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Olympus FE-4000 vs Olympus SZ-12

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27
Olympus FE-4000 front
 
Olympus SZ-12 front
Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36

Olympus FE-4000 vs Olympus SZ-12 Key Specs

Olympus FE-4000
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 26-105mm (F2.6-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Revealed July 2009
  • Also Known as X-925
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
  • Introduced January 2012
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Olympus FE-4000 vs Olympus SZ-12 Overview

The following is a extended analysis of the Olympus FE-4000 versus Olympus SZ-12, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both produced by Olympus. The resolution of the FE-4000 (12MP) and the SZ-12 (14MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras provide the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The FE-4000 was brought out 3 years prior to the SZ-12 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick summary of how the FE-4000 grades against the SZ-12 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus FE-4000 over the Olympus SZ-12

 FE-4000 SZ-12 

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Olympus FE-4000

 SZ-12 FE-4000 
IntroducedJanuary 2012July 2009Newer by 30 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus FE-4000 and Olympus SZ-12

 FE-4000 SZ-12 
Focus manually No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Olympus FE-4000 vs Olympus SZ-12 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to travel with your camera often, you will have to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus FE-4000 has got external measurements of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) while the Olympus SZ-12 has specifications 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 Olympus FE-4000 versus Olympus SZ-12 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you select at that moment. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the FE-4000 versus the SZ-12.

Olympus FE-4000 vs Olympus SZ-12 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the FE-4000 and SZ-12 is 95 and 89 respectively.

Olympus FE-4000 vs Olympus SZ-12 top view buttons comparison

Olympus FE-4000 vs Olympus SZ-12 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very tough to see the contrast in sensor dimensions only by going through technical specs. The image here will provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the FE-4000 and SZ-12.

As you can tell, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You can anticipate the Olympus SZ-12 to produce greater detail having its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The more aged FE-4000 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus FE-4000 vs Olympus SZ-12 sensor size comparison

Olympus FE-4000 vs Olympus SZ-12 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus FE-4000 vs Olympus SZ-12 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus FE-4000 Portrait photography highlights
Olympus SZ-12 Portrait photography highlights
21
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
33
MP count good (14 megapixels)
provides face detection focusing
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus FE-4000 as a Street photography camera
Olympus SZ-12 as a Street photography camera
55
lighter than competition in class (136g)
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
60
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (226 grams)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus FE-4000 Sports photography features
Olympus SZ-12 Sports photography features
17
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
40
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery power (220 per charge)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus FE-4000 as a Travel photography camera
Olympus SZ-12 as a Travel photography camera
62
lighter than competition in class (136 grams)
built-in flash
rather wide (26mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.6)
65
lighter than competitors (226g)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
no Time Lapse function
bad battery power (220 shots)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus FE-4000 Landscape photography factors
Olympus SZ-12 Landscape photography factors
28
rather wide (26mm)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.6)
tiny screen (2.7")
lack of manual mode
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
40
quite wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual exposure
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
bad battery power (220 shots)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus FE-4000
Vlogging with Olympus SZ-12
28
rather wide (26mm)
lighter than competition in class (136g)
slow max aperture (f2.6)
does not have selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of microphone jack
31
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection focusing
lighter than competitors (226g)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external mic jack
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Olympus FE-4000 vs Olympus SZ-12 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus FE-4000 and Olympus SZ-12
 Olympus FE-4000Olympus SZ-12
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus FE-4000 Olympus SZ-12
Otherwise known as X-925 -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2009-07-22 2012-01-10
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic III -
Sensor type CCD 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 12MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 -
Full resolution 3968 x 2976 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-105mm (4.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Max aperture f/2.6-5.9 f/3.0-6.9
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1700 seconds
Continuous shooting speed - 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.00 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
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 136 grams (0.30 lbs) 226 grams (0.50 lbs)
Physical dimensions 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 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 - 220 shots
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - LI-50B
Self timer Yes (12 seconds) Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter)
Time lapse recording
Storage media xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $130 $350