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Nikon P950 vs Olympus SZ-12

Portability
52
Imaging
43
Features
70
Overall
53
Nikon Coolpix P950 front
 
Olympus SZ-12 front
Portability
89
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37

Nikon P950 vs Olympus SZ-12 Key Specs

Nikon P950
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-2000mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 1005g - 140 x 110 x 150mm
  • Announced January 2020
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
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Nikon P950 vs Olympus SZ-12 Overview

The following is a detailed analysis of the Nikon P950 vs Olympus SZ-12, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by competitors Nikon and Olympus. The sensor resolution of the P950 (16MP) and the SZ-12 (14MP) is fairly close and they come with the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The P950 was unveiled 8 years after the SZ-12 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Nikon P950 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Olympus SZ-12 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a simple summation of how the P950 grades against the SZ-12 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon P950 over the Olympus SZ-12

 P950 SZ-12 
ReleasedJanuary 2020January 2012Newer by 98 months
Manual focus More exact focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimension3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution921k460kClearer display (+461k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Nikon P950

 SZ-12 P950 

Common features in the Nikon P950 and Olympus SZ-12

 P950 SZ-12 
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Nikon P950 vs Olympus SZ-12 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to travel with your camera regularly, you'll have to think about its weight and measurements. The Nikon P950 features physical dimensions of 140mm x 110mm x 150mm (5.5" x 4.3" x 5.9") along with a weight of 1005 grams (2.22 lbs) while the Olympus SZ-12 has proportions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") and a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon P950 vs Olympus SZ-12 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the P950 against the SZ-12.

Nikon P950 vs Olympus SZ-12 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the P950 and SZ-12 is 52 and 89 respectively.

Nikon P950 vs Olympus SZ-12 top view buttons comparison

Nikon P950 vs Olympus SZ-12 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is tough to visualize the gap in sensor dimensions simply by viewing specs. The pic underneath should provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the P950 and SZ-12.

All in all, each of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different MP. You should anticipate the Nikon P950 to render greater detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The more recent P950 provides an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon P950 vs Olympus SZ-12 sensor size comparison

Nikon P950 vs Olympus SZ-12 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon P950 vs Olympus SZ-12 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon P950 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus SZ-12 as a Portrait photography camera
57
you can focus manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
34
MP count good (14 megapixels)
comes with face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon P950 Street photography highlights
Olympus SZ-12 Street photography highlights
53
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
more heavy than average (1,005g)
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (226 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon P950 Sports photography info
Olympus SZ-12 Sports photography info
54
incredible zoom range (24-2000mm 83.3 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
has tracking focus
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
41
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (220 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon P950
Travel photography with Olympus SZ-12
59
supports bluetooth
MP count good (16MP)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
fairly wide (24mm)
very long zoom (2000mm)
more heavy than average (1,005 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
65
lighter than competitors (226g)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
missing Timelapse mode
not so great battery power (220 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon P950
Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-12
55
you can focus manually
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3.2 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
delivers RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
40
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
no manual exposure
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
not so great battery power (220 CIPA)
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon P950 Vlogging features
Olympus SZ-12 Vlogging features
59
fairly wide (24mm)
display is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
high video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
comes with microphone socket
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
more heavy than average (1,005g)
31
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detection autofocus
lighter than competitors (226 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone jack
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Nikon P950 vs Olympus SZ-12 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon P950 and Olympus SZ-12
 Nikon Coolpix P950Olympus SZ-12
General Information
Brand Nikon Olympus
Model type Nikon Coolpix P950 Olympus SZ-12
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2020-01-07 2012-01-10
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 -
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 6400 1600
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-2000mm (83.3x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-6.5 f/3.0-6.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 3.2 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 921 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,359 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 90% -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 300 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1700 secs
Continuous shooting speed 7.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 11.50 m (at Auto ISO) -
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MP4, H.264, AAC3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MP4, H.264, AAC 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB EN-EL20a lithium-ion battery & USB charger USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1005g (2.22 lbs) 226g (0.50 lbs)
Dimensions 140 x 110 x 150mm (5.5" x 4.3" x 5.9") 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 290 photos 220 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - LI-50B
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Price at launch $797 $350