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Nikon S9100 vs Olympus SZ-12

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
41
Overall
37
Nikon Coolpix S9100 front
 
Olympus SZ-12 front
Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36

Nikon S9100 vs Olympus SZ-12 Key Specs

Nikon S9100
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-450mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 214g - 105 x 62 x 35mm
  • Launched July 2011
  • Newer Model is Nikon S9300
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
  • Revealed January 2012
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Nikon S9100 vs Olympus SZ-12 Overview

Lets take a more detailed look at the Nikon S9100 vs Olympus SZ-12, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Nikon and Olympus. The sensor resolution of the S9100 (12MP) and the SZ-12 (14MP) is relatively close and both cameras provide the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The S9100 was revealed 5 months prior to the SZ-12 and they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a short view of how the S9100 matches up against the SZ-12 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S9100 over the Olympus SZ-12

 S9100 SZ-12 
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Nikon S9100

 SZ-12 S9100 

Common features in the Nikon S9100 and Olympus SZ-12

 S9100 SZ-12 
RevealedJuly 2011January 2012Same generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Nikon S9100 vs Olympus SZ-12 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to lug around your camera, you'll need to take into account its weight and size. The Nikon S9100 has exterior dimensions of 105mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.4") along with a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs) while the Olympus SZ-12 has specifications of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") having a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon S9100 vs Olympus SZ-12 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you choose during that time. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the S9100 and the SZ-12.

Nikon S9100 vs Olympus SZ-12 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the S9100 and SZ-12 is 91 and 89 respectively.

Nikon S9100 vs Olympus SZ-12 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S9100 vs Olympus SZ-12 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be hard to imagine the gap in sensor measurements merely by viewing specifications. The visual underneath will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the S9100 and SZ-12.

Plainly, both cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You should count on the Olympus SZ-12 to provide you with greater detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots way more aggressively.

Nikon S9100 vs Olympus SZ-12 sensor size comparison

Nikon S9100 vs Olympus SZ-12 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S9100 vs Olympus SZ-12 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S9100 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus SZ-12 as a Portrait photography camera
32
has manual focus
includes face detect focus
no manual mode
no external flash support
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
33
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
provides face detect focusing
no manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon S9100 Street photography information
Olympus SZ-12 Street photography information
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (214 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (226g)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S9100 Sports photography features
Olympus SZ-12 Sports photography features
36
long zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (270 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
40
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
max frames per second low (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
low battery pack (220 CIPA)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S9100 Travel photography information
Olympus SZ-12 Travel photography information
61
lighter than competition in class (214g)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
great zoom (450mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
terrible battery power (270 CIPA)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
65
lighter than competition in class (226g)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
low battery pack (220 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.0)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Nikon S9100 as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus SZ-12 as a Landscape photography camera
39
has manual focus
decently wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual mode
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
terrible battery power (270 shots)
does not have Timelapse recording
40
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
no manual exposure
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
low battery pack (220 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon S9100
Vlogging with Olympus SZ-12
34
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (214g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have microphone support
31
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detect focusing
lighter than competition in class (226g)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic port
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Nikon S9100 vs Olympus SZ-12 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S9100 and Olympus SZ-12
 Nikon Coolpix S9100Olympus SZ-12
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Olympus
Model type Nikon Coolpix S9100 Olympus SZ-12
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2011-07-19 2012-01-10
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed C2 -
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 area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 3200 1600
Min native ISO 160 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-450mm (18.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.0-6.9
Macro focusing distance 4cm -
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 921 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1700s
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.00 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 214 gr (0.47 lbs) 226 gr (0.50 lbs)
Physical dimensions 105 x 62 x 35mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.4") 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 270 photos 220 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL12 LI-50B
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Price at release $329 $350