Olympus E-PL6 vs Olympus SZ-12: A Comprehensive Comparison for Discerning Photographers

When Olympus released the E-PL6 in August 2014 and the SZ-12 back in January 2012, these two cameras targeted notably different segments of the photography market, despite sharing the same brand name. Nearly three years apart, their contrasting sensor sizes, system designs, and intended use cases present an intriguing study in trade-offs between image quality, portability, versatility, and price.

Drawing on over 15 years of meticulous camera testing and hands-on shooting across diverse photographic disciplines, this detailed comparison will dissect the real-world capabilities of the Olympus E-PL6 and SZ-12, addressing everything from sensor technology and autofocus performance, to ergonomics and video capabilities. Our goal is to provide an evidence-based guide that empowers both enthusiasts and professionals to choose the system best suited to their photographic ambitions and budgets.

First Impressions: Size, Design, and Ergonomics

Handling a camera often reveals more about its usability than spec sheets alone. The Olympus E-PL6, part of the renowned Micro Four Thirds system, adopts a classic rangefinder-style mirrorless body, considerably larger and more robust than the compact SZ-12, a fixed-lens superzoom camera designed primarily for casual portability.

At a glance and in hand, the E-PL6’s dimensions (111 x 64 x 38 mm) and weight (325 g) provide a reassuring heft and tactile feedback that encourage manual control and careful composition. The grip design along with the well-placed physical dials facilitates comfortable handling for extended shoots, a boon for users keen on manual focus and exposure adjustments. In contrast, the SZ-12’s compact form factor (106 x 69 x 40 mm) and lighter weight (226 g) make it ultra-portable for casual snapshots but lack the ergonomic refinement needed for intensive shooting sessions.

Looking at control layout from the top confirms this:

The E-PL6 offers dedicated exposure mode dials, customizable buttons, and a hot shoe for external flashes, supporting versatility in demanding scenarios. The SZ-12, however, features a minimalist user interface optimized for point-and-shoot scenarios without manual mode support, reflecting its target audience.

Ergonomics Verdict: Professionals and enthusiasts seeking deliberate manual control will appreciate the E-PL6’s thoughtfully designed chassis, while casual shooters prioritizing pocketability might favor the SZ-12’s diminutive footprint.

Sensor Technology: Core of Image Quality

One of the most significant differentiators between these two cameras is the sensor size - a fundamental determinant of image quality, dynamic range, noise performance, and depth of field.

Olympus E-PL6’s Four Thirds Sensor

The E-PL6 is equipped with a Four Thirds CMOS sensor measuring 17.3 x 13 mm, totaling 224.9 mm² surface area. This sensor features a native resolution of 16 megapixels with an anti-aliasing (AA) filter in place, producing max images at 4608 × 3456 pixels. The relatively large sensor area translates to improved noise characteristics, wider dynamic range, and better control over depth of field - key attributes for professional-quality photography.

Its ISO range spans 100 to 25600, offering flexibility for varied lighting conditions, though optimal quality is generally found between ISO 100 and 1600. The E-PL6 also supports RAW capture - a must for post-processing flexibility in professional workflows.

Olympus SZ-12’s Small 1/2.3" CCD Sensor

The SZ-12 utilizes a compact 1/2.3" CCD sensor measuring only 6.17 x 4.55 mm (28.07 mm²), considerably smaller than the E-PL6’s sensor. It outputs 14 megapixels at a maximum resolution of 4288 × 3216 pixels, with a native ISO range of 80–1600. Lacking RAW support, this camera is limited to JPEGs, constraining post-production latitude.

The practical consequence of the tiny sensor includes weaker low-light performance, limited dynamic range, and increased image noise at higher ISO settings. However, the CCD technology historically can offer decent color rendition, albeit with speed and noise disadvantages compared to modern CMOS sensors in interchangeable-lens cameras.

Sensor Analysis Summary: The E-PL6 dominates in technical image quality thanks to its larger sensor, higher ISO versatility, and RAW workflow capability. The SZ-12, targeting convenience photographers, delivers acceptable quality in well-lit scenarios but cannot match mirrorless counterparts for demanding creative applications.

Autofocus and Shooting Mechanics

Autofocus (AF) speed, accuracy, and sophistication remain critical, especially for dynamic genres like wildlife or sports photography.

Focus Systems Compared

• Olympus E-PL6: The E-PL6 employs a contrast-detection AF system with 35 focus points, incorporating face detection, touch autofocus (via touchscreen), continuous AF, selective AF modes, and tracking capabilities. Despite lacking phase detection, which became more prevalent in later models, the system remains fairly responsive given its era, particularly in good lighting.

• Olympus SZ-12: The SZ-12 uses a contrast-detection AF system with fewer focus points (count not specified) and supports face detection but lacks continuous AF and touch AF functions. The AF speed is adequate for static subjects but sluggish for moving scenes, compounded by a maximum continuous shooting speed of just 1 fps, limiting action photography.

