Clicky

Canon SX730 HS vs Olympus SZ-12

Portability
88
Imaging
47
Features
59
Overall
51
Canon PowerShot SX730 HS front
 
Olympus SZ-12 front
Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36

Canon SX730 HS vs Olympus SZ-12 Key Specs

Canon SX730 HS
(Full Review)
  • 20.3MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-960mm (F3.3-6.9) lens
  • 300g - 110 x 64 x 40mm
  • Revealed April 2017
  • Older Model is Canon SX720 HS
  • New Model is Canon SX740 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
  • Released January 2012
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Canon SX730 HS vs Olympus SZ-12 Overview

Here is a in-depth analysis of the Canon SX730 HS and Olympus SZ-12, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by brands Canon and Olympus. There is a noticeable difference between the image resolutions of the SX730 HS (20.3MP) and SZ-12 (14MP) but they possess the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

The SX730 HS was manufactured 5 years later than the SZ-12 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the SX730 HS grades vs the SZ-12 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon SX730 HS over the Olympus SZ-12

 SX730 HS SZ-12 
ReleasedApril 2017January 2012Fresher by 64 months
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution922k460kCrisper screen (+462k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Canon SX730 HS

 SZ-12 SX730 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX730 HS and Olympus SZ-12

 SX730 HS SZ-12 
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Canon SX730 HS vs Olympus SZ-12 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry your camera, you will have to think about its weight and volume. The Canon SX730 HS features external dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.6") with a weight of 300 grams (0.66 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).

Analyze the Canon SX730 HS and Olympus SZ-12 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are using at that time. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the SX730 HS vs the SZ-12.

Canon SX730 HS vs Olympus SZ-12 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the SX730 HS and SZ-12 is 88 and 89 respectively.

Canon SX730 HS vs Olympus SZ-12 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX730 HS vs Olympus SZ-12 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is difficult to envision the contrast between sensor sizing only by reviewing a spec sheet. The photograph below should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX730 HS and SZ-12.

Clearly, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Canon SX730 HS to deliver extra detail due to its extra 6.3MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs far more aggressively. The more recent SX730 HS is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX730 HS vs Olympus SZ-12 sensor size comparison

Canon SX730 HS vs Olympus SZ-12 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX730 HS vs Olympus SZ-12 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX730 HS Portrait photography details
Olympus SZ-12 Portrait photography details
48
manual focus
good MP (20.3MP)
provides face detect autofocus
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
33
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
has face detect focusing
no manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Street Comparison

Canon SX730 HS Street photography factors
Olympus SZ-12 Street photography factors
69
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (300 grams)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (226 grams)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Sports Comparison

Canon SX730 HS as a Sports photography camera
Olympus SZ-12 as a Sports photography camera
48
amazing zoom range (24-960mm 40.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20.3MP)
provides tracking focus
max frames per second low (5.9 frames per second)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (250 CIPA)
has no phase detect autofocus
40
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
has tracking focus
low frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery life (220 per charge)
does not have phase detect AF
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Travel Comparison

Canon SX730 HS Travel photography advice
Olympus SZ-12 Travel photography advice
72
lighter than competitors (300 grams)
connects via bluetooth
good MP (20.3 megapixels)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
relatively wide (24mm)
long zoom (960mm)
no Timelapse mode
not so great battery power (250 shots)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
65
lighter than average in class (226 grams)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low battery life (220 CIPA)
does not have selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Landscape Comparison

Canon SX730 HS Landscape photography factors
Olympus SZ-12 Landscape photography factors
50
manual focus
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20.3MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
not so great battery power (250 per charge)
no Timelapse mode
40
quite wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (14MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
no manual control
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
low battery life (220 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX730 HS Vlogging information
Olympus SZ-12 Vlogging information
74
relatively wide (24mm)
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors (300g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
no microphone jack
31
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect focusing
lighter than average in class (226g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
does not have selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone port
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Canon SX730 HS vs Olympus SZ-12 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX730 HS and Olympus SZ-12
 Canon PowerShot SX730 HSOlympus SZ-12
General Information
Company Canon Olympus
Model type Canon PowerShot SX730 HS Olympus SZ-12
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2017-04-06 2012-01-10
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor DIGIC 6 -
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 area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20.3 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Max resolution 5184 x 3888 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 3200 1600
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-960mm (40.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.3-6.9 f/3.0-6.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 922k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200s 1/1700s
Continuous shutter speed 5.9 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.00 m (with Auto ISO) -
Flash settings Auto, on, slow synchro, off 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
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 35 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In 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 300 grams (0.66 lbs) 226 grams (0.50 lbs)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.6") 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 250 photographs 220 photographs
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - LI-50B
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, self-timer) Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $399 $350