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Nikon Z5 vs Olympus SZ-12

Portability
62
Imaging
76
Features
86
Overall
80
Nikon Z5 front
 
Olympus SZ-12 front
Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36

Nikon Z5 vs Olympus SZ-12 Key Specs

Nikon Z5
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Push to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 675g - 134 x 101 x 70mm
  • Released July 2020
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 Z5 vs Olympus SZ-12 Overview

Here is a thorough comparison of the Nikon Z5 vs Olympus SZ-12, former being a Advanced Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Nikon and Olympus. There exists a large gap between the sensor resolutions of the Z5 (24MP) and SZ-12 (14MP) and the Z5 (Full frame) and SZ-12 (1/2.3") enjoy totally different sensor sizing.

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The Z5 was introduced 8 years later than the SZ-12 and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Nikon Z5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus SZ-12 being a Compact camera.

Before delving through a complete comparison, below is a simple summary of how the Z5 grades vs the SZ-12 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z5 over the Olympus SZ-12

 Z5 SZ-12 
IntroducedJuly 2020January 2012Fresher by 104 months
Manually focus Very exact focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1040k460kCrisper screen (+580k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Nikon Z5

 SZ-12 Z5 

Common features in the Nikon Z5 and Olympus SZ-12

 Z5 SZ-12 
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Nikon Z5 vs Olympus SZ-12 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry your camera frequently, you have to think about its weight and size. The Nikon Z5 provides exterior measurements of 134mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") and a weight of 675 grams (1.49 lbs) whilst 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).

Check out the Nikon Z5 vs Olympus SZ-12 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the Z5 versus the SZ-12.

Nikon Z5 vs Olympus SZ-12 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the Z5 and SZ-12 is 62 and 89 respectively.

Nikon Z5 vs Olympus SZ-12 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Olympus SZ-12 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is hard to envision the difference between sensor sizing purely by reading a spec sheet. The photograph here will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the Z5 and SZ-12.

As you can see, the two cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The Z5 with its bigger sensor will make getting shallower DOF simpler and the Nikon Z5 will deliver extra detail using its extra 10MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures much more aggressively. The newer Z5 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon Z5 vs Olympus SZ-12 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Olympus SZ-12 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z5 vs Olympus SZ-12 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z5 Portrait photography information
Olympus SZ-12 Portrait photography information
85
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
provides face detection focus
supports RAW files
33
good resolution (14 megapixels)
comes with face detection focus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z5 Street photography advice
Olympus SZ-12 Street photography advice
74
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW files
supports touch to focus
weather proofing
very good ISO range (51,200)
more heavy than average in class (675g)
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (226 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z5 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus SZ-12 as a Sports photography camera
82
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
weather proofing
good battery pack (470 shots)
supports phase detect auto focus
max frames per second very slow (4.5 frames/s)
40
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (14MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
low battery power (220 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z5 Travel photography information
Olympus SZ-12 Travel photography information
68
good battery pack (470 CIPA)
weather proofing
supports bluetooth
supports touch to focus
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
more heavy than average in class (675g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
65
lighter than competitors (226 grams)
good resolution (14MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
low battery power (220 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z5 Landscape photography factors
Olympus SZ-12 Landscape photography factors
86
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
very good ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
good battery pack (470 per charge)
has double storage slots
40
fairly wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not available
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
low battery power (220 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon Z5
Vlogging with Olympus SZ-12
34
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection focus
great video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
comes with external microphone port
screen isn't selfie friendly
more heavy than average in class (675g)
31
fairly wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detection focus
lighter than competitors (226 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic port
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Nikon Z5 vs Olympus SZ-12 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z5 and Olympus SZ-12
 Nikon Z5Olympus SZ-12
General Information
Company Nikon Olympus
Model Nikon Z5 Olympus SZ-12
Type Advanced Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2020-07-20 2012-01-10
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 6 -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Full frame 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 23.9mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 858.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Highest resolution 6016 x 4016 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 51200 1600
Highest boosted ISO 102400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Minimum boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 273 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon Z fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-600mm (24.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.0-6.9
Number of lenses 15 -
Focal length multiplier 1 5.8
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.2 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,040 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 3,690 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/1700 secs
Continuous shooting speed 4.5fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash -
Flash settings Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/200 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 675 grams (1.49 pounds) 226 grams (0.50 pounds)
Dimensions 134 x 101 x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 470 images 220 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL15c LI-50B
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Dual Single
Retail price $1,399 $350