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Canon SX150 IS vs Olympus SZ-12

Portability
86
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX150 IS front
 
Olympus SZ-12 front
Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36

Canon SX150 IS vs Olympus SZ-12 Key Specs

Canon SX150 IS
(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
Olympus SZ-12
(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
Photography Glossary

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").

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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.

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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 resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX150 IS and Olympus SZ-12

 SX150 IS SZ-12 
ReleasedMay 2012January 2012Similar generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SX150 IS vs Olympus SZ-12 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SX150 IS vs Olympus SZ-12 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX150 IS vs Olympus SZ-12 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX150 IS Portrait photography features
Olympus SZ-12 Portrait photography features
42
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (14MP)
comes with face detect autofocus
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
33
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
comes with face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX150 IS Street photography factors
Olympus SZ-12 Street photography factors
59
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (306g)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (226g)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX150 IS Sports photography factors
Olympus SZ-12 Sports photography factors
39
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
comes with tracking focus
low fps (1.0 frames/s)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery (130 per charge)
lack of phase detect autofocus
40
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery (220 shots)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX150 IS
Travel photography with Olympus SZ-12
64
lighter than competition (306 grams)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
long zoom (336mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
terrible battery (130 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
65
lighter than competition in class (226g)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
terrible battery (220 per charge)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX150 IS Landscape photography highlights
Olympus SZ-12 Landscape photography highlights
46
focusing manually
really wide (28mm)
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
terrible battery (130 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
40
really wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual exposure
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
terrible battery (220 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX150 IS Vlogging features
Olympus SZ-12 Vlogging features
30
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect autofocus
lighter than competition (306g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic port
31
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detection autofocus
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone jack
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Canon SX150 IS vs Olympus SZ-12 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX150 IS and Olympus SZ-12
 Canon PowerShot SX150 ISOlympus 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