Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony RX100 VI

Here, we will be evaluating the Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony RX100 VI, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the SZ-16 iHS (16MP) and the RX100 VI (20MP) is pretty comparable but the SZ-16 iHS (1/2.3") and RX100 VI (1") have totally different sensor dimensions.

Photography Glossary

The SZ-16 iHS was brought out 6 years before the RX100 VI and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus SZ-16 iHS being a Compact camera and the Sony RX100 VI being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before delving into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the SZ-16 iHS scores versus the RX100 VI when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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

If you are aiming to lug around your camera often, you are going to need to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-16 iHS comes with 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) whilst the Sony RX100 VI has proportions of 102mm x 58mm x 43mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.7") with a weight of 301 grams (0.66 lbs).

Check the Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony RX100 VI in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have at the time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the SZ-16 iHS versus the RX100 VI.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-16 iHS and RX100 VI is 89 and 88 respectively.

Usually, it is very hard to envision the gap in sensor measurements purely by checking out technical specs. The visual below will help offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-16 iHS and RX100 VI.

As you can tell, both of these cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The SZ-16 iHS due to its smaller sensor will make getting shallower DOF more difficult and the Sony RX100 VI will show extra detail having its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots way more aggressively. The older SZ-16 iHS will be behind in sensor technology.