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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax XG-1

Portability
89
Imaging
40
Features
36
Overall
38
Olympus SZ-16 iHS front
 
Pentax XG-1 front
Portability
66
Imaging
41
Features
37
Overall
39

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax XG-1 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
  • Launched January 2013
Pentax XG-1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1248mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
  • 567g - 119 x 89 x 98mm
  • Revealed July 2014
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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax XG-1 Overview

The following is a in depth comparison of the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Pentax XG-1, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SZ-16 iHS (16MP) and the XG-1 (16MP) is very close and both cameras offer the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SZ-16 iHS was unveiled 18 months earlier than the XG-1 making them a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus SZ-16 iHS being a Compact camera and the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before going into a detailed comparison, here is a concise view of how the SZ-16 iHS matches up vs the XG-1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-16 iHS over the Pentax XG-1

 SZ-16 iHS XG-1 

Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Olympus SZ-16 iHS

 XG-1 SZ-16 iHS 
RevealedJuly 2014January 2013Newer by 18 months
Focus manually More accurate focus

Common features in the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Pentax XG-1

 SZ-16 iHS XG-1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurements
Display resolution460k460kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax XG-1 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-16 iHS features external 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) whilst the Pentax XG-1 has dimensions of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") accompanied by a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs).

See the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Pentax XG-1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the SZ-16 iHS vs the XG-1.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax XG-1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-16 iHS and XG-1 is 89 and 66 respectively.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax XG-1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax XG-1 Sensor Comparison

Often, its hard to see the gap in sensor dimensions just by viewing specifications. The pic below may provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-16 iHS and XG-1.

Plainly, each of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the exact same resolution therefore you can expect comparable quality of images although you might want to take the launch date of the cameras into account. The more aged SZ-16 iHS will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax XG-1 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax XG-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax XG-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Portrait photography information
Pentax XG-1 Portrait photography information
35
megapixel count decent (16MP)
includes face detect focus
no manual focus
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
40
manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SZ-16 iHS
Street photography with Pentax XG-1
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (226 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
43
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
more heavy than others in class (567g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Sports photography info
Pentax XG-1 Sports photography info
42
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
includes tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (220 CIPA)
no phase detect auto focus
45
amazing zoom range (24-1248mm 52.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (240 per charge)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Travel photography details
Pentax XG-1 Travel photography details
65
lighter than average in class (226g)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
not so great battery power (220 shots)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
52
resolution is good (16MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
long reach (1248mm)
no Timelapse mode
terrible battery power (240 CIPA)
more heavy than others in class (567 grams)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Landscape photography features
Pentax XG-1 Landscape photography features
41
rather wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
no manual mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
not so great battery power (220 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse recording
45
manual focus
fairly wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
terrible battery power (240 per charge)
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SZ-16 iHS
Vlogging with Pentax XG-1
31
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect focus
lighter than average in class (226g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic jack
25
fairly wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
no external microphone support
more heavy than others in class (567 grams)
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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax XG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Pentax XG-1
 Olympus SZ-16 iHSPentax XG-1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus SZ-16 iHS Pentax XG-1
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2013-01-08 2014-07-15
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-1248mm (52.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/2.8-5.6
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 200 thousand dots
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 2.0fps 9.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 6.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Force Off, Flash Auto, Force Flash, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. + Red-Eye, Red-Eye Reduction
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
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), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (120 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
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 None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226 grams (0.50 pounds) 567 grams (1.25 pounds)
Physical dimensions 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 220 photographs 240 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B LB-060
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $230 $599