Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony RX100 V

Its time to take a more detailed look at the Olympus SZ-16 iHS versus Sony RX100 V, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the SZ-16 iHS (16MP) and the RX100 V (20MP) is relatively close but the SZ-16 iHS (1/2.3") and RX100 V (1") use totally different sensor dimensions.

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The SZ-16 iHS was brought out 4 years earlier than the RX100 V and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SZ-16 iHS being a Compact camera and the Sony RX100 V being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before we go straight into a full comparison, below is a short view of how the SZ-16 iHS matches up versus the RX100 V in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V. The entire galleries are available at Olympus SZ-16 iHS Gallery and Sony RX100 V Gallery.

For anybody who is looking to carry your camera, you will have to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-16 iHS has outer measurements of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Sony RX100 V has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") along with a weight of 299 grams (0.66 lbs).

Check out the Olympus SZ-16 iHS versus Sony RX100 V in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are using at that time. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the SZ-16 iHS vs the RX100 V.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-16 iHS and RX100 V is 89 and 89 respectively.

Quite often, it is hard to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing purely by researching a spec sheet. The photograph underneath should provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-16 iHS and RX100 V.

Clearly, both of those cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The SZ-16 iHS because of its smaller sensor will make achieving shallower DOF more challenging and the Sony RX100 V will result in more detail having its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The older SZ-16 iHS will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.