• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Olympus SZ-16 advantages over Panasonic G7

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Thinner
    39 mm vs 77 mm
    Thinner
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Panasonic G7 advantages over Olympus SZ-16

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.77 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 360 vs 270 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1037k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.1 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    240 vs 3 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Buy the Olympus SZ-16

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Buy the Panasonic G7
Kit with 14-42mm Lens (Silver)
  • Kit with 14-42mm Lens (Silver)
  • Kit with 14-140mm Lens (Black)
  • Kit with 14-42mm Lens (Black)
All G7 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Compact and lightweight for a fully-featured interchangeable-lens camera; Really fast autofocus; Good all-around performance too; Generous buffer depth; Versatile tilt/swivel LCD and high-res viewfinder; Touch-screen controls; Very affordable pricetag

  • Out of the box, colors are muted by consumer standards; Warm white balance under incandescent light; Handgrip is a little shallow for those with larger hands; Wi-Fi is overly complex and has limited range

  • Read our Panasonic G7 Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus SZ-12

Olympus SZ-16
Olympus SZ-12
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $128
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bulb shutter

Compare Olympus SZ-16 vs Olympus SZ-12

Panasonic G7
Olympus SZ-12
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $128
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner

Compare Panasonic G7 vs Olympus SZ-12

Compared to Pentax VS20

Olympus SZ-16
Pentax VS20
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • HDMI out
  • $106
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Olympus SZ-16 vs Pentax VS20

Panasonic G7
Pentax VS20
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $106
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner

Compare Panasonic G7 vs Pentax VS20

Compared to Olympus SZ-15

Olympus SZ-16
Olympus SZ-15
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • Longer exposure
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Olympus SZ-16 vs Olympus SZ-15

Panasonic G7
Olympus SZ-15
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner

Compare Panasonic G7 vs Olympus SZ-15

Compared to Panasonic G6

Olympus SZ-16
Panasonic G6
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking

Compare Olympus SZ-16 vs Panasonic G6

Panasonic G7
Panasonic G6
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • NFC

Compare Panasonic G7 vs Panasonic G6

Compared to Olympus E-M1 II

Olympus SZ-16
Olympus E-M1 II
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Internal flash
  • Thinner
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Olympus SZ-16 vs Olympus E-M1 II

Panasonic G7
Olympus E-M1 II
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite

Compare Panasonic G7 vs Olympus E-M1 II

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