Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony A35

Lets look more closely at the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Sony A35, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SZ-16 iHS (16MP) and the A35 (16MP) is fairly similar but the SZ-16 iHS (1/2.3") and A35 (APS-C) offer different sensor dimensions.

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The SZ-16 iHS was revealed 16 months after the A35 making them a generation away from one another. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus SZ-16 iHS being a Compact camera and the Sony A35 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go right into a in-depth comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the SZ-16 iHS scores versus the A35 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Sony SLT-A35. The full galleries are viewable at Olympus SZ-16 iHS Gallery and Sony A35 Gallery.

If you're intending to travel with your camera often, you will need to think about its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-16 iHS enjoys outside dimensions 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 A35 has specifications of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") having a weight of 415 grams (0.91 lbs).

Compare the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Sony A35 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you choose at the time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the SZ-16 iHS and the A35.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ-16 iHS and A35 is 89 and 69 respectively.

Typically, it's tough to picture the gap between sensor dimensions only by going over specs. The picture underneath should give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-16 iHS and A35.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras have the same megapixel count but different sensor dimensions. The SZ-16 iHS includes the tinier sensor which is going to make achieving shallower DOF tougher. The more recent SZ-16 iHS should have an edge with regard to sensor technology.