Clicky

Olympus E-600 vs Panasonic FS12

Portability
71
Imaging
47
Features
50
Overall
48
Olympus E-600 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
14
Overall
26

Olympus E-600 vs Panasonic FS12 Key Specs

Olympus E-600
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 515g - 130 x 94 x 60mm
  • Released August 2009
Panasonic FS12
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 31-124mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 129g - 97 x 55 x 22mm
  • Announced April 2009
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Olympus E-600 vs Panasonic FS12 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Olympus E-600 versus Panasonic FS12, one being a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Ultracompact by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-600 (12MP) and the FS12 (12MP) is pretty comparable but the E-600 (Four Thirds) and FS12 (1/2.3") have different sensor sizing.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

The E-600 was announced 5 months later than the FS12 so they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-600 being a Compact SLR camera and the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving into a full comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the E-600 matches up against the FS12 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-600 over the Panasonic FS12

 E-600 FS12 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Olympus E-600

 FS12 E-600 

Common features in the Olympus E-600 and Panasonic FS12

 E-600 FS12 
AnnouncedAugust 2009April 2009Same generation
Screen dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal screen measurement
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-600 vs Panasonic FS12 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera, you'll have to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus E-600 has got external measurements of 130mm x 94mm x 60mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.4") having a weight of 515 grams (1.14 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FS12 has sizing of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-600 versus Panasonic FS12 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you use during that time. Here is a front view scale comparison of the E-600 compared to the FS12.

Olympus E-600 vs Panasonic FS12 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-600 and FS12 is 71 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-600 vs Panasonic FS12 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-600 vs Panasonic FS12 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very hard to picture the difference in sensor sizing merely by going through specs. The photograph underneath will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the E-600 and FS12.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras have the same megapixels albeit different sensor sizing. The E-600 has the bigger sensor which will make getting shallow depth of field less difficult.

Olympus E-600 vs Panasonic FS12 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-600 vs Panasonic FS12 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-600 vs Panasonic FS12 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-600 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic FS12 Portrait photography factors
60
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focus
supports RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
20
no manual focus
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Street Comparison

Olympus E-600 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FS12 as a Street photography camera
76
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-600 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic FS12 Sports photography highlights
48
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (4.0 fps)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (500 shots)
25
image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-600 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic FS12 as a Travel photography camera
53
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
missing Timelapse function
not so great battery pack (500 shots)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
51
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (31mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-600 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic FS12 Landscape photography highlights
53
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
small screen (2.7")
low megapixels (12MP)
not so great battery pack (500 CIPA)
missing Timelapse function
27
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (31mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
does not have Timelapse mode
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-600 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FS12 as a Vlogging camera
18
can't record video
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (31mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not offer selfie friendly display
video resolution low (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have microphone support
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Olympus E-600 vs Panasonic FS12 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-600 and Panasonic FS12
 Olympus E-600Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus E-600 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12
Type Entry-Level DSLR Ultracompact
Released 2009-08-30 2009-04-17
Physical type Compact SLR Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III+ -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 1600
Max enhanced ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 7 -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 31-124mm (4.0x)
Max aperture - f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Available lenses 45 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech HyperCrystal LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.48x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m 6.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Front curtain, Rear curtain, Fill-in, Manual Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 640x480
Video data format - Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 515 gr (1.14 pounds) 129 gr (0.28 pounds)
Physical dimensions 130 x 94 x 60mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.4") 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 55 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 541 not tested
Other
Battery life 500 photos -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLS-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $0 $228