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Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus Tough-3000

Portability
89
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Olympus Stylus Tough-3000 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
26
Overall
31

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus Tough-3000 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
  • Launched January 2012
Olympus Tough-3000
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-102mm (F3.5-5.1) lens
  • 159g - 96 x 65 x 23mm
  • Launched January 2010
  • Also referred to as mju Tough 3000
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus Tough-3000 Overview

On this page, we are evaluating the Olympus SZ-12 and Olympus Tough-3000, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Waterproof and both are created by Olympus. The image resolution of the SZ-12 (14MP) and the Tough-3000 (12MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras provide the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ-12 was brought out 2 years after the Tough-3000 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting right into a thorough comparison, here is a brief overview of how the SZ-12 grades versus the Tough-3000 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Olympus Tough-3000

 SZ-12 Tough-3000 
LaunchedJanuary 2012January 2010More modern by 25 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus Tough-3000 over the Olympus SZ-12

 Tough-3000 SZ-12 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Olympus Tough-3000

 SZ-12 Tough-3000 
Manual focus No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus Tough-3000 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry around your camera regularly, you have to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus SZ-12 has got exterior dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") having a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Olympus Tough-3000 has sizing of 96mm x 65mm x 23mm (3.8" x 2.6" x 0.9") having a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Check the Olympus SZ-12 and Olympus Tough-3000 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the SZ-12 versus the Tough-3000.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus Tough-3000 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-12 and Tough-3000 is 89 and 94 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus Tough-3000 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus Tough-3000 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be difficult to visualize the difference in sensor sizes just by seeing technical specs. The image below might give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-12 and Tough-3000.

As you can tell, each of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different megapixels. You can anticipate the Olympus SZ-12 to show greater detail having its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images a bit more aggressively. The more modern SZ-12 provides an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus Tough-3000 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus Tough-3000 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus Tough-3000 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus Tough-3000 as a Portrait photography camera
34
good resolution (14 megapixels)
includes face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
21
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Street photography advice
Olympus Tough-3000 Street photography advice
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (226 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
62
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment sealing
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Sports photography information
Olympus Tough-3000 Sports photography information
41
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery (220 per charge)
lacks phase detect AF
36
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes tracking autofocus
environment sealing
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SZ-12
Travel photography with Olympus Tough-3000
65
lighter than competitors (226g)
good resolution (14MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
no Timelapse mode
not so great battery (220 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
61
environment sealing
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse function
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-12
Landscape photography with Olympus Tough-3000
40
fairly wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (14MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
manual mode not available
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
not so great battery (220 shots)
no Timelapse mode
35
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment sealing
focusing manually not possible
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual control
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
no Time Lapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SZ-12
Vlogging with Olympus Tough-3000
31
fairly wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection focusing
lighter than competitors (226 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external microphone socket
28
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic support
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus Tough-3000 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Olympus Tough-3000
 Olympus SZ-12Olympus Stylus Tough-3000
General Information
Brand Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus SZ-12 Olympus Stylus Tough-3000
Also called as - mju Tough 3000
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Launched 2012-01-10 2010-01-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - TruePic III
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4288 x 3216 3968 x 2976
Highest native ISO 1600 1600
Min native ISO 80 64
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
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) 28-102mm (3.6x)
Highest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.5-5.1
Macro focusing range - 2cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1700 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 4.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226g (0.50 pounds) 159g (0.35 pounds)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 96 x 65 x 23mm (3.8" x 2.6" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 pictures -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch cost $350 $0