Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus SZ-12
89 Imaging
52 Features
63 Overall
56
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89 Imaging
37 Features
36 Overall
36
Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus SZ-12 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 200 - 25600
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 269g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
- Announced May 2013
- Succeeded the Olympus E-PM1
(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
- Revealed January 2012
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus SZ-12 Overview
Here is a in depth review of the Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus SZ-12, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both manufactured by Olympus. The resolution of the E-PM2 (16MP) and the SZ-12 (14MP) is pretty well matched but the E-PM2 (Four Thirds) and SZ-12 (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor sizes.
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The E-PM2 was revealed 17 months later than the SZ-12 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. The two cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus SZ-12 being a Compact camera.
Before we go in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a short introduction of how the E-PM2 matches up against the SZ-12 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus SZ-12 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus PEN E-PM2 & Olympus SZ-12. The full galleries are viewable at Olympus E-PM2 Gallery & Olympus SZ-12 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Olympus SZ-12
E-PM2 | SZ-12 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | May 2013 | ![]() | January 2012 | Fresher by 17 months |
Manually focus | ![]() | More accurate focus | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Olympus E-PM2
SZ-12 | E-PM2 |
---|
Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Olympus SZ-12
E-PM2 | SZ-12 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical screen dimensions |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 460k | Same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen |
Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus SZ-12 Physical Comparison
For those who are intending to carry your camera frequently, you need to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PM2 comes with physical measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) whilst the Olympus SZ-12 has measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs).
Take a look at the Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus SZ-12 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are using at the time. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the E-PM2 and the SZ-12.
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Considering size and weight, the portability score of the E-PM2 and SZ-12 is 89 and 89 respectively.
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus SZ-12 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it can be difficult to envision the contrast between sensor sizing only by checking technical specs. The visual here should provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PM2 and SZ-12.
As you have seen, the 2 cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-PM2 having a bigger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field easier and the Olympus E-PM2 will give extra detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The newer E-PM2 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus SZ-12 Screen and ViewFinder
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Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
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Street Comparison
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Sports Comparison
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Travel Comparison
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Landscape Comparison
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Vlogging Comparison
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus SZ-12 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PM2 | Olympus SZ-12 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Olympus |
Model | Olympus PEN E-PM2 | Olympus SZ-12 |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Announced | 2013-05-21 | 2012-01-10 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | - |
Max resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4288 x 3216 |
Max native ISO | 25600 | 1600 |
Minimum native ISO | 200 | 80 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | 35 | - |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | - | 25-600mm (24.0x) |
Maximal aperture | - | f/3.0-6.9 |
Amount of lenses | 107 | - |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of display | 460k dot | 460k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Display tech | - | TFT Color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60 seconds | 4 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/1700 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 8.0 frames per second | 1.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) | - |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | 1/250 seconds | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 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 | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | 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 | 269g (0.59 lb) | 226g (0.50 lb) |
Dimensions | 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") | 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 72 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | 22.7 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | 12.2 | not tested |
DXO Low light score | 932 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 360 images | 220 images |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | BLS-5 | LI-50B |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Pricing at release | $448 | $350 |