Nikon Coolpix P90 vs Olympus SZ-12: A Hands-On Comparison of Small Sensor Superzoom Cameras

In the realm of small sensor superzoom cameras, two models that often come up in conversations among enthusiasts and casual photographers alike are Nikon’s Coolpix P90 and Olympus’s SZ-12. Though they hail from different eras and design philosophies, both promise extensive zoom ranges and compact form factors aimed at those craving versatility without the bulk and complexity of interchangeable lens systems.

Having extensively tested and compared these two cameras side by side in various real-world conditions, this article dives deeply into their strengths, weaknesses, and practical usability to help you decipher which one, if either, deserves a spot in your camera bag. From build quality and ergonomics through sensor performance, autofocus behavior, and specialized photography use cases, we leave no stone unturned. Prepare for a thoroughly technical yet approachable analysis designed for enthusiasts and professionals contemplating a budget-friendly superzoom option.

Design and Handling: Ergonomics Matter When the Zoom Gets Long

Streamlined form factor and comfort during extended shooting sessions can make or break your experience, especially when wielding a hefty zoom lens. Upon first handling, the Nikon P90 feels more robustly built, featuring a classic SLR-like "bridge" design with a substantial grip that instills confidence. Its dimensions stand at 114×99×83 mm with a weight of roughly 400 g - fairly chunky for a bridge camera but justified by its long zoom and physical controls.

The Olympus SZ-12 offers a more compact, pocketable profile at 106×69×40 mm and just 226 g. It opts for slinky portability over girth with a typical compact body shape, lacking an electronic viewfinder that the Nikon offers (albeit modest in resolution).

The P90 sports a tilting 3-inch LCD screen, which adds flexibility for shooting at low or high angles, whereas the SZ-12 sticks to a fixed 3-inch screen but compensates with a higher resolution display (460k dots versus P90’s 230k dots), yielding crisper image previews.

Weightwise, the P90’s heft translates into better balance, particularly with its 26-624mm equivalent zoom - bracing the lens against your hands minimizes shake during telephoto shooting. The SZ-12’s smaller dimensions and lighter weight make it noticeably more pocket-friendly but slightly less stable when going full zoom.

Ergonomically, Nikon also wins with dedicated physical dials enabling shutter priority, aperture priority, and manual exposure modes - features absent on the Olympus that cater mostly to point-and-shoot simplicity. Olympus trades out manual controls for an auto-centric approach, simplifying operation for beginners at the cost of creative flexibility.

In practical terms, if you plan to shoot regularly with a mix of full manual control and zoom, Nikon’s P90 layout and heft offer an edge. But Olympus is compelling for casual travel where size and simplicity take priority.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

At the core of these cameras lies their image sensors - identical on paper in size at approximately 1/2.3", but subtly differing in resolution and performance. The Nikon P90 houses a 12-megapixel CCD sensor sized 6.08×4.56mm, while the Olympus SZ-12 features a slightly higher 14-megapixel CCD spanning 6.17×4.55mm.

CCD sensors of this era are known for good color rendition but generally lag behind modern CMOS sensors in noise control and dynamic range. Neither camera supports RAW shooting, which limits post-processing latitude - a significant consideration for pros requiring maximum flexibility.

Color depth and dynamic range were not benchmarked by DxOmark for these models, but my empirical testing under varied lighting revealed:

• Nikon P90 delivered reasonably punchy colors with solid detail retention under daylight conditions. Its larger lens aperture at the short end (f/2.8) aids low-light capture better than the Olympus.
• Olympus SZ-12, despite higher megapixels, produced slightly noisier images past ISO 400 - a consequence of tinier pixel pitch and a more restrictive aperture (f/3.0 at wide end).

In terms of resolution, Olympus’s 14MP sensor captures finer detail in well-lit scenes, beneficial for cropping or large prints. Yet, sharpness is ultimately bounded by the lens quality, which we’ll tackle next.

Lens and Zoom Performance: Stretching Focal Lengths in the Real World

Both cameras boast impressive superzoom capabilities, translating to extensive reach:

• Nikon P90: 26-624mm equivalent (24× zoom), aperture f/2.8-5.0
• Olympus SZ-12: 25-600mm equivalent (24× zoom), aperture f/3.0-6.9

Despite numerically similar zoom ranges, the notable difference lies in aperture - Nikon’s lens starts brighter and maintains relatively faster apertures throughout the zoom range. This advantage improves subject isolation and enables faster shutter speeds in low light.

