Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony a5100

Here, we are comparing the Olympus SZ-16 iHS versus Sony a5100, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Olympus and Sony. There is a noticeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the SZ-16 iHS (16MP) and a5100 (24MP) and the SZ-16 iHS (1/2.3") and a5100 (APS-C) provide different sensor measurements.

Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

The SZ-16 iHS was unveiled 19 months earlier than the a5100 making them a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus SZ-16 iHS being a Compact camera and the Sony a5100 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting straight to a detailed comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the SZ-16 iHS matches up against the a5100 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus SZ-16 iHS & Sony Alpha a5100. The full galleries are provided at Olympus SZ-16 iHS Gallery & Sony a5100 Gallery.

For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera regularly, you're going to have to consider its weight and volume. The Olympus SZ-16 iHS features external measurements 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 a5100 has sizing of 110mm x 63mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 283 grams (0.62 lbs).

See the Olympus SZ-16 iHS versus Sony a5100 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are working with during that time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the SZ-16 iHS compared to the a5100.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-16 iHS and a5100 is 89 and 89 respectively.

Usually, it is very hard to picture the gap in sensor dimensions just by seeing specs. The pic underneath will give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-16 iHS and a5100.

All in all, both cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The SZ-16 iHS with its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field more difficult and the Sony a5100 will show more detail having an extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos way more aggressively. The more aged SZ-16 iHS will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.