• APS-C 365.0mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Sony A35 advantages over Olympus SZ-16

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C 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
    ~ 4.76 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • 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
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 420 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
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    30 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
    5.5 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    12 vs 3 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 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

Olympus SZ-16 advantages over Sony A35

  • Less expensive
    $230 vs $700 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Thinner
    39 mm vs 84 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Your purchases support this site

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony A55

Sony A35
Sony A55
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in GPS
Olympus SZ-16
Sony A55
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Sony A33

Sony A35
Sony A33
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Faster JPEG shooting
Olympus SZ-16
Sony A33
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Olympus SZ-12

Sony A35
Olympus SZ-12
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $128
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
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

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Sony A35
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Olympus SZ-16
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Olympus SZ-15

Sony A35
Olympus SZ-15
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
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 Other Cameras?