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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Samsung HZ15W

Portability
89
Imaging
40
Features
36
Overall
38
Olympus SZ-16 iHS front
 
Samsung HZ15W front
Portability
90
Imaging
35
Features
31
Overall
33

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Samsung HZ15W 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
Samsung HZ15W
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-240mm (F3.3-5.8) lens
  • 249g - 105 x 61 x 37mm
  • Released February 2009
  • Alternative Name is WB550
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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Samsung HZ15W Overview

Let's look closer at the Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Samsung HZ15W, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Samsung. There is a significant difference among the image resolutions of the SZ-16 iHS (16MP) and HZ15W (12MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SZ-16 iHS was revealed 3 years later than the HZ15W and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a more detailed comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the SZ-16 iHS matches up vs the HZ15W when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-16 iHS over the Samsung HZ15W

 SZ-16 iHS HZ15W 
ReleasedJanuary 2013February 2009Fresher by 48 months

Reasons to pick Samsung HZ15W over the Olympus SZ-16 iHS

 HZ15W SZ-16 iHS 
Manual focus Very exact focus

Common features in the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Samsung HZ15W

 SZ-16 iHS HZ15W 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurements
Display resolution460k460kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither has Touch friendly display

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Samsung HZ15W Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry your camera often, you'll have to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-16 iHS has outer measurements of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") and a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Samsung HZ15W has measurements of 105mm x 61mm x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") along with a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs).

Compare the Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Samsung HZ15W in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are working with at the time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the SZ-16 iHS against the HZ15W.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Samsung HZ15W size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-16 iHS and HZ15W is 89 and 90 respectively.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Samsung HZ15W top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Samsung HZ15W Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be difficult to visualize the gap in sensor sizing only by looking through a spec sheet. The photograph below will give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-16 iHS and HZ15W.

Clearly, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You should anticipate the Olympus SZ-16 iHS to result in more detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop photos more aggressively. The newer SZ-16 iHS provides a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Samsung HZ15W sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-16 iHS
Portrait photography with Samsung HZ15W
35
megapixel count decent (16MP)
comes with face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
32
manual focus
comes with face detect autofocus
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Street photography information
Samsung HZ15W Street photography information
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average (226g)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
53
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
more heavy than competition in class (249 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SZ-16 iHS
Sports photography with Samsung HZ15W
42
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
slow frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery power (220 shots)
no phase detect auto focus
27
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Travel photography advice
Samsung HZ15W Travel photography advice
65
lighter than average (226 grams)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
bad battery power (220 per charge)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
54
has built in flash
quite wide (24mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition in class (249 grams)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-16 iHS
Landscape photography with Samsung HZ15W
41
reasonably wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not available
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
bad battery power (220 per charge)
missing Time Lapse mode
41
manual focus
quite wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
manual mode not available
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Vlogging highlights
Samsung HZ15W Vlogging highlights
31
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detect focus
lighter than average (226 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing mic support
29
quite wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detect autofocus
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone jack
more heavy than competition in class (249g)
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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Samsung HZ15W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Samsung HZ15W
 Olympus SZ-16 iHSSamsung HZ15W
General Information
Brand Olympus Samsung
Model Olympus SZ-16 iHS Samsung HZ15W
Also called - WB550
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2013-01-08 2009-02-23
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-240mm (10.0x)
Max aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.3-5.8
Macro focus range - 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 16s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 4.70 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red eye fix
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
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) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226g (0.50 lbs) 249g (0.55 lbs)
Physical dimensions 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") 105 x 61 x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 photographs -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (10 sec, 2 sec, Double, Motion Timer)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $230 $330