Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony A77 II

On this page, we are reviewing the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Sony A77 II, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Advanced DSLR by companies Olympus and Sony. There is a big difference among the image resolutions of the SZ-16 iHS (16MP) and A77 II (24MP) and the SZ-16 iHS (1/2.3") and A77 II (APS-C) boast different sensor measurements.

Photography Glossary

The SZ-16 iHS was announced 16 months earlier than the A77 II making them a generation apart from each other. Both cameras have different body design with the Olympus SZ-16 iHS being a Compact camera and the Sony A77 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go right into a in-depth comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the SZ-16 iHS grades against the A77 II in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Sony SLT-A77 II. The whole galleries are available at Olympus SZ-16 iHS Gallery and Sony A77 II Gallery.

If you are planning to carry your camera regularly, you'll have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-16 iHS has got outside dimensions of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") having a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Sony A77 II has dimensions of 143mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") with a weight of 647 grams (1.43 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Sony A77 II in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the SZ-16 iHS versus the A77 II.

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-16 iHS and A77 II is 89 and 62 respectively.

Usually, it is very difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing only by researching specifications. The photograph underneath should give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-16 iHS and A77 II.

To sum up, both of the cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The SZ-16 iHS with its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF harder and the Sony A77 II will provide you with more detail with its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop pics a bit more aggressively. The older SZ-16 iHS will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.