The P90 also features a macro focusing distance as close as 1cm, an exceptional figure letting you get close to small subjects with significant detail retention. The SZ-12 lacks macro-specific focus range data but does include a “pet auto shutter” mode geared towards capturing animals, suggesting some geared automation to assist focus on moving subjects.

Zoom performance wise, both lenses exhibit typical superzoom compromises:

• Noticeable barrel distortion at 25-26mm wide angle
• Moderate softness and chromatic aberration at telephoto extremes
• Optical image stabilization in both helps curtail handshake during extended zoom use, though Nikon’s optical stabilization is generally more effective than Olympus’s sensor-shift method at suppressing blur.

Autofocus Systems and Speed: Catching the Moment When It Counts

Here, the two diverge sharply. The Nikon P90 employs a single-point contrast-detection AF system without face or eye detection. This means autofocus is generally slower, especially in low contrast or dim conditions, and tracking moving subjects is limited.

In contrast, the Olympus SZ-12, despite its simpler compact design, steps up with face detection and some rudimentary tracking capabilities, alongside multi-area autofocus. It can even use pet auto shutter modes that detect animal faces, a nice touch for casual wildlife enthusiasts.

That said, neither camera offers continuous AF or high burst AF tracking crucial for fast-moving subjects like sports or wildlife. Olympus supports very slow continuous shooting at 1 fps, while the Nikon lacks continuous drive altogether, emphasizing static shooting.

For portraiture involving tight focusing on eyes, the P90’s lack of face detection and limited AF points make sharp eye focus challenging. Olympus with face detection provides more consistent results for snap portraits or casual street photography with erratically moving subjects.

Shooting Experience: Interface, Viewfinder, and Exposure Control

User interface and feedback mechanisms significantly affect the shooting workflow. The Nikon’s SLR-like design includes an electronic viewfinder (EVF), which, while modest resolution, is helpful for composing in bright light where LCDs struggle. Olympus foregoes a viewfinder entirely, requiring reliance on its bright TFT LCD - great indoors but challenging under glare.

The P90 supports manual exposure modes (manual, aperture priority, shutter priority), exposure compensation, and customizable white balance, giving users granular control. Olympus takes a more entry-level approach, locking out most manual settings to simplify operation but potentially frustrating those wanting creative aperture or shutter velocity control.

Both include built-in flashes with similar modes - auto, fill-in, red-eye reduction - but no hot shoe ports, limiting external lighting options.

Performance in Core Photography Genres

Let’s examine the cameras in specific photographic scenarios to see how their specs translate to real-world use.

Portrait Photography

• Nikon P90: The brighter lens and manual controls help create pleasing background blur (bokeh) at longer focal lengths, though limited AF restricts reliable eye detection or tracking. Skin tones reproduce warmly but can appear slightly soft due to CCD sensor limitations.

• Olympus SZ-12: Auto face detection assists in nailing focus on faces under daylight, but slow lens (f/6.9 tele) reduces bokeh potential. Skin tones are decent though a tad cooler, with some digital noise creeping in above ISO 400.

Landscape Photography

• Nikon P90: Manual control over aperture lets you push the lens to f/8 or above for extended depth of field, essential in landscapes. Its wider aperture and longer shutter speed range enable better long exposure shots. Lacking weather sealing restricts rugged use.

• Olympus SZ-12: Limited manual control and smaller sensor resolution slightly inhibit ultimate landscape detail, though its higher megapixels allow more cropping flexibility. The compact size makes it travel-friendly but again no weatherproofing.

Wildlife & Sports

• Both cameras struggle here due to AF and continuous shooting limitations. The Nikon’s lack of AF tracking and continuous mode means missing fast action is common. Olympus’s slow 1 fps sequence and face/pet focus help to some extent but are still no substitute for dedicated wildlife cams.

Street Photography

• Olympus’s discretion wins thanks to smaller size and lighter weight. Quieter operation and face detection aid candid portraits. The Nikon’s bulk and louder shutter can draw attention and slow reaction times.

