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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax RS1500

Portability
89
Imaging
40
Features
36
Overall
38
Olympus SZ-16 iHS front
 
Pentax Optio RS1500 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
30
Overall
34

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax RS1500 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-16 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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
Pentax RS1500
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-110mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Revealed March 2011
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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax RS1500 Overview

On this page, we are comparing the Olympus SZ-16 iHS versus Pentax RS1500, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SZ-16 iHS (16MP) and the RS1500 (14MP) is fairly close and both cameras have the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SZ-16 iHS was launched 23 months after the RS1500 making them a generation away from one another. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a short introduction of how the SZ-16 iHS scores versus the RS1500 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-16 iHS over the Pentax RS1500

 SZ-16 iHS RS1500 
RevealedJanuary 2013March 2011More modern by 23 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Olympus SZ-16 iHS

 RS1500 SZ-16 iHS 
Focus manually More accurate focusing

Common features in the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Pentax RS1500

 SZ-16 iHS RS1500 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax RS1500 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry around your camera often, you should think about its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-16 iHS comes with exterior measurements of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Pentax RS1500 has specifications of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus SZ-16 iHS versus Pentax RS1500 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have attached at the time. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the SZ-16 iHS versus the RS1500.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax RS1500 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-16 iHS and RS1500 is 89 and 93 respectively.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax RS1500 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax RS1500 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very tough to see the contrast in sensor sizes merely by looking through specifications. The image here will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-16 iHS and RS1500.

Plainly, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Olympus SZ-16 iHS to provide you with extra detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics a bit more aggressively. The younger SZ-16 iHS will have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax RS1500 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax RS1500 as a Portrait photography camera
35
good MP (16 megapixels)
has face detect focusing
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
35
focusing manually
good megapixels (14MP)
no manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Street photography details
Pentax RS1500 Street photography details
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors in class (226 grams)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
54
environment sealing
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS as a Sports photography camera
Pentax RS1500 as a Sports photography camera
42
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16MP)
has tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery life (220 per charge)
has no phase detect AF
37
good megapixels (14MP)
comes with tracking focus
environment sealing
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS as a Travel photography camera
Pentax RS1500 as a Travel photography camera
65
lighter than competitors in class (226 grams)
good MP (16MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
missing Time Lapse function
low battery life (220 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
67
environment sealing
good megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
does not have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Landscape photography information
Pentax RS1500 Landscape photography information
41
fairly wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
no manual exposure
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
low battery life (220 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse function
40
focusing manually
fairly wide (28mm)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
environment sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SZ-16 iHS
Vlogging with Pentax RS1500
31
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect focusing
lighter than competitors in class (226g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic socket
25
fairly wide (28mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not have selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic port
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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax RS1500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Pentax RS1500
 Olympus SZ-16 iHSPentax Optio RS1500
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus SZ-16 iHS Pentax Optio RS1500
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2013-01-08 2011-03-16
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 28-110mm (3.9x)
Maximum aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT Color LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1500s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226 gr (0.50 lbs) 157 gr (0.35 lbs)
Physical dimensions 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 260 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B D-LI92
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
Retail pricing $230 $150