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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony S980

Portability
89
Imaging
40
Features
36
Overall
38
Olympus SZ-16 iHS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony S980 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
  • Introduced January 2013
Sony S980
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Launched February 2009
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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony S980 Overview

On this page, we are reviewing the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Sony S980, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. There exists a sizable gap between the resolutions of the SZ-16 iHS (16MP) and S980 (12MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SZ-16 iHS was launched 3 years after the S980 which is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the SZ-16 iHS grades against the S980 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-16 iHS over the Sony S980

 SZ-16 iHS S980 
LaunchedJanuary 2013February 2009More modern by 48 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Olympus SZ-16 iHS

 S980 SZ-16 iHS 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing

Common features in the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Sony S980

 SZ-16 iHS S980 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry around your camera regularly, you need to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-16 iHS provides exterior measurements of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Sony S980 has specifications of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Look at the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Sony S980 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you choose at the time. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the SZ-16 iHS against the S980.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony S980 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-16 iHS and S980 is 89 and 94 respectively.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be tough to imagine the contrast between sensor sizes simply by reading through specifications. The picture underneath will help give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-16 iHS and S980.

To sum up, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You can anticipate the Olympus SZ-16 iHS to resolve more detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics a bit more aggressively. The more recent SZ-16 iHS provides a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-16 iHS
Portrait photography with Sony S980
35
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
has face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
27
manual focus
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Street photography details
Sony S980 Street photography details
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (226g)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
47
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SZ-16 iHS
Sports photography with Sony S980
42
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
max fps low (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (220 per charge)
lacks phase detect autofocus
17
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SZ-16 iHS
Travel photography with Sony S980
65
lighter than competition in class (226g)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
not so great battery power (220 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
51
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse recording
resolution not great (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Landscape photography factors
Sony S980 Landscape photography factors
41
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not available
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
not so great battery power (220 shots)
does not have Time Lapse function
27
manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inch)
lack of manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS as a Vlogging camera
Sony S980 as a Vlogging camera
31
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detection autofocus
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic port
22
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone jack
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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Sony S980
 Olympus SZ-16 iHSSony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus SZ-16 iHS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2013-01-08 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
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 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing distance - 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 2 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226 grams (0.50 lbs) 167 grams (0.37 lbs)
Physical dimensions 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 220 images -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $230 $300