Canon SX50 HS vs Olympus SZ-12
65 Imaging
36 Features
55 Overall
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89 Imaging
37 Features
36 Overall
36
Canon SX50 HS vs Olympus SZ-12 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Canon SX50 HS vs Olympus SZ-12 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SX50 HS and Olympus SZ-12. The complete galleries are provided at Canon SX50 HS Gallery and Olympus SZ-12 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX50 HS over the Olympus SZ-12
SX50 HS | SZ-12 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | January 2013 | ![]() | January 2012 | Fresher by 13 months |
Manual focus | ![]() | More precise focusing | ||
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Screen resolution | 461k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper screen (+1k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Canon SX50 HS
SZ-12 | SX50 HS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX50 HS vs Olympus SZ-12 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX50 HS | Olympus 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 |