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Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Olympus SZ-12

Portability
69
Imaging
37
Features
35
Overall
36
Olympus SP-800 UZ front
 
Olympus SZ-12 front
Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36

Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Olympus SZ-12 Key Specs

Olympus SP-800 UZ
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 3200 (Raise to 1000)
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-840mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
  • 455g - 110 x 90 x 91mm
  • Launched February 2010
  • Replacement is Olympus SP-810 UZ
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
  • Launched January 2012
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Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Olympus SZ-12 Overview

Here, we will be looking at the Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Olympus SZ-12, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and both are built by Olympus. The image resolution of the SP-800 UZ (14MP) and the SZ-12 (14MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras posses the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SP-800 UZ was unveiled 23 months prior to the SZ-12 which makes them a generation away from one another. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the SP-800 UZ matches up vs the SZ-12 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-800 UZ over the Olympus SZ-12

 SP-800 UZ SZ-12 

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Olympus SP-800 UZ

 SZ-12 SP-800 UZ 
LaunchedJanuary 2012February 2010More modern by 23 months
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SP-800 UZ and Olympus SZ-12

 SP-800 UZ SZ-12 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Olympus SZ-12 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry around your camera frequently, you'll have to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus SP-800 UZ offers external measurements of 110mm x 90mm x 91mm (4.3" x 3.5" x 3.6") and a weight of 455 grams (1.00 lbs) while the Olympus SZ-12 has sizing of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs).

Compare the Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Olympus SZ-12 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the SP-800 UZ compared to the SZ-12.

Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Olympus SZ-12 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SP-800 UZ and SZ-12 is 69 and 89 respectively.

Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Olympus SZ-12 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Olympus SZ-12 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be hard to visualise the gap in sensor sizes just by seeing specifications. The picture below should give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SP-800 UZ and SZ-12.

Plainly, the 2 cameras come with the identical sensor size and the same megapixels therefore you should expect comparable quality of photos although you would want to consider the production date of the cameras into account. The more aged SP-800 UZ will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Olympus SZ-12 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Olympus SZ-12 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Olympus SZ-12 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-800 UZ Portrait photography information
Olympus SZ-12 Portrait photography information
28
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
33
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
comes with face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-800 UZ Street photography factors
Olympus SZ-12 Street photography factors
46
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
60
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (226 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-800 UZ Sports photography factors
Olympus SZ-12 Sports photography factors
47
long zoom range (28-840mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
40
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
bad battery life (220 shots)
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-800 UZ Travel photography highlights
Olympus SZ-12 Travel photography highlights
61
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
great zoom (840mm)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
65
lighter than competitors (226g)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
bad battery life (220 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-800 UZ Landscape photography advice
Olympus SZ-12 Landscape photography advice
41
really wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
40
really wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
no manual control
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
bad battery life (220 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-800 UZ Vlogging advice
Olympus SZ-12 Vlogging advice
24
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone port
31
really wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detection focusing
lighter than competitors (226g)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic support
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Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Olympus SZ-12 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-800 UZ and Olympus SZ-12
 Olympus SP-800 UZOlympus SZ-12
General Information
Brand Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus SP-800 UZ Olympus SZ-12
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2010-02-02 2012-01-10
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic III -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Peak resolution 4288 x 3216 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 3200 1600
Highest enhanced ISO 1000 -
Lowest native ISO 64 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 143 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-840mm (30.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.6 f/3.0-6.9
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 12s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1700s
Continuous shutter rate 10.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.10 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
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)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 455 gr (1.00 lbs) 226 gr (0.50 lbs)
Physical dimensions 110 x 90 x 91mm (4.3" x 3.5" x 3.6") 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 style - Battery Pack
Battery model Li-50B LI-50B
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $270 $350