Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus Tough-3000
89 Imaging
37 Features
36 Overall
36


94 Imaging
35 Features
26 Overall
31
Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus Tough-3000 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus Tough-3000 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus SZ-12 & Olympus Stylus Tough-3000