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Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus SH-2

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Olympus Stylus SH-2 front
Portability
88
Imaging
41
Features
51
Overall
45

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus SH-2 Key Specs

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
  • Introduced January 2012
Olympus SH-2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 271g - 109 x 63 x 42mm
  • Launched March 2015
  • Previous Model is Olympus SH-1
  • Later Model is Olympus SH-3
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus SH-2 Overview

Let's take a more detailed look at the Olympus SZ-12 versus Olympus SH-2, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and both are offered by Olympus. The image resolution of the SZ-12 (14MP) and the SH-2 (16MP) is relatively close and both cameras posses the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SZ-12 was launched 4 years before the SH-2 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the SZ-12 grades against the SH-2 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Olympus SH-2

 SZ-12 SH-2 

Reasons to pick Olympus SH-2 over the Olympus SZ-12

 SH-2 SZ-12 
LaunchedMarch 2015January 2012Newer by 38 months
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Olympus SH-2

 SZ-12 SH-2 
Focus manually No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Screen resolution460k460kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus SH-2 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to travel with your camera, you need to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus SZ-12 provides outer measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Olympus SH-2 has sizing of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs).

Check out the Olympus SZ-12 versus Olympus SH-2 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are working with at that time. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the SZ-12 versus the SH-2.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus SH-2 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-12 and SH-2 is 89 and 88 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus SH-2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus SH-2 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by viewing technical specs. The image below will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-12 and SH-2.

As you have seen, both cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Olympus SH-2 to render greater detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures way more aggressively. The more aged SZ-12 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus SH-2 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus SH-2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus SH-2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus SH-2 as a Portrait photography camera
33
good MP (14 megapixels)
has face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
44
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
supports face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
no manual focus
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Street photography info
Olympus SH-2 Street photography info
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (226g)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
70
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW formats
has focus by touch
lighter than others (271 grams)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Sports photography details
Olympus SH-2 Sports photography details
40
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (14MP)
has tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (220 CIPA)
has no phase detect autofocus
51
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
supports tracking focus
great battery pack (380 CIPA)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Travel photography highlights
Olympus SH-2 Travel photography highlights
65
lighter than competitors (226g)
good MP (14MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
not so great battery life (220 per charge)
does not feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
74
great battery pack (380 shots)
lighter than others (271g)
has focus by touch
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Landscape photography advice
Olympus SH-2 Landscape photography advice
40
relatively wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual exposure
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
not so great battery life (220 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse mode
55
reasonably wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
supports RAW formats
great battery pack (380 CIPA)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Vlogging highlights
Olympus SH-2 Vlogging highlights
31
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detection autofocus
lighter than competitors (226 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
does not feature selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic port
35
reasonably wide (25mm)
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (271 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of microphone socket
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus SH-2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Olympus SH-2
 Olympus SZ-12Olympus Stylus SH-2
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus SZ-12 Olympus Stylus SH-2
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2012-01-10 2015-03-11
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - TruePic VII
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4288 x 3216 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 125
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.0-6.9
Macro focusing range - 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1700 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 11.5 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 8.30 m (at ISO 3200)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
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), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226 grams (0.50 pounds) 271 grams (0.60 pounds)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7")
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 220 photographs 380 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B LI-92B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $350 $399