Clicky

Canon SX1 IS vs Olympus SZ-12

Portability
64
Imaging
33
Features
53
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX1 IS front
 
Olympus SZ-12 front
Portability
89
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37

Canon SX1 IS vs Olympus SZ-12 Key Specs

Canon SX1 IS
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
  • 615g - 128 x 88 x 88mm
  • Released March 2009
Olympus SZ-12
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
  • Revealed January 2012
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Canon SX1 IS vs Olympus SZ-12 Overview

Below is a detailed review of the Canon SX1 IS versus Olympus SZ-12, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Canon and Olympus. There exists a sizeable gap among the resolutions of the SX1 IS (10MP) and SZ-12 (14MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

The SX1 IS was manufactured 3 years prior to the SZ-12 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Canon SX1 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Olympus SZ-12 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a short summary of how the SX1 IS scores versus the SZ-12 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon SX1 IS over the Olympus SZ-12

 SX1 IS SZ-12 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Canon SX1 IS

 SZ-12 SX1 IS 
RevealedJanuary 2012March 2009More recent by 33 months
Display size3"2.8"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX1 IS and Olympus SZ-12

 SX1 IS SZ-12 
Touch friendly display Neither comes with Touch friendly display

Canon SX1 IS vs Olympus SZ-12 Physical Comparison

If you're going to lug around your camera often, you'll need to factor in its weight and volume. The Canon SX1 IS comes with outer dimensions of 128mm x 88mm x 88mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.5") accompanied by a weight of 615 grams (1.36 lbs) and the Olympus SZ-12 has sizing of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs).

Look at the Canon SX1 IS versus Olympus SZ-12 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are using at that moment. Below is a front view size comparison of the SX1 IS vs the SZ-12.

Canon SX1 IS vs Olympus SZ-12 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX1 IS and SZ-12 is 64 and 89 respectively.

Canon SX1 IS vs Olympus SZ-12 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX1 IS vs Olympus SZ-12 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's hard to visualize the difference in sensor measurements just by researching a spec sheet. The photograph underneath will provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX1 IS and SZ-12.

As you can see, both cameras feature the identical sensor size but different resolution. You should expect to see the Olympus SZ-12 to render more detail due to its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics way more aggressively. The older SX1 IS will be behind in sensor technology.

Canon SX1 IS vs Olympus SZ-12 sensor size comparison

Canon SX1 IS vs Olympus SZ-12 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX1 IS vs Olympus SZ-12 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX1 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus SZ-12 as a Portrait photography camera
46
you can focus manually
great flash sync speed (1/500s)
includes face detection focusing
exports RAW files
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
34
good megapixels (14MP)
offers face detection focusing
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Street Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Street photography advice
Olympus SZ-12 Street photography advice
56
screen articulates
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
heavier than others (615 grams)
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors in class (226g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Sports Comparison

Canon SX1 IS as a Sports photography camera
Olympus SZ-12 as a Sports photography camera
33
great zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow frames per second (4.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
41
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
low fps (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery (220 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect AF
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX1 IS
Travel photography with Olympus SZ-12
52
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
decently wide (28mm)
long zoom (560mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
heavier than others (615 grams)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
65
lighter than competitors in class (226g)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
missing Timelapse mode
not so great battery (220 shots)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Landscape Comparison

Canon SX1 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus SZ-12 as a Landscape photography camera
44
you can focus manually
decently wide (28mm)
screen size is good (2.8 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of Time Lapse mode
40
relatively wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
manual mode not available
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
not so great battery (220 per charge)
missing Timelapse mode
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Vlogging info
Olympus SZ-12 Vlogging info
57
decently wide (28mm)
screen is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
lack of external mic jack
heavier than others (615g)
31
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detection focusing
lighter than competitors in class (226 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone jack
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Canon SX1 IS vs Olympus SZ-12 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX1 IS and Olympus SZ-12
 Canon PowerShot SX1 ISOlympus SZ-12
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Olympus
Model type Canon PowerShot SX1 IS Olympus SZ-12
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2009-03-27 2012-01-10
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 1600 1600
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-560mm (20.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/3.0-6.9
Macro focusing range 0cm -
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.8 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200s 1/1700s
Continuous shooting speed 4.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.20 m -
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/500s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 615 grams (1.36 pounds) 226 grams (0.50 pounds)
Physical dimensions 128 x 88 x 88mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.5") 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 220 images
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery ID - LI-50B
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec or custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/MMC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $600 $350