Macro Photography

• Nikon shines with a 1cm macro focus distance, offering close-up versatility ideal for flowers or insect detail shots. Olympus lacks macro-specific features but still suitable for casual close-ups.

Night and Astro

• Both struggle at high ISOs (above 800). Long exposure available on Nikon aids night scenes, while Olympus’s limited shutter speeds restrict astro usability. Neither supports advanced noise reduction or raw capture that would benefit night photography.

Video Recording

• Nikon’s video is capped at VGA (640×480) @ 30fps in Motion JPEG - basic at best and inferior for modern standards.

• Olympus offers 720p HD video at 30fps in MPEG-4/H.264, making it a better choice for casual video use despite limited manual video controls.

Battery Life and Storage

Nikon uses EN-EL5 rechargeable Li-ion batteries with no official rating available but typically moderate endurance requiring spares for extended outings. Olympus’s LI-50B battery rates for approximately 220 shots per charge, suitable for light usage but short for long days.

Both cameras rely on a single SD/SDHC card slot with Olympus supporting SDXC for higher capacity cards, helpful for longer shooting without swaps.

Connectivity and Extras

Neither camera offers wireless or Bluetooth connectivity, reflecting their era and budget design focus. Nikon lacks HDMI output, limiting direct monitor or TV viewing, whereas Olympus includes HDMI - a small but useful advantage for reviewing footage on external screens.

Both omit microphone and headphone jacks, marking them out as basic video devices with no professional-quality audio options.

Price-to-Performance and Value Assessment

At launch, Nikon’s P90 retailed near $700 - significantly pricier than Olympus’s more affordable ~$350 SZ-12. This premium translated into better manual controls, longer aperture lens, and a more flexible physical interface.

Today, both are discounted or found second-hand. The P90’s larger lens aperture and ergonomic handling offer tangible value for photographers prioritizing creative control and moderate zoom reach with stability. Olympus’s appeal lies in lightweight portability and basic shooting automation.

Summing It Up: Expert Recommendations

Finally, what’s the verdict? Let’s help you decide based on your priorities:

• For Enthusiasts Seeking Creative Control and Reach:
  The Nikon Coolpix P90 is the superior choice. Its manual exposure modes, wider aperture lens, electronic viewfinder, and powerful zoom make it suitable for creative portraits, landscapes, and macro photography. You get better frame control and a more substantial, balanced build at the cost of size and price.

• For Casual Shooters Wanting Portability and Simplicity:
  Olympus SZ-12 excels as a compact superzoom offering decent image quality and helpful face-detection autofocus. Its brighter LCD, HDMI out, and lighter body suit travel, street shooting, and family snapshots, albeit with limited manual controls and a narrower aperture range.

• Avoid Both If:
  You need high-speed action capture, RAW support, strong low-light performance, or professional video capability. Both cameras belong to a prior generation and small-sensor superzoom category best suited for hobbyists and those dipping toes into zoom versatility rather than professionals requiring advanced features.

Nikon P90 front Nikon P90 screen back Olympus SZ 12 front Olympus SZ 12 screen back

Breaking It Down With Performance Scores

For a summarized look at how each camera fares overall and across genres:

We observe Nikon’s P90 scoring better in landscape and macro thanks to manual controls and lens speed, while Olympus’s SZ-12 shines modestly in street and casual portraiture due to automation and compactness.

Closing Thoughts

My years of testing superzoom cameras have repeatedly shown the tradeoff between control and convenience. The Nikon P90 stands out as a powerful enthusiast bridge camera that still holds up for certain uses despite its age. The Olympus SZ-12 caters to a budget-conscious crowd valuing lightweight design and ease of use but sacrifices creative latitude.

If you have a camera budget around $300-$400 and want to casually experiment with long zooms, the SZ-12 fits nicely. But if you want a more versatile and engaging photographic experience on a modest budget, the P90 remains a compelling option. Either way, understanding these nuances guides smarter choices: because knowing what your camera can and can’t do before you buy saves frustration and enables you to capture your vision better.

Here’s to finding the right tool to frame your world - one zoomed-in shot at a time.

If you found this guide helpful or have specific questions about these models, drop a comment below. Happy shooting!