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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony QX30

Portability
89
Imaging
40
Features
36
Overall
38
Olympus SZ-16 iHS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30 front
Portability
91
Imaging
45
Features
37
Overall
41

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony QX30 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
  • Launched January 2013
Sony QX30
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • " Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.3) lens
  • 193g - 68 x 65 x 58mm
  • Announced September 2014
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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony QX30 Overview

In this article, we are contrasting the Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony QX30, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Lens-style by companies Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the SZ-16 iHS (16MP) and the QX30 (20MP) is very close and they use the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ-16 iHS was introduced 20 months earlier than the QX30 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SZ-16 iHS being a Compact camera and the Sony QX30 being a Lens-style camera.

Before delving in to a thorough comparison, below is a brief view of how the SZ-16 iHS grades vs the QX30 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-16 iHS over the Sony QX30

 SZ-16 iHS QX30 
Display sizing3""Larger display (+3")
Display resolution460k0kSharper display (+460k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony QX30 over the Olympus SZ-16 iHS

 QX30 SZ-16 iHS 
AnnouncedSeptember 2014January 2013Fresher by 20 months
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Sony QX30

 SZ-16 iHS QX30 
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony QX30 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera frequently, you need to think about its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-16 iHS features physical 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 QX30 has specifications of 68mm x 65mm x 58mm (2.7" x 2.6" x 2.3") with a weight of 193 grams (0.43 lbs).

Check the Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony QX30 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the SZ-16 iHS compared to the QX30.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony QX30 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-16 iHS and QX30 is 89 and 91 respectively.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony QX30 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony QX30 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is hard to envision the difference in sensor sizing purely by looking through a spec sheet. The photograph underneath will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-16 iHS and QX30.

As you can see, both of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Sony QX30 to result in greater detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos a little more aggressively. The older SZ-16 iHS will be behind in sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony QX30 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony QX30 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony QX30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Portrait photography information
Sony QX30 Portrait photography information
35
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
supports face detection autofocus
no manual focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
38
decent MP (20 megapixels)
supports face detection focus
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Street photography advice
Sony QX30 Street photography advice
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average (226g)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
62
image stabilization (Optical)
includes touch to focus
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Sports photography features
Sony QX30 Sports photography features
42
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery (220 per charge)
has no phase detect autofocus
47
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (20MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (200 shots)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS as a Travel photography camera
Sony QX30 as a Travel photography camera
65
lighter than average (226 grams)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
bad battery (220 per charge)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
65
includes touch to focus
decent MP (20MP)
rather wide (24mm)
great zoom (720mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
not so great battery power (200 per charge)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-16 iHS
Landscape photography with Sony QX30
41
rather wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
no manual exposure
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
bad battery (220 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse recording
39
rather wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen ( inches)
no manual exposure
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
not so great battery power (200 per charge)
lack of Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS as a Vlogging camera
Sony QX30 as a Vlogging camera
31
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detection autofocus
lighter than average (226 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic support
35
rather wide (24mm)
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
lack of external microphone support
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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony QX30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Sony QX30
 Olympus SZ-16 iHSSony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model Olympus SZ-16 iHS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Lens-style
Launched 2013-01-08 2014-09-03
Physical type Compact Lens-style
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 5184 x 3888
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.5-6.3
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch -
Resolution of screen 460k dots 0k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in None
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226g (0.50 lb) 193g (0.43 lb)
Dimensions 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") 68 x 65 x 58mm (2.7" x 2.6" x 2.3")
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 photographs 200 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B NP-BN,
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2, 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC, Memory Stick Micro
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $230 $348