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Nikon A900 vs Olympus SZ-12

Portability
88
Imaging
46
Features
58
Overall
50
Nikon Coolpix A900 front
 
Olympus SZ-12 front
Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36

Nikon A900 vs Olympus SZ-12 Key Specs

Nikon A900
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-840mm (F3.4-6.9) lens
  • 289g - 113 x 67 x 40mm
  • Released February 2016
  • Refreshed by Nikon A1000
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
  • Revealed January 2012
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Nikon A900 vs Olympus SZ-12 Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Nikon A900 versus Olympus SZ-12, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by brands Nikon and Olympus. There is a sizable difference among the sensor resolutions of the A900 (20MP) and SZ-12 (14MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The A900 was revealed 4 years after the SZ-12 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a detailed comparison, here is a brief summary of how the A900 scores vs the SZ-12 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon A900 over the Olympus SZ-12

 A900 SZ-12 
RevealedFebruary 2016January 2012Newer by 51 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution921k460kCrisper display (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Nikon A900

 SZ-12 A900 

Common features in the Nikon A900 and Olympus SZ-12

 A900 SZ-12 
Manually focus No manual focus
Display size3"3"Same display measurement
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Nikon A900 vs Olympus SZ-12 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to travel with your camera frequently, you should take into account its weight and volume. The Nikon A900 offers exterior measurements of 113mm x 67mm x 40mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 289 grams (0.64 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).

Check the Nikon A900 versus Olympus SZ-12 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you choose at that moment. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the A900 vs the SZ-12.

Nikon A900 vs Olympus SZ-12 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the A900 and SZ-12 is 88 and 89 respectively.

Nikon A900 vs Olympus SZ-12 top view buttons comparison

Nikon A900 vs Olympus SZ-12 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is tough to picture the gap in sensor dimensions simply by researching specifications. The pic below should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the A900 and SZ-12.

To sum up, both cameras feature the identical sensor size but different megapixels. You can expect to see the Nikon A900 to provide you with greater detail because of its extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop images way more aggressively. The younger A900 should have an edge in sensor tech.

Nikon A900 vs Olympus SZ-12 sensor size comparison

Nikon A900 vs Olympus SZ-12 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon A900 vs Olympus SZ-12 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon A900 Portrait photography factors
Olympus SZ-12 Portrait photography factors
40
decent megapixels (20MP)
includes face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
33
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
comes with face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon A900 Street photography details
Olympus SZ-12 Street photography details
69
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (289g)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (226 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon A900 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus SZ-12 as a Sports photography camera
56
excellent zoom range (24-840mm 35.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (20MP)
includes tracking autofocus
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
40
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (220 per charge)
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon A900 Travel photography advice
Olympus SZ-12 Travel photography advice
74
lighter than others (289 grams)
has bluetooth
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
great reach (840mm)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
65
lighter than competition (226 grams)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
not so great battery power (220 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon A900
Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-12
49
pretty wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (20MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
40
rather wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
manual mode not available
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
not so great battery power (220 shots)
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon A900 Vlogging features
Olympus SZ-12 Vlogging features
34
pretty wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focusing
good video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
lighter than others (289 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
lack of external microphone jack
31
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detection focusing
lighter than competition (226g)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic socket
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Nikon A900 vs Olympus SZ-12 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon A900 and Olympus SZ-12
 Nikon Coolpix A900Olympus SZ-12
General Information
Brand Nikon Olympus
Model type Nikon Coolpix A900 Olympus SZ-12
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2016-02-23 2012-01-10
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 -
Full resolution 5184 x 3888 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 3200 1600
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-840mm (35.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.4-6.9 f/3.0-6.9
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 921k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1700 secs
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.00 m (at Auto ISO) -
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 (30p, 25p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p, 25p) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 289 grams (0.64 pounds) 226 grams (0.50 pounds)
Physical dimensions 113 x 67 x 40mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.6") 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 300 photos 220 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL12 LI-50B
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 secs) Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $400 $350