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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony A100

Portability
89
Imaging
40
Features
36
Overall
38
Olympus SZ-16 iHS front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 front
Portability
64
Imaging
48
Features
38
Overall
44

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony A100 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
Sony A100
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 638g - 133 x 95 x 71mm
  • Launched July 2006
  • Older Model is Konica Minolta 5D
  • Renewed by Sony A550
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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony A100 Overview

Here is a comprehensive review of the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Sony A100, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Olympus and Sony. There exists a sizable gap between the sensor resolutions of the SZ-16 iHS (16MP) and A100 (10MP) and the SZ-16 iHS (1/2.3") and A100 (APS-C) posses different sensor dimensions.

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The SZ-16 iHS was brought out 6 years later than the A100 and that is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus SZ-16 iHS being a Compact camera and the Sony A100 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the SZ-16 iHS grades versus the A100 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-16 iHS over the Sony A100

 SZ-16 iHS A100 
LaunchedJanuary 2013July 2006Fresher by 79 months
Display size3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A100 over the Olympus SZ-16 iHS

 A100 SZ-16 iHS 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing

Common features in the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Sony A100

 SZ-16 iHS A100 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony A100 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry your camera frequently, you should think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-16 iHS offers 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) while the Sony A100 has dimensions of 133mm x 95mm x 71mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 2.8") with a weight of 638 grams (1.41 lbs).

Compare the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Sony A100 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the SZ-16 iHS and the A100.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony A100 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-16 iHS and A100 is 89 and 64 respectively.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony A100 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony A100 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is hard to imagine the gap between sensor sizing only by reviewing technical specs. The graphic here will help give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-16 iHS and A100.

As you have seen, both cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The SZ-16 iHS because of its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF trickier and the Olympus SZ-16 iHS will offer extra detail having its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos way more aggressively. The newer SZ-16 iHS provides an edge in sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony A100 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony A100 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony A100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Portrait photography info
Sony A100 Portrait photography info
35
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
features face detect focus
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
52
you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no liveview feature
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS as a Street photography camera
Sony A100 as a Street photography camera
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (226g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
64
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Sports photography info
Sony A100 Sports photography info
42
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16MP)
features tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (220 CIPA)
lack of phase detect auto focus
49
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
no liveview feature
slow fps (3.0 fps)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SZ-16 iHS
Travel photography with Sony A100
65
lighter than competition in class (226g)
megapixel count good (16MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
terrible battery life (220 CIPA)
does not feature selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
45
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Landscape photography details
Sony A100 Landscape photography details
41
relatively wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not available
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
terrible battery life (220 shots)
missing Time Lapse mode
53
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
no liveview feature
low megapixels (10MP)
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS as a Vlogging camera
Sony A100 as a Vlogging camera
31
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detect focus
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
does not feature selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing mic port
9
no video
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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony A100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Sony A100
 Olympus SZ-16 iHSSony Alpha DSLR-A100
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus SZ-16 iHS Sony Alpha DSLR-A100
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2013-01-08 2006-07-31
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 3872 x 2592
Highest native ISO 6400 1600
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.0-6.9 -
Available lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.5"
Resolution of screen 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 None
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
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 226g (0.50 lbs) 638g (1.41 lbs)
Physical dimensions 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") 133 x 95 x 71mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 61
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 476
Other
Battery life 220 photos -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID LI-50B NP-FM55H
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Compact Flash (Type I or II)
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $230 $1,000