Olympus is one of the more active player in the long-zoom digital camera market and the company is back with two new models, the STYLUS SZ-16 iHS and STYLUS SZ-15 that will ship later this month. While both of them are equipped with a 24x optical zoom lens with 25mm wide angle, the former is a more advanced model that “provides a level of imaging performance that feels like a DSLR”, and the latter includes many of the same features at a more affordable price.

Olympus STYLUS SZ-16 iHS
The SZ-16 iHS packs a 16 Megapixel High-Sensitivity CMOS sensor and DSLR-grade TruePIC V image processor to deliver optimal image quality with less noise, even in low-light conditions and backlit scenes. As its name tells, the camera includes iHS (Intelligent, High-Sensitivity and High-Speed) Technology for great low-light performance, fast auto focus and enhanced intelligent Auto. Its HDR Backlight Adjustment will take several images at various exposure levels and combined them into a perfectly exposed image, and the Hand-held Starlight mode will perform similar function for night scenes. The more affordable STYLUS SZ-15, instead, uses a 16 Megapixel CCD sensor and TruePic III+ image engine.

Olympus STYLUS SZ-16 iHS
Both long-zoom camera feature Dual Image Stabilization that combines Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization with high ISO sensitivity to deliver blur-free images, and the Super Resolution Zoom that will extend the zoom range to 48x. The SZ-15 supports 100-1600 ISO, while the SZ-16 has a wider ISO range of 100 – 6400. The SZ-16 is capable of Full HD 1080p video recording and includes Multi-Motion Movie Image Stabilization for recording blur-free videos. Other common features include Intelligent Auto mode, Scene Modes, Shadow Adjustment technology, Face Detection, 11 Magic Filters, Beauty Make-up mode and Smart Panorama. You can find HDMI putput
Olympus‘s new cameras both have a 3-inch LCD display and provides HDMI output. The SZ-16 iHS (black, silver) and SZ-15 (black, silver, red) will be released on 31 March for $229.99 and $199.99, respectively.

Olympus STYLUS SZ-16 iHS

Olympus STYLUS SZ-16 iHS

Olympus STYLUS SZ-15

Olympus STYLUS SZ-15

Olympus STYLUS SZ-15

Olympus STYLUS SZ-15

Olympus STYLUS SZ-15