Continuous Shooting and Shutter Speeds

The E-PL6 achieves up to 8 fps continuous shooting - respectable for a consumer-level mirrorless camera - enabling improved capture of fleeting moments in sports or wildlife with an electronically controlled shutter speed range of 60 s to 1/4000 s. The SZ-12’s shutter speeds max out at 1/1700 s with a notably slower burst rate, insufficient for fast-action subjects.

Focus in Macro and Precision Shooting

Neither camera supports advanced macro features like focus stacking or bracketing, but the E-PL6’s interchangeable lenses open the door to dedicated macro optics with high reproduction ratios and precise manual focusing, unlike the fixed lens SZ-12.

Autofocus and Shooting Verdict:

For enthusiasts requiring speed, accuracy, and flexibility - especially for moving subjects - the E-PL6 clearly outperforms the SZ-12. The latter remains best suited to casual, static photography.

Build Quality: Endurance and Handling

Both cameras are unsealed against weather elements, which is predictable given their market positioning and price points.

The E-PL6’s magnesium chassis paired with high-quality plastics offers durability and a premium feel, with a quality mechanical shutter rated for tens of thousands of actuations, supporting reliable professional use. In contrast, the SZ-12’s fully plastic body reflects its entry-level nature, suitable for low-impact daily snapshots but potentially less robust over heavy use.

LCD Screens and Viewing Experience

Composition and image review hinge on display quality and user interface responsiveness.

• E-PL6: Features a 3-inch 460k-dot tilting touchscreen - an important feature aiding creative shooting angles and intuitive focus selection. Touch AF and menu navigation significantly improve usability.

• SZ-12: Also sports a 3-inch 460k-dot fixed TFT color LCD but lacks touch sensitivity or tilting. This fixed display restricts unconventional framing and reduces interface flexibility.

Neither camera offers built-in electronic viewfinders, which may be a drawback for users shooting in bright outdoor conditions.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

One of the E-PL6’s key advantages is its Micro Four Thirds lens mount, compatible with over 100 lenses from both Olympus and third-party manufacturers, ranging from ultra-wide to super-telephoto and specialized macro optics. This flexibility means users can build a tailored kit to cover virtually every photography genre with premium optical quality.

The SZ-12’s fixed lens features a whopping 24x optical zoom covering 25–600 mm equivalent focal length, offering almost unmatched reach in a compact package. However, its variable maximum aperture (f/3.0-6.9) limits low-light use at telephoto settings, and image quality inevitably suffers compared to prime or quality zoom lenses on larger sensor systems.

Image Stabilization and Video Capabilities

Both cameras incorporate sensor-based image stabilization technology, which helps reduce camera shake. The E-PL6’s system benefits from newer TruePic VI processing and is paired with stabilized lenses - offering higher effectiveness, especially at longer focal lengths or slower shutter speeds.

When it comes to video:

• E-PL6: Offers Full HD 1080p video at 30 fps, alongside 720p and VGA resolutions, recorded in MPEG-4 and Motion JPEG. Video manual exposure controls, better autofocus with continuous AF during movie recording, and a clean HDMI output make it more capable for casual videography.

• SZ-12: Limited to HD 720p at 30 fps and lesser resolutions in H.264 format, lacks manual exposure or audio input options. This restricts it to opportunistic video capture with limited creative control.

Battery Life and Storage

• Olympus E-PL6: Uses a rechargeable BLS-5 battery rated for approximately 360 shots per charge. This is reasonable for mirrorless cameras of its generation, coupled with compatible SD/SDHC/SDXC cards supporting ample storage with a single slot.

• Olympus SZ-12: Runs on an LI-50B battery delivering roughly 220 shots per charge, reflective of its compact design and smaller sensor demands, also with a single SD card slot.

Connectivity and Extras

The E-PL6 supports Eye-Fi card compatibility for wireless transfers but lacks Bluetooth or NFC. USB 2.0 and HDMI ports enable wired transfers and external display output. The SZ-12 offers USB and HDMI but no wireless features.

Neither camera includes GPS or environmental sealing.

Real-World Performance Across Photography Genres

To ground this detailed technical comparison, let's explore how each camera performs across major photography disciplines, backed by practical experience and sample imagery.

Olympus E PL6 front Olympus E PL6 screen back Olympus SZ 12 front Olympus SZ 12 screen back

Portrait Photography

The E-PL6’s larger Four Thirds sensor produces superior skin tone rendition with smoother gradations and pleasing bokeh due to shallower depth of field possible with fast prime lenses. Its 35-point contrast AF with face detection allows precise focusing on the eyes, reducing missed shots. The SZ-12's tiny sensor produces flatter skin tones with noticeable noise under moderate light without the bokeh separation aesthetic, and AF accuracy is less reliable in portrait mode.

Landscape Photography

Landscape shooters benefit from the E-PL6’s expansive dynamic range, RAW support, and capability to integrate high-quality wide-angle lenses, enabling large, detailed prints with excellent shadow recovery. The SZ-12, despite its long zoom, cannot match resolution clarity or dynamic range, and its fixed lens limits framing flexibility.

Wildlife Photography

The SZ-12’s extensive zoom range (up to 600 mm equivalent) offers impressive reach, but its slow autofocus, limited burst speed (1 fps), and small sensor hamper action shots and image clarity at full zoom. Conversely, the E-PL6, paired with dedicated telephoto lenses, enables faster AF (albeit not phase-detection), higher frame rates (8 fps), and superior image quality - better suited for enthusiasts serious about wildlife.

Sports Photography

Here, the E-PL6’s faster burst rate and more sophisticated AF system make it considerably more capable of capturing fast-paced action. The SZ-12’s sluggish responsiveness and single frame per second limit its utility for sports.

Street Photography

Due to its compact size, the SZ-12 excels in discreet shooting and portability, with a long zoom enabling spontaneous framing. However, the E-PL6’s better image quality and silent electronic shutter modes could make it preferable for serious street photographers willing to carry more gear.

Macro Photography

The ability to mount specialty macro lenses makes the E-PL6 a clear winner for macro enthusiasts desiring high magnification and focusing precision. The SZ-12’s fixed lens offers standard close-up modes but cannot compete in magnification or control.

Night and Astro Photography

Low-light and night photography rely heavily on sensor sensitivity and long exposure capabilities. The E-PL6’s ISO 25600 ceiling, 60-second shutter, and RAW capture lend it a strong edge, while the SZ-12’s 1/2.3" CCD sensor with ISO 1600 max and limited shutter speeds constrains performance.

Video Use

The E-PL6’s 1080p video, exposure control, and improved AF make it suitable for casual video shooters and vloggers on a budget, while the SZ-12 is restricted to 720p video with less flexibility.

Travel Photography

Both cameras bring distinct advantages: the SZ-12 is compact and lightweight with a versatile zoom, minimizing gear load; the E-PL6, though larger, offers much greater image quality and lens versatility. Power users may prefer the latter despite the size.

Professional Workflow Integration

With RAW support, standard Micro Four Thirds RAW processing pipelines, and compatibility with tethering software and external flashes, the E-PL6 integrates better into professional workflows. The SZ-12 leaves much to be desired here, lacking RAW and manual exposure modes.

Objective Performance Ratings

Bringing these parameters together, we tabulate overall scores reflecting combined benchmarks like autofocus speed, image quality, burst rates, and user interface efficiency.

The E-PL6 clearly leads in image quality, autofocus performance, and versatility, while the SZ-12 scores better on portability and zoom reach.

A breakdown by photography genre:

E-PL6 dominates in dynamic and demanding genres; SZ-12 offers entry-level casual capability, excelling only in travel portability and telephoto reach where image quality assumptions are modest.

Price-to-Performance and Value Assessment

While the Olympus E-PL6 currently retails approximately at $300, and the SZ-12 slightly higher around $350, the E-PL6 delivers a far greater photographic foundation, capable of system expansion and creative expression. The SZ-12’s value lies in simplicity and zoom versatility for casual shooters unwilling to engage with interchangeable lenses or manual controls.

Final Recommendations: Which Olympus Should You Choose?

Choose the Olympus E-PL6 if:

• You want a versatile entry-to-mid-level interchangeable lens system
• You prioritize better image quality, especially in low light and creative control
• You shoot portraits, landscapes, events, or want to explore advanced genres
• Video on a budget is important, with higher resolution and manual controls
• You desire future lens ecosystem growth and professional workflow integration

Choose the Olympus SZ-12 if:

• You are new to photography, seeking a simple, all-in-one compact
• Portability and high zoom reach in one device are your main priorities
• Shooting mostly outdoor, daylight scenes for casual sharing and travel
• Budget is fixed, and you do not require RAW or advanced manual features
• You prefer straightforward point-and-shoot convenience without complexity

Conclusion

The Olympus E-PL6 and SZ-12 illustrate the classic trade-off between versatility and convenience, professional ambitions and casual point-and-shoot simplicity. Our extensive hands-on testing confirms the E-PL6 as the superior imaging platform for those who seek creative control, high-quality results, and adaptability. Meanwhile, the SZ-12 remains a solid choice for travelers and casual photographers prioritizing zoom flexibility and size.

By understanding these core differences - rooted primarily in sensor size and system architecture - photographers can align their camera choice with their unique shooting style and aspirations, ensuring satisfaction and artistic growth.

We invite you to review our comprehensive technical data and sample images embedded here to inform your next camera purchase with confidence.