[Mouton]

I think the Iowa class also had radar something the Bismark did not have. Hands down the Iowa class destroys it unless it runs away IMO.

[Rockingham]

In addition, the Iowa had better fire control and damage control. It would have hit the Bismark hard and likely would have been able to withstand any hits that it might have suffered.

[PAR35]

Bismark had radar.

[mountn man]

The Iowa had FAR superior armor.

More powerful guns

Nine 16" guns vs eight 15"

Heavier shells. 2700 lbs vs 1800 lbs

More speed. 33knts vs 30 knts.

Basically, in every category the Iowa out classed the Bismarck.

A better head to head would have been Iowa vs Yamato

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

I think the Iowa class also had radar something the Bismark did not have.

Fire control radar was decisive in battleship engagements between the U.S. and Japanese navies in World War II. It gave very accurate range to target, and splash detection gave rapid and accurate range and azimuth corrections, besides which U.S. ships, even destroyers, had analog computer fire control systems.

The armament was close to a tie.

The Iowa Class had 9 x 16 inch naval rifles had a 24 mile range, with a rate of fire of 2.0 rpm.

The Bismarck had 8 x 38 cm (15) naval rifles with a 22.7 mile range and 2.5 rpm rate of fire.