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Nikon Z50 vs Olympus SZ-12

Portability
74
Imaging
68
Features
84
Overall
74
Nikon Z50 front
 
Olympus SZ-12 front
Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36

Nikon Z50 vs Olympus SZ-12 Key Specs

Nikon Z50
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 204800)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 397g - 127 x 94 x 60mm
  • Announced October 2019
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 Z50 vs Olympus SZ-12 Overview

On this page, we are evaluating the Nikon Z50 versus Olympus SZ-12, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Nikon and Olympus. There is a crucial difference between the image resolutions of the Z50 (21MP) and SZ-12 (14MP) and the Z50 (APS-C) and SZ-12 (1/2.3") offer different sensor size.

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The Z50 was released 7 years later than the SZ-12 and that is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Nikon Z50 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus SZ-12 being a Compact camera.

Before going right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise summation of how the Z50 scores against the SZ-12 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z50 over the Olympus SZ-12

 Z50 SZ-12 
ReleasedOctober 2019January 2012Fresher by 95 months
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1040k460kCrisper display (+580k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Nikon Z50

 SZ-12 Z50 

Common features in the Nikon Z50 and Olympus SZ-12

 Z50 SZ-12 

Nikon Z50 vs Olympus SZ-12 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry your camera regularly, you need to think about its weight and measurements. The Nikon Z50 provides outside measurements of 127mm x 94mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") with a weight of 397 grams (0.88 lbs) and 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).

Look at the Nikon Z50 versus Olympus SZ-12 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you use at that time. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the Z50 versus the SZ-12.

Nikon Z50 vs Olympus SZ-12 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the Z50 and SZ-12 is 74 and 89 respectively.

Nikon Z50 vs Olympus SZ-12 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Olympus SZ-12 Sensor Comparison

Often, its tough to picture the difference between sensor sizing just by checking specs. The graphic here might give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the Z50 and SZ-12.

All in all, each of the cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The Z50 featuring a larger sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF simpler and the Nikon Z50 will resolve more detail as a result of its extra 7MP. Greater resolution will help you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The more recent Z50 should have a benefit in sensor tech.

Nikon Z50 vs Olympus SZ-12 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Olympus SZ-12 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z50 vs Olympus SZ-12 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z50 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus SZ-12 as a Portrait photography camera
80
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (21MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
33
MP count good (14MP)
provides face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z50 Street photography details
Olympus SZ-12 Street photography details
73
has a tilting screen
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
features touch focus
weather proofing
good ISO range (51,200)
no image stabilization
heavier than average (397g)
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average (226 grams)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z50 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus SZ-12 as a Sports photography camera
75
decent megapixels (21MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
weather proofing
supports phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
40
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (14MP)
provides tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery life (220 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Nikon Z50 Travel photography details
Olympus SZ-12 Travel photography details
77
weather proofing
has bluetooth
features touch focus
decent megapixels (21MP)
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
heavier than average (397g)
65
lighter than average (226 grams)
MP count good (14MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low battery life (220 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z50 Landscape photography info
Olympus SZ-12 Landscape photography info
79
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Nikon Z mount)
decent sized screen (3.2 inches)
decent megapixels (21 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
good ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
no image stabilization
40
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual exposure
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
low battery life (220 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z50 Vlogging advice
Olympus SZ-12 Vlogging advice
71
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen
includes face detect autofocus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
comes with mic jack
no image stabilization
heavier than average (397 grams)
31
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection focusing
lighter than average (226g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone jack
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Nikon Z50 vs Olympus SZ-12 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z50 and Olympus SZ-12
 Nikon Z50Olympus SZ-12
General Information
Make Nikon Olympus
Model type Nikon Z50 Olympus SZ-12
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2019-10-10 2012-01-10
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 6 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 21 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Highest Possible resolution 5568 x 3712 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 51200 1600
Maximum enhanced ISO 204800 -
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 209 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon Z fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-600mm (24.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.0-6.9
Number of lenses 15 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.2" 3"
Display resolution 1,040k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1700s
Continuous shutter speed 11.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash modes - 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
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In 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 397 gr (0.88 pounds) 226 gr (0.50 pounds)
Physical dimensions 127 x 94 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") 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 320 photographs 220 photographs
Battery format Built-in Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL25 LI-50B
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Retail price $857 $350