Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony NEX-5R

Below is a extended assessment of the Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony NEX-5R, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the SZ-16 iHS (16MP) and the NEX-5R (16MP) is pretty comparable but the SZ-16 iHS (1/2.3") and NEX-5R (APS-C) posses totally different sensor size.

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The SZ-16 iHS was unveiled 5 months later than the NEX-5R and they are both of a similar age. Both cameras feature different body design with the Olympus SZ-16 iHS being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-5R being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting right into a in-depth comparison, here is a simple view of how the SZ-16 iHS grades against the NEX-5R in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

This is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus SZ-16 iHS & Sony Alpha NEX-5R. The full galleries are viewable at Olympus SZ-16 iHS Gallery & Sony NEX-5R Gallery.

For anyone who is going to lug around your camera regularly, you'll have to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-16 iHS provides external dimensions of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") and a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Sony NEX-5R has measurements of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).

Examine the Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony NEX-5R in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are using at the time. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the SZ-16 iHS versus the NEX-5R.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-16 iHS and NEX-5R is 89 and 89 respectively.

Normally, it's difficult to envision the contrast in sensor measurements simply by going through a spec sheet. The photograph underneath should give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-16 iHS and NEX-5R.

Clearly, both of these cameras feature the identical megapixel count albeit not the same sensor measurements. The SZ-16 iHS provides the smaller sensor which is going to make obtaining bokeh harder.