Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony A57

Here is a in-depth review of the Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony A57, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SZ-16 iHS (16MP) and the A57 (16MP) is fairly well matched but the SZ-16 iHS (1/2.3") and A57 (APS-C) posses totally different sensor sizing.

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The SZ-16 iHS was released 4 months later than the A57 and they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus SZ-16 iHS being a Compact camera and the Sony A57 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving right into a complete comparison, here is a quick overview of how the SZ-16 iHS matches up versus the A57 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Sony SLT-A57. The complete galleries are viewable at Olympus SZ-16 iHS Gallery and Sony A57 Gallery.

If you're looking to carry your camera regularly, you will have to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-16 iHS has outside measurements of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") along with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Sony A57 has proportions of 132mm x 98mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2") with a weight of 618 grams (1.36 lbs).

Look at the Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony A57 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the SZ-16 iHS vs the A57.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-16 iHS and A57 is 89 and 64 respectively.

Quite often, it is difficult to envision the contrast between sensor sizing only by checking specifications. The photograph below should give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-16 iHS and A57.

To sum up, both of those cameras provide the same megapixels but not the same sensor sizing. The SZ-16 iHS comes with the tinier sensor which will make achieving shallow DOF harder.