Clicky

Casio EX-Z280 vs Olympus SZ-12

Portability
96
Imaging
34
Features
21
Overall
28
Casio Exilim EX-Z280 front
 
Olympus SZ-12 front
Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36

Casio EX-Z280 vs Olympus SZ-12 Key Specs

Casio EX-Z280
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-104mm (F2.6-5.9) lens
  • 133g - 97 x 53 x 20mm
  • Announced August 2009
Olympus SZ-12
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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

Casio EX-Z280 vs Olympus SZ-12 Overview

Here is a detailed comparison of the Casio EX-Z280 versus Olympus SZ-12, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Casio and Olympus. The resolution of the EX-Z280 (12MP) and the SZ-12 (14MP) is very similar and they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

The EX-Z280 was announced 3 years before the SZ-12 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise summary of how the EX-Z280 matches up versus the SZ-12 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

        

Reasons to pick Casio EX-Z280 over the Olympus SZ-12

 EX-Z280 SZ-12 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Casio EX-Z280

 SZ-12 EX-Z280 
ReleasedJanuary 2012August 2009Fresher by 28 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k115kCrisper display (+345k dot)

Common features in the Casio EX-Z280 and Olympus SZ-12

 EX-Z280 SZ-12 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Casio EX-Z280 vs Olympus SZ-12 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry your camera frequently, you should factor its weight and proportions. The Casio EX-Z280 provides exterior measurements of 97mm x 53mm x 20mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.8") and a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs) whilst the Olympus SZ-12 has measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") along with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs).

Check out the Casio EX-Z280 versus Olympus SZ-12 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the EX-Z280 vs the SZ-12.

Casio EX-Z280 vs Olympus SZ-12 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the EX-Z280 and SZ-12 is 96 and 89 respectively.

Casio EX-Z280 vs Olympus SZ-12 top view buttons comparison

Casio EX-Z280 vs Olympus SZ-12 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be difficult to imagine the gap between sensor sizing only by reading technical specs. The photograph here should provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the EX-Z280 and SZ-12.

As you have seen, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You can expect to see the Olympus SZ-12 to deliver greater detail with its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop pics far more aggressively. The older EX-Z280 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Casio EX-Z280 vs Olympus SZ-12 sensor size comparison

Casio EX-Z280 vs Olympus SZ-12 Screen and ViewFinder

Casio EX-Z280 vs Olympus SZ-12 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Casio EX-Z280 Portrait photography factors
Olympus SZ-12 Portrait photography factors
27
focusing manually
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
33
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
supports face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Casio EX-Z280 Street photography factors
Olympus SZ-12 Street photography factors
55
lighter than competition (133 grams)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
60
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (226g)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Sports Comparison

Casio EX-Z280 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus SZ-12 as a Sports photography camera
17
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
40
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery power (220 shots)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Casio EX-Z280
Travel photography with Olympus SZ-12
62
lighter than competition (133g)
built-in flash
decently wide (26mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f2.6)
65
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
bad battery power (220 per charge)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Landscape Comparison

Casio EX-Z280 Landscape photography advice
Olympus SZ-12 Landscape photography advice
32
focusing manually
decently wide (26mm)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.6)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
missing Time Lapse recording
40
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not available
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
bad battery power (220 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse recording
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Vlogging Comparison

Casio EX-Z280 Vlogging info
Olympus SZ-12 Vlogging info
28
decently wide (26mm)
lighter than competition (133 grams)
slow max aperture (f2.6)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic socket
31
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detection autofocus
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic socket
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Casio EX-Z280 vs Olympus SZ-12 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Casio EX-Z280 and Olympus SZ-12
 Casio Exilim EX-Z280Olympus SZ-12
General Information
Manufacturer Casio Olympus
Model Casio Exilim EX-Z280 Olympus SZ-12
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2009-08-31 2012-01-10
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 3200 1600
Lowest native ISO 64 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-104mm (4.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.6-5.9 f/3.0-6.9
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 115k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1700 seconds
Continuous shooting rate - 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.20 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
External flash
Auto exposure 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 (30fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 133g (0.29 pounds) 226g (0.50 pounds)
Dimensions 97 x 53 x 20mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.8") 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 220 photographs
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model NP-80 LI-50B
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Triple) Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Launch price $180 $350