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Canon SX50 HS vs Olympus SZ-12

Portability
65
Imaging
36
Features
55
Overall
43
Canon PowerShot SX50 HS front
 
Olympus SZ-12 front
Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36

Canon SX50 HS vs Olympus SZ-12 Key Specs

Canon SX50 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F3.4-6.5) lens
  • 595g - 123 x 87 x 106mm
  • Revealed January 2013
  • Earlier Model is Canon SX40 HS
  • Refreshed by Canon SX60 HS
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
  • Introduced January 2012
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Canon SX50 HS vs Olympus SZ-12 Overview

Let's take a closer look at the Canon SX50 HS and Olympus SZ-12, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Canon and Olympus. The image resolution of the SX50 HS (12MP) and the SZ-12 (14MP) is relatively comparable and they use the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX50 HS was launched 13 months later than the SZ-12 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both cameras come with different body type with the Canon SX50 HS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Olympus SZ-12 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief overview of how the SX50 HS grades versus the SZ-12 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX50 HS over the Olympus SZ-12

 SX50 HS SZ-12 
IntroducedJanuary 2013January 2012Fresher by 13 months
Manual focus More precise focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution461k460kSharper screen (+1k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Canon SX50 HS

 SZ-12 SX50 HS 
Screen dimension3"2.8"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Canon SX50 HS and Olympus SZ-12

 SX50 HS SZ-12 
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Canon SX50 HS vs Olympus SZ-12 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry your camera, you should consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX50 HS features outer measurements of 123mm x 87mm x 106mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 4.2") with a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs) whilst the Olympus SZ-12 has dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") along with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs).

Contrast the Canon SX50 HS and Olympus SZ-12 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Underneath is the front view over all size comparison of the SX50 HS versus the SZ-12.

Canon SX50 HS vs Olympus SZ-12 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the SX50 HS and SZ-12 is 65 and 89 respectively.

Canon SX50 HS vs Olympus SZ-12 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX50 HS vs Olympus SZ-12 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its hard to envision the contrast in sensor sizing purely by going through technical specs. The graphic underneath will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the SX50 HS and SZ-12.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Olympus SZ-12 to show extra detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots much more aggressively. The newer SX50 HS will have an edge in sensor technology.

Canon SX50 HS vs Olympus SZ-12 sensor size comparison

Canon SX50 HS vs Olympus SZ-12 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX50 HS vs Olympus SZ-12 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX50 HS Portrait photography information
Olympus SZ-12 Portrait photography information
48
focusing manually
high flash sync (1/2,000s)
comes with face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
33
megapixel count decent (14MP)
supports face detection autofocus
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX50 HS Street photography details
Olympus SZ-12 Street photography details
57
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
heavier than others (595 grams)
60
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors in class (226g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX50 HS Sports photography info
Olympus SZ-12 Sports photography info
39
long zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking focus
max frames per second low (2.0 fps)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
40
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
max fps low (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery (220 shots)
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX50 HS
Travel photography with Olympus SZ-12
53
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
quite wide (24mm)
very long zoom (1200mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
heavier than others (595g)
low MP (12 megapixels)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
65
lighter than competitors in class (226 grams)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
no Timelapse recording
terrible battery (220 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX50 HS Landscape photography info
Olympus SZ-12 Landscape photography info
45
focusing manually
quite wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (2.8 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have Time Lapse function
40
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual exposure
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
terrible battery (220 per charge)
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX50 HS Vlogging information
Olympus SZ-12 Vlogging information
58
quite wide (24mm)
selfie friendly screen
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
does not have mic support
heavier than others (595g)
31
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detection autofocus
lighter than competitors in class (226g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external microphone jack
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Canon SX50 HS vs Olympus SZ-12 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX50 HS and Olympus SZ-12
 Canon PowerShot SX50 HSOlympus SZ-12
General Information
Company Canon Olympus
Model type Canon PowerShot SX50 HS Olympus SZ-12
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2013-01-15 2012-01-10
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 5 -
Sensor type BSI-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 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 6400 1600
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-1200mm (50.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.4-6.5 f/3.0-6.9
Macro focusing distance 0cm -
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.8 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 461k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 202k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1700 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.50 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Second Curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/2000 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format 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 595 gr (1.31 lb) 226 gr (0.50 lb)
Dimensions 123 x 87 x 106mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 4.2") 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 47 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 20.3 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.2 not tested
DXO Low light rating 179 not tested
Other
Battery life 315 pictures 220 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-10L LI-50B
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $429 $350