Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Samsung NX20
89 Imaging
39 Features
36 Overall
37


83 Imaging
61 Features
73 Overall
65
Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Samsung NX20 Key Specs
(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
(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

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.

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.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Samsung NX20 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus SZ-16 iHS & Samsung NX20. The whole galleries are viewable at Olympus SZ-16 iHS Gallery & Samsung NX20 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-16 iHS over the Samsung NX20
SZ-16 iHS | NX20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | January 2013 | ![]() | April 2012 | More 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 type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Screen resolution | 614k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper screen (+154k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Common features in the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Samsung NX20
SZ-16 iHS | NX20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Samsung NX20 Specifications
Olympus SZ-16 iHS | Samsung 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 |