Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus SZ-12

Below is a extended analysis of the Olympus E-P3 versus Olympus SZ-12, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are offered by Olympus. The resolution of the E-P3 (12MP) and the SZ-12 (14MP) is pretty close but the E-P3 (Four Thirds) and SZ-12 (1/2.3") come with totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-P3 was announced 4 months earlier than the SZ-12 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-P3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus SZ-12 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight into a full comparison, below is a quick summary of how the E-P3 scores against the SZ-12 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Here is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus PEN E-P3 & Olympus SZ-12. The whole galleries are available at Olympus E-P3 Gallery & Olympus SZ-12 Gallery.

If you are aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you will have to think about its weight and size. The Olympus E-P3 features external measurements of 122mm x 69mm x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") having a weight of 369 grams (0.81 lbs) and 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).

Compare the Olympus E-P3 versus Olympus SZ-12 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have attached during that time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the E-P3 and the SZ-12.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the E-P3 and SZ-12 is 86 and 89 respectively.

Generally, it is hard to envision the difference in sensor measurements simply by viewing specs. The visual underneath will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the E-P3 and SZ-12.

All in all, the two cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The E-P3 using its bigger sensor will make getting shallower DOF less difficult and the Olympus SZ-12 will render greater detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures a little more aggressively.