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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony WX500

Portability
89 Imaging
40 Features
36 Overall
38
Olympus SZ-16 iHS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500 front
Portability
91 Imaging
43 Features
56 Overall
48

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony WX500 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
  • Launched January 2013
Sony WX500
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 236g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Revealed April 2015
  • Succeeded the Sony WX350
Photography Glossary

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony WX500 Overview

Following is a in depth analysis of the Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony WX500, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SZ-16 iHS (16MP) and the WX500 (18MP) is very comparable and both cameras offer the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ-16 iHS was announced 3 years earlier than the WX500 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a detailed comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the SZ-16 iHS scores against the WX500 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-16 iHS over the Sony WX500

		

		

			
 SZ-16 iHS WX500 
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Sony WX500 over the Olympus SZ-16 iHS

		

		

			
 WX500 SZ-16 iHS 
RevealedApril 2015January 2013More modern by 27 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution921k460kSharper display (+461k dot)
		

	

	
	

		

		
Common features in the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Sony WX500

		

		

			
 SZ-16 iHS WX500 
Focus manually  Lack of manual focus
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Selfie screen  Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly display  Lacking Touch friendly display
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony WX500 Physical Comparison

		

		

			
If you're planning to carry around your camera regularly, you will have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-16 iHS offers external 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 WX500 has dimensions of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") with a weight of 236 grams (0.52 lbs).
See the Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony WX500 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are using at that time. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the SZ-16 iHS compared to the WX500.
Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony WX500 size comparison
Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-16 iHS and WX500 is 89 and 91 respectively.
Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony WX500 top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony WX500 Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
Often, it is very difficult to see the difference in sensor sizes only by going through specs. The image underneath will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-16 iHS and WX500.
As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Sony WX500 to produce extra detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images more aggressively. The more aged SZ-16 iHS will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.
	
			Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony WX500 sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony WX500 Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony WX500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
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Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
Olympus SZ-16 iHS Portrait photography features
Sony WX500 Portrait photography features
35
 megapixel count decent (16MP)
 has face detect autofocus
 manual focus not available
 manual exposure not possible
 external flash not possible
 very small sensor size (1/2.3")
 lack of RAW support
39
 good megapixels (18 megapixels)
 comes with face detect autofocus
 focusing manually not possible
 cannot use external flash
 small sensor size (1/2.3")
 lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison
Olympus SZ-16 iHS Street photography features
Sony WX500 Street photography features
61
 has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
 lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
 no articulating screen
 very small sensor size (1/2.3")
 lack of RAW support
69
 tilting screen
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 lighter than competition in class (236 grams)
 small sensor size (1/2.3")
 lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison
 Olympus SZ-16 iHS as a Sports photography camera
 Sony WX500 as a Sports photography camera
42
 excellent zoom range (25-600mm  24.0 x zoom)
 has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
 megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
 has tracking focus
 max fps low (2.0 frames per second)
 no shutter priority
 very small sensor size (1/2.3")
 not so great battery power (220 shots)
 lack of phase detect autofocus
57
 amazing zoom range (24-720mm  30.0 x zoom)
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 good megapixels (18MP)
 comes with tracking focus
 good battery power (360 CIPA)
 small sensor size (1/2.3")
 lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison
Travel photography with Olympus SZ-16 iHS
Travel photography with Sony WX500
65
 lighter than competition in class (226g)
 megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
 built-in flash
 rather wide (25mm)
 very long zoom (600mm)
 doesn't have Time Lapse mode
 not so great battery power (220 per charge)
 doesn't have selfie friendly screen
 sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
71
 good battery power (360 CIPA)
 lighter than competition in class (236 grams)
 good megapixels (18MP)
 flash built-in
 fairly wide (24mm)
 very long reach (720mm)
 missing Timelapse function
 display is not selfie friendly
 slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison
Olympus SZ-16 iHS Landscape photography info
Sony WX500 Landscape photography info
41
 rather wide (25mm)
 screen size is good (3 inch)
 has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
 megapixel count decent (16MP)
 manual focus not available
 cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
 sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
 manual exposure not possible
 very small sensor size (1/2.3")
 lack of RAW support
 not so great battery power (220 CIPA)
 doesn't have Time Lapse mode
49
 fairly wide (24mm)
 good sized screen (3 inch)
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 good megapixels (18MP)
 good battery power (360 per charge)
 focusing manually not possible
 can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
 slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
 small sensor size (1/2.3")
 lacks RAW format
 missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison
Olympus SZ-16 iHS Vlogging details
Sony WX500 Vlogging details
31
 rather wide (25mm)
 has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
 has face detect autofocus
 lighter than competition in class (226g)
 sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
 doesn't have selfie friendly screen
 video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
 doesn't have mic jack
35
 fairly wide (24mm)
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 comes with face detect autofocus
 high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
 lighter than competition in class (236g)
 slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
 display is not selfie friendly
 missing microphone port
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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony WX500 Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Sony WX500
 Olympus SZ-16 iHSSony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus SZ-16 iHS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2013-01-08 2015-04-14
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - 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 area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti alias filter    
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures    
Autofocusing
Focus manually    
Touch to focus    
Continuous autofocus    
Single autofocus    
Autofocus tracking    
Autofocus selectice    
Autofocus center weighted    
Autofocus multi area    
Live view autofocus    
Face detect focus    
Contract detect focus    
Phase detect focus    
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Max aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.5-6.4
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch capability    
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Expose Manually    
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance    
Image stabilization    
Built-in flash    
Flash distance - 5.40 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear 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) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone jack    
Headphone jack    
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
Environment seal    
Water proofing    
Dust proofing    
Shock proofing    
Crush proofing    
Freeze proofing    
Weight 226 gr (0.50 lbs) 236 gr (0.52 lbs)
Physical dimensions 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 photos 360 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes
Time lapse feature    
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing $230 $348