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Nikon P80 vs Olympus SZ-12

Portability
75
Imaging
33
Features
33
Overall
33
Nikon Coolpix P80 front
 
Olympus SZ-12 front
Portability
89
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37

Nikon P80 vs Olympus SZ-12 Key Specs

Nikon P80
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 27-486mm (F2.8-4.0) lens
  • 405g - 110 x 79 x 78mm
  • Revealed January 2009
  • Replacement is Nikon P90
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
  • Introduced January 2012
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Nikon P80 vs Olympus SZ-12 Overview

In this write-up, we will be looking at the Nikon P80 versus Olympus SZ-12, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Nikon and Olympus. There is a large difference between the image resolutions of the P80 (10MP) and SZ-12 (14MP) but they use the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The P80 was revealed 4 years earlier than the SZ-12 which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Nikon P80 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Olympus SZ-12 being a Compact camera.

Before we go in to a in-depth comparison, below is a quick summation of how the P80 grades against the SZ-12 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon P80 over the Olympus SZ-12

 P80 SZ-12 
Focus manually Very precise focus

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Nikon P80

 SZ-12 P80 
IntroducedJanuary 2012January 2009More modern by 36 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Nikon P80 and Olympus SZ-12

 P80 SZ-12 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Nikon P80 vs Olympus SZ-12 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera often, you'll need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Nikon P80 provides exterior measurements of 110mm x 79mm x 78mm (4.3" x 3.1" x 3.1") along with a weight of 405 grams (0.89 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 Nikon P80 versus Olympus SZ-12 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have attached at that time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the P80 against the SZ-12.

Nikon P80 vs Olympus SZ-12 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the P80 and SZ-12 is 75 and 89 respectively.

Nikon P80 vs Olympus SZ-12 top view buttons comparison

Nikon P80 vs Olympus SZ-12 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very tough to visualise the gap between sensor sizes just by reading through a spec sheet. The pic underneath will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the P80 and SZ-12.

As you can see, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Olympus SZ-12 to give extra detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more aged P80 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon P80 vs Olympus SZ-12 sensor size comparison

Nikon P80 vs Olympus SZ-12 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon P80 vs Olympus SZ-12 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon P80
Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-12
27
you can focus manually
external flash not possible
low MP (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
34
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
includes face detection focusing
manual focus not available
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon P80 Street photography details
Olympus SZ-12 Street photography details
48
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
60
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon P80 Sports photography details
Olympus SZ-12 Sports photography details
36
incredible zoom range (27-486mm 18.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
low MP (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
41
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
includes tracking autofocus
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
low battery pack (220 CIPA)
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon P80 Travel photography information
Olympus SZ-12 Travel photography information
56
flash built-in
relatively wide (27mm)
great reach (486mm)
low MP (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
65
lighter than competition in class (226g)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
low battery pack (220 per charge)
does not have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon P80 Landscape photography factors
Olympus SZ-12 Landscape photography factors
37
you can focus manually
relatively wide (27mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inch)
low MP (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
40
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
no manual control
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
low battery pack (220 shots)
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon P80 as a Vlogging camera
Olympus SZ-12 as a Vlogging camera
24
relatively wide (27mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 resolution)
missing external mic port
31
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection focusing
lighter than competition in class (226g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
does not have selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external microphone jack
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Nikon P80 vs Olympus SZ-12 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon P80 and Olympus SZ-12
 Nikon Coolpix P80Olympus SZ-12
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Olympus
Model type Nikon Coolpix P80 Olympus SZ-12
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2009-01-15 2012-01-10
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 6400 1600
Lowest native ISO 64 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 27-486mm (18.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-4.0 f/3.0-6.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Min shutter speed 8 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1700 seconds
Continuous shutter speed - 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480, 15/30 fps, 320 x 240, 15 fps, 160 x 120, 15 fps 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format - 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 405g (0.89 pounds) 226g (0.50 pounds)
Dimensions 110 x 79 x 78mm (4.3" x 3.1" x 3.1") 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 - 220 shots
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL5 LI-50B
Self timer Yes (3 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Price at release $400 $350