Clicky

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony HX9V

Portability
89
Imaging
40
Features
36
Overall
38
Olympus SZ-16 iHS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
46
Overall
41

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony HX9V Key Specs

Olympus SZ-16 iHS
(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
  • Announced January 2013
Sony HX9V
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 245g - 105 x 59 x 34mm
  • Released July 2011
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony HX9V Overview

Here, we will be comparing the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Sony HX9V, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by rivals Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the SZ-16 iHS (16MP) and the HX9V (16MP) is pretty similar and both cameras boast the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

The SZ-16 iHS was introduced 18 months after the HX9V which makes them a generation away from one another. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple summary of how the SZ-16 iHS grades against the HX9V with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-16 iHS over the Sony HX9V

 SZ-16 iHS HX9V 
ReleasedJanuary 2013July 2011More modern by 18 months

Reasons to pick Sony HX9V over the Olympus SZ-16 iHS

 HX9V SZ-16 iHS 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Screen resolution921k460kClearer screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Sony HX9V

 SZ-16 iHS HX9V 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony HX9V Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-16 iHS has got physical dimensions 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 HX9V has measurements of 105mm x 59mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

See the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Sony HX9V in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the SZ-16 iHS versus the HX9V.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony HX9V size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-16 iHS and HX9V is 89 and 91 respectively.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony HX9V top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony HX9V Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's hard to see the gap between sensor sizes merely by reviewing specs. The picture below will provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-16 iHS and HX9V.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras feature the identical sensor size and the identical MP therefore you can expect similar quality of pictures but you will want to take the age of the products into consideration. The younger SZ-16 iHS is going to have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony HX9V sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony HX9V Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony HX9V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-16 iHS
Portrait photography with Sony HX9V
35
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
39
manual focus
good MP (16MP)
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS as a Street photography camera
Sony HX9V as a Street photography camera
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average (226 grams)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (245 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SZ-16 iHS
Sports photography with Sony HX9V
42
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16MP)
has tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery (220 per charge)
lacks phase detect AF
44
amazing zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Travel photography details
Sony HX9V Travel photography details
65
lighter than average (226 grams)
MP count good (16MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
bad battery (220 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
69
lighter than competitors in class (245g)
good MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (24mm)
very long zoom (384mm)
missing Time Lapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Landscape photography features
Sony HX9V Landscape photography features
41
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
no manual control
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
bad battery (220 per charge)
missing Time Lapse recording
49
manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
missing Time Lapse function
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Vlogging information
Sony HX9V Vlogging information
31
fairly wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect focusing
lighter than average (226g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic port
33
decently wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors in class (245g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing external mic socket
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony HX9V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Sony HX9V
 Olympus SZ-16 iHSSony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model Olympus SZ-16 iHS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2013-01-08 2011-07-19
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.3-5.9
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT Color LCD XtraFine LCD display with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 4.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1920 x 1080 (60fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226 gr (0.50 lb) 245 gr (0.54 lb)
Physical dimensions 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") 105 x 59 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 220 pictures -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model LI-50B NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $230 $328