Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony A500
89 Imaging
40 Features
36 Overall
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63 Imaging
52 Features
52 Overall
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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony A500 Key Specs
(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
- Introduced January 2013
(Full Review)
- 12MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
- Launched August 2009
- New Model is Sony A560
Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony A500 Overview
Here is a comprehensive comparison of the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Sony A500, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Olympus and Sony. There exists a substantial gap between the sensor resolutions of the SZ-16 iHS (16MP) and A500 (12MP) and the SZ-16 iHS (1/2.3") and A500 (APS-C) enjoy different sensor size.
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhoneThe SZ-16 iHS was manufactured 3 years later than the A500 and that is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SZ-16 iHS being a Compact camera and the Sony A500 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before we go in to a full comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the SZ-16 iHS scores against the A500 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony A500 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus SZ-16 iHS & Sony Alpha DSLR-A500. The entire galleries are viewable at Olympus SZ-16 iHS Gallery & Sony A500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-16 iHS over the Sony A500
SZ-16 iHS | A500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | January 2013 | August 2009 | Fresher by 41 months | |
Display resolution | 460k | 230k | Clearer display (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Olympus SZ-16 iHS
A500 | SZ-16 iHS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | Very precise focusing | |||
Display type | Tilting | Fixed | Tilting display |
Common features in the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Sony A500
SZ-16 iHS | A500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display sizing | 3" | 3" | Equivalent display size | |
Selfie screen | Neither includes selfie screen | |||
Touch friendly display | Absent Touch friendly display |
Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony A500 Physical Comparison
If you are looking to carry your camera often, you have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-16 iHS features exterior measurements of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Sony A500 has dimensions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") having a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs).
See the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Sony A500 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you choose during that time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the SZ-16 iHS compared to the A500.
Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-16 iHS and A500 is 89 and 63 respectively.
Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony A500 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is very hard to visualize the difference between sensor sizing only by checking a spec sheet. The graphic here might offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-16 iHS and A500.
As you can see, both of those cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The SZ-16 iHS because of its tinier sensor is going to make achieving bokeh harder and the Olympus SZ-16 iHS will give you greater detail due to its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos a little more aggressively. The more recent SZ-16 iHS provides an advantage with regard to sensor tech.
Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony A500 Specifications
Olympus SZ-16 iHS | Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Olympus | Sony |
Model | Olympus SZ-16 iHS | Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Entry-Level DSLR |
Introduced | 2013-01-08 | 2009-08-27 |
Body design | Compact | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4272 x 2848 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 200 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | - | 9 |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Lens focal range | 25-600mm (24.0x) | - |
Maximum aperture | f/3.0-6.9 | - |
Total lenses | - | 143 |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display size | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of display | 460k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Display technology | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 95 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.53x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 4s | 30s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shutter speed | 2.0 frames per second | 5.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | - | 12.00 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | - | 1/160s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) | - |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | None |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | - |
Mic 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 | 226 grams (0.50 lbs) | 630 grams (1.39 lbs) |
Dimensions | 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") | 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | 64 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 21.8 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 11.6 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 772 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 220 photos | 520 photos |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | LI-50B | NP-FM500H |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Pricing at release | $230 | $638 |