Nikon P510 vs Olympus SZ-12
66 Imaging
39 Features
55 Overall
45


89 Imaging
37 Features
36 Overall
36
Nikon P510 vs Olympus SZ-12 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-1000mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
- 555g - 120 x 83 x 102mm
- Announced July 2012
- Older Model is Nikon P500
- Successor is Nikon P520
(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
- Launched January 2012

Nikon P510 vs Olympus SZ-12 Overview
Following is a comprehensive overview of the Nikon P510 versus Olympus SZ-12, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Olympus. The resolution of the P510 (16MP) and the SZ-12 (14MP) is fairly well matched and they enjoy the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

The P510 was introduced 6 months after the SZ-12 so they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Nikon P510 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Olympus SZ-12 being a Compact camera.
Before we go straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple summation of how the P510 grades versus the SZ-12 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Nikon P510 vs Olympus SZ-12 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon Coolpix P510 and Olympus SZ-12. The whole galleries are viewable at Nikon P510 Gallery and Olympus SZ-12 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon P510 over the Olympus SZ-12
P510 | SZ-12 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More accurate focus | ||
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper display (+461k dot) |
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Nikon P510
SZ-12 | P510 |
---|
Common features in the Nikon P510 and Olympus SZ-12
P510 | SZ-12 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | July 2012 | ![]() | January 2012 | Similar generation |
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical display size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Lack of Touch friendly display |
Nikon P510 vs Olympus SZ-12 Physical Comparison
If you're aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you should consider its weight and dimensions. The Nikon P510 provides external measurements of 120mm x 83mm x 102mm (4.7" x 3.3" x 4.0") accompanied by a weight of 555 grams (1.22 lbs) while the Olympus SZ-12 has dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs).
Look at the Nikon P510 versus Olympus SZ-12 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you select at that moment. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the P510 versus the SZ-12.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the P510 and SZ-12 is 66 and 89 respectively.

Nikon P510 vs Olympus SZ-12 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it is very difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes purely by looking at specs. The image below might give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the P510 and SZ-12.
As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different MP. You should anticipate the Nikon P510 to give extra detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos much more aggressively.

Nikon P510 vs Olympus SZ-12 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon P510 vs Olympus SZ-12 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix P510 | Olympus SZ-12 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Nikon | Olympus |
Model type | Nikon Coolpix P510 | Olympus SZ-12 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Announced | 2012-07-05 | 2012-01-10 |
Body design | SLR-like (bridge) | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Expeed C2 | - |
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 | 16 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | - |
Highest Possible resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4288 x 3216 |
Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 1600 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 24-1000mm (41.7x) | 25-600mm (24.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.0-5.9 | f/3.0-6.9 |
Macro focusing range | 2cm | - |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Tilting | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Screen resolution | 921k dot | 460k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Screen tech | TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating | TFT Color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30 seconds | 4 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/1700 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 7.0 frames/s | 1.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (15, 30fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (120, 30fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | BuiltIn | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 555g (1.22 lb) | 226g (0.50 lb) |
Dimensions | 120 x 83 x 102mm (4.7" x 3.3" x 4.0") | 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 | 200 images | 220 images |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | EN-EL5 | LI-50B |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Price at release | $600 | $350 |