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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Samsung NX20

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus SZ-16 iHS front
 
Samsung NX20 front
Portability
83
Imaging
61
Features
73
Overall
65

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Samsung NX20 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-16 iHS
(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
Samsung NX20
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Samsung NX Mount
  • 341g - 122 x 90 x 40mm
  • Announced April 2012
  • Succeeded the Samsung NX11
  • Successor is Samsung NX30
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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Samsung NX20 Overview

In this write-up, we will be reviewing the Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Samsung NX20, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless by companies Olympus and Samsung. The sensor resolution of the SZ-16 iHS (16MP) and the NX20 (20MP) is relatively similar but the SZ-16 iHS (1/2.3") and NX20 (APS-C) use different sensor sizing.

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The SZ-16 iHS was announced 9 months after the NX20 so they are of a similar age. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SZ-16 iHS being a Compact camera and the Samsung NX20 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a quick overview of how the SZ-16 iHS scores versus the NX20 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-16 iHS over the Samsung NX20

 SZ-16 iHS NX20 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013April 2012More modern by 9 months

Reasons to pick Samsung NX20 over the Olympus SZ-16 iHS

 NX20 SZ-16 iHS 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution614k460kSharper screen (+154k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Samsung NX20

 SZ-16 iHS NX20 
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Samsung NX20 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry around your camera, you will need to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus SZ-16 iHS has external dimensions of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") having a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Samsung NX20 has sizing of 122mm x 90mm x 40mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.6") and a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs).

Compare the Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Samsung NX20 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you choose at the time. Here is the front view size comparison of the SZ-16 iHS versus the NX20.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Samsung NX20 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-16 iHS and NX20 is 89 and 83 respectively.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Samsung NX20 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Samsung NX20 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to imagine the gap between sensor sizes simply by reviewing specifications. The image below will help provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-16 iHS and NX20.

To sum up, both of the cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The SZ-16 iHS using its tinier sensor is going to make getting bokeh more difficult and the Samsung NX20 will deliver extra detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The fresher SZ-16 iHS provides an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Samsung NX20 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Samsung NX20 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Samsung NX20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Portrait photography advice
Samsung NX20 Portrait photography advice
34
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
has face detection focus
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
76
has manual focus
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Street photography features
Samsung NX20 Street photography features
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (226 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
77
fully articulated screen
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competition (341g)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Sports photography advice
Samsung NX20 Sports photography advice
41
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16MP)
has tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
low battery life (220 shots)
lacks phase detect auto focus
60
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
no image stabilization
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SZ-16 iHS
Travel photography with Samsung NX20
65
lighter than others in class (226 grams)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
no Time Lapse mode
low battery life (220 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
77
lighter than competition (341 grams)
decent megapixels (20MP)
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
no Timelapse mode
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS as a Landscape photography camera
Samsung NX20 as a Landscape photography camera
41
decently wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not available
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
low battery life (220 per charge)
no Time Lapse mode
70
has manual focus
swap lenses (Samsung NX mount)
decent sized screen (3")
decent megapixels (20MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no image stabilization
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Vlogging highlights
Samsung NX20 Vlogging highlights
31
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detection focus
lighter than others in class (226g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic port
78
display is selfie friendly
features face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have microphone port
lighter than competition (341 grams)
no image stabilization
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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Samsung NX20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Samsung NX20
 Olympus SZ-16 iHSSamsung NX20
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Samsung
Model Olympus SZ-16 iHS Samsung NX20
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced Mirrorless
Released 2013-01-08 2012-04-20
Body design Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 15
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Samsung NX
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.0-6.9 -
Total lenses - 32
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460k dot 614k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech TFT Color LCD Active Matrix OLED screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 8.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 11.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, 1st/2nd Curtain, Smart Flash, Manual
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/180 seconds
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) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1920 x 810 (24 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226 gr (0.50 pounds) 341 gr (0.75 pounds)
Dimensions 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") 122 x 90 x 40mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 75
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.4
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.9
DXO Low light score not tested 785
Other
Battery life 220 shots 360 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B BP1130
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 sec to 30 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Launch price $230 $1,100