Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax WG-3
89 Imaging
39 Features
36 Overall
37


90 Imaging
39 Features
44 Overall
41
Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax WG-3 Key Specs
(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
- Introduced January 2013
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 125 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
- 230g - 124 x 64 x 33mm
- Introduced July 2013

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax WG-3 Overview
In this article, we will be reviewing the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Pentax WG-3, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Waterproof by rivals Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SZ-16 iHS (16MP) and the WG-3 (16MP) is relatively close and they come with the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

The SZ-16 iHS was released 6 months prior to the WG-3 so they are both of a similar age. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before getting through a in depth comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the SZ-16 iHS matches up against the WG-3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax WG-3 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus SZ-16 iHS & Pentax WG-3. The complete galleries are provided at Olympus SZ-16 iHS Gallery & Pentax WG-3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-16 iHS over the Pentax WG-3
SZ-16 iHS | WG-3 |
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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 over the Olympus SZ-16 iHS
WG-3 | SZ-16 iHS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More exact focusing |
Common features in the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Pentax WG-3
SZ-16 iHS | WG-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | January 2013 | ![]() | July 2013 | Same age |
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen sizing |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 460k | Exact same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither contains selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither contains Touch friendly screen |
Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax WG-3 Physical Comparison
If you are going to lug around your camera often, you will want to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-16 iHS has got outside 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 Pentax WG-3 has measurements of 124mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs).
See the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Pentax WG-3 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are using at that moment. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the SZ-16 iHS compared to the WG-3.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-16 iHS and WG-3 is 89 and 90 respectively.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax WG-3 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it can be difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor measurements just by viewing a spec sheet. The graphic below will give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-16 iHS and WG-3.
As you can see, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the identical resolution so you can expect comparable quality of pictures though you need to factor the launch date of the cameras into account.

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


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax WG-3 Specifications
Olympus SZ-16 iHS | Pentax WG-3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Pentax |
Model | Olympus SZ-16 iHS | Pentax WG-3 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Waterproof |
Introduced | 2013-01-08 | 2013-07-19 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 16MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4608 x 3456 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 125 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | - | 9 |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 25-600mm (24.0x) | 25-100mm (4.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.0-6.9 | f/2.0-4.9 |
Macro focus range | - | 1cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of display | 460k dots | 460k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Display technology | TFT Color LCD | Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 4s | 4s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shutter rate | 2.0 frames per sec | 10.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | - | 3.40 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB 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) | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 226g (0.50 lbs) | 230g (0.51 lbs) |
Dimensions | 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") | 124 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") |
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 photos | 240 photos |
Battery type | 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 recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at release | $230 | $300 |