01-08 | 2014-08-27 |
Physical type | Compact | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | - | Prime MII |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 20MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 3:2 |
Max resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 5472 x 3648 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 51200 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | - | 11 |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | Pentax KAF2 |
Lens zoom range | 25-600mm (24.0x) | - |
Maximum aperture | f/3.0-6.9 | - |
Amount of lenses | - | 151 |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen resolution | 460k dots | 921k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Screen tech | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.64x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 4s | 30s |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/6000s |
Continuous shutter rate | 2.0fps | 5.4fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | - | 10.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | Auto, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) | 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | H.264 |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 226 grams (0.50 pounds) | 558 grams (1.23 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") | 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | 78 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 23.5 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 13.0 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 1061 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 220 images | 410 images |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | LI-50B | D-LI109 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Launch cost | $230 | $339 |