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Olympus FE-5020 vs Olympus SZ-12

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
20
Overall
29
Olympus FE-5020 front
 
Olympus SZ-12 front
Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36

Olympus FE-5020 vs Olympus SZ-12 Key Specs

Olympus FE-5020
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 24-120mm (F3.3-5.8) lens
  • 137g - 93 x 56 x 25mm
  • Introduced July 2009
  • Also referred to as X-935
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
  • Announced January 2012
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Olympus FE-5020 vs Olympus SZ-12 Overview

Following is a in-depth assessment of the Olympus FE-5020 versus Olympus SZ-12, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both built by Olympus. The sensor resolution of the FE-5020 (12MP) and the SZ-12 (14MP) is pretty similar and both cameras posses the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The FE-5020 was manufactured 3 years prior to the SZ-12 which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the FE-5020 matches up vs the SZ-12 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus FE-5020 over the Olympus SZ-12

 FE-5020 SZ-12 

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Olympus FE-5020

 SZ-12 FE-5020 
AnnouncedJanuary 2012July 2009More modern by 30 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus FE-5020 and Olympus SZ-12

 FE-5020 SZ-12 
Manually focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Olympus FE-5020 vs Olympus SZ-12 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry around your camera often, you have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus FE-5020 offers outer measurements of 93mm x 56mm x 25mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 1.0") with a weight of 137 grams (0.30 lbs) whilst the Olympus SZ-12 has dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") having a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs).

See the Olympus FE-5020 versus 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 at that moment. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the FE-5020 versus the SZ-12.

Olympus FE-5020 vs Olympus SZ-12 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the FE-5020 and SZ-12 is 95 and 89 respectively.

Olympus FE-5020 vs Olympus SZ-12 top view buttons comparison

Olympus FE-5020 vs Olympus SZ-12 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's hard to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes purely by reading technical specs. The pic here will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the FE-5020 and SZ-12.

As you have seen, both of those cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Olympus SZ-12 to offer you extra detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs more aggressively. The more aged FE-5020 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus FE-5020 vs Olympus SZ-12 sensor size comparison

Olympus FE-5020 vs Olympus SZ-12 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus FE-5020 vs Olympus SZ-12 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus FE-5020
Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-12
21
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
33
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
supports face detection focus
manual focus not available
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus FE-5020 Street photography information
Olympus SZ-12 Street photography information
60
weather sealing
lighter than average (137g)
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (226 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus FE-5020
Sports photography with Olympus SZ-12
24
weather sealing
low maximum shutter speed (1/500 seconds)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
40
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
low battery (220 per charge)
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus FE-5020 Travel photography details
Olympus SZ-12 Travel photography details
65
lighter than average (137 grams)
weather sealing
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
MP count low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
65
lighter than competitors (226 grams)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low battery (220 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus FE-5020 as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus SZ-12 as a Landscape photography camera
31
pretty wide (24mm)
weather sealing
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual mode
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
does not have Time Lapse recording
40
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
no manual mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
low battery (220 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus FE-5020 Vlogging information
Olympus SZ-12 Vlogging information
28
pretty wide (24mm)
lighter than average (137g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have mic socket
31
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detection focus
lighter than competitors (226 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone port
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Olympus FE-5020 vs Olympus SZ-12 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus FE-5020 and Olympus SZ-12
 Olympus FE-5020Olympus SZ-12
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus FE-5020 Olympus SZ-12
Also referred to as X-935 -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2009-07-22 2012-01-10
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic III -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 -
Highest resolution 3968 x 2976 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 1600 1600
Minimum native ISO 64 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-120mm (5.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.3-5.8 f/3.0-6.9
Macro focus range 1cm -
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/500 secs 1/1700 secs
Continuous shooting speed - 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.10 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 137 gr (0.30 lb) 226 gr (0.50 lb)
Physical dimensions 93 x 56 x 25mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 1.0") 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 - 220 images
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model LI-42B LI-50B
Self timer Yes (12 seconds) Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media xD-Picture Card, microSD SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $160 $350