Clicky

Olympus E-PL1s vs Olympus SZ-12

Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
43
Overall
46
Olympus PEN E-PL1s front
 
Olympus SZ-12 front
Portability
89
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37

Olympus E-PL1s vs Olympus SZ-12 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL1s
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
  • Announced November 2010
  • Older Model is Olympus E-PL1
  • Renewed by Olympus E-PL2
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
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Olympus E-PL1s vs Olympus SZ-12 Overview

The following is a thorough assessment of the Olympus E-PL1s versus Olympus SZ-12, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are created by Olympus. The sensor resolution of the E-PL1s (12MP) and the SZ-12 (14MP) is pretty similar but the E-PL1s (Four Thirds) and SZ-12 (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor dimensions.

TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

The E-PL1s was brought out 14 months prior to the SZ-12 which makes them a generation away from each other. Both cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL1s being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus SZ-12 being a Compact camera.

Before diving into a complete comparison, here is a quick overview of how the E-PL1s scores against the SZ-12 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1s over the Olympus SZ-12

 E-PL1s SZ-12 
Manually focus More accurate focusing

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Olympus E-PL1s

 SZ-12 E-PL1s 
AnnouncedJanuary 2012November 2010Newer by 14 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1s and Olympus SZ-12

 E-PL1s SZ-12 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Olympus E-PL1s vs Olympus SZ-12 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera, you need to consider its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL1s offers outside measurements of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") and a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) while the Olympus SZ-12 has specifications of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") along with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-PL1s versus Olympus SZ-12 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you select at that time. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the E-PL1s and the SZ-12.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Olympus SZ-12 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL1s and SZ-12 is 86 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Olympus SZ-12 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1s vs Olympus SZ-12 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its tough to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions simply by reading specifications. The pic here may give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL1s and SZ-12.

Plainly, the 2 cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-PL1s due to its bigger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field less difficult and the Olympus SZ-12 will offer you extra detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The more aged E-PL1s is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Olympus SZ-12 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1s vs Olympus SZ-12 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1s vs Olympus SZ-12 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Portrait photography highlights
Olympus SZ-12 Portrait photography highlights
60
manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focus
supports RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
34
good resolution (14MP)
features face detect focusing
no manual focus
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Street photography advice
Olympus SZ-12 Street photography advice
74
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
screen is fixed
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (226 grams)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s as a Sports photography camera
Olympus SZ-12 as a Sports photography camera
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
slow fps (3.0 fps)
MP count low (12MP)
not so great battery pack (290 shots)
lacks phase detect auto focus
41
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (14MP)
features tracking focus
low frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (220 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PL1s
Travel photography with Olympus SZ-12
52
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
not so great battery pack (290 CIPA)
MP count low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
65
lighter than competition (226g)
good resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
missing Timelapse function
terrible battery life (220 CIPA)
does not feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Landscape photography advice
Olympus SZ-12 Landscape photography advice
55
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
small screen (2.7")
MP count low (12MP)
not so great battery pack (290 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse mode
40
relatively wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (14MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
manual mode not available
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
terrible battery life (220 per charge)
missing Timelapse function
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PL1s
Vlogging with Olympus SZ-12
30
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focus
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone port
31
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detect focusing
lighter than competition (226 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
does not feature selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone port
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Olympus E-PL1s vs Olympus SZ-12 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1s and Olympus SZ-12
 Olympus PEN E-PL1sOlympus SZ-12
General Information
Make Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL1s Olympus SZ-12
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2010-11-16 2012-01-10
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Truepic V -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 6400 1600
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 11 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-600mm (24.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.0-6.9
Available lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1700 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 10.00 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 334 grams (0.74 lbs) 226 grams (0.50 lbs)
Physical dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 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 290 photos 220 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-1 LI-50B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $599 $350