Canon SX150 IS vs Olympus SZ-12
86 Imaging
37 Features
40 Overall
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89 Imaging
37 Features
36 Overall
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Canon SX150 IS vs Olympus SZ-12 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-336mm (F3.4-5.6) lens
- 306g - 113 x 73 x 46mm
- Announced May 2012
- Earlier Model is Canon SX130 IS
- Later Model is Canon SX160 IS
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
- 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
- Released January 2012

Canon SX150 IS vs Olympus SZ-12 Overview
The following is a in depth review of the Canon SX150 IS vs Olympus SZ-12, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Canon and Olympus. The sensor resolution of the SX150 IS (14MP) and the SZ-12 (14MP) is relatively well matched and they feature the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The SX150 IS was unveiled 5 months after the SZ-12 which means that they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before going through a in-depth comparison, below is a short overview of how the SX150 IS grades vs the SZ-12 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon SX150 IS vs Olympus SZ-12 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SX150 IS and Olympus SZ-12. The full galleries are provided at Canon SX150 IS Gallery and Olympus SZ-12 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX150 IS over the Olympus SZ-12
SX150 IS | SZ-12 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very accurate focus |
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Canon SX150 IS
SZ-12 | SX150 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SX150 IS and Olympus SZ-12
SX150 IS | SZ-12 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | May 2012 | ![]() | January 2012 | Similar generation |
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Absent Touch friendly screen |
Canon SX150 IS vs Olympus SZ-12 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera regularly, you will have to factor its weight and volume. The Canon SX150 IS features physical measurements of 113mm x 73mm x 46mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.8") with a weight of 306 grams (0.67 lbs) while the Olympus SZ-12 has sizing of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs).
Check the Canon SX150 IS vs Olympus SZ-12 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are using at that moment. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the SX150 IS vs the SZ-12.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX150 IS and SZ-12 is 86 and 89 respectively.

Canon SX150 IS vs Olympus SZ-12 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it's difficult to visualise the gap between sensor dimensions purely by checking a spec sheet. The pic below will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SX150 IS and SZ-12.
As you can see, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same megapixels therefore you should expect similar quality of images although you would want to factor the release date of the products into consideration.

Canon SX150 IS vs Olympus SZ-12 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX150 IS vs Olympus SZ-12 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX150 IS | Olympus SZ-12 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Canon | Olympus |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX150 IS | Olympus SZ-12 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Announced | 2012-05-14 | 2012-01-10 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Digic 4 | - |
Sensor type | CCD | 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 | 14 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 3:2 | - |
Maximum resolution | 4320 x 3240 | 4288 x 3216 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 1600 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 1 | - |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-336mm (12.0x) | 25-600mm (24.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.4-5.6 | f/3.0-6.9 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | - |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of screen | 230 thousand dot | 460 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Screen tech | - | TFT Color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 15 secs | 4 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2500 secs | 1/1700 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 1.0 frames per second | 1.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.00 m | - |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 160 x 120 (15 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | 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 | 306g (0.67 pounds) | 226g (0.50 pounds) |
Dimensions | 113 x 73 x 46mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.8") | 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 | 130 shots | 220 shots |
Style of battery | AA | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | 2 x AA | LI-50B |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Price at launch | $249 | $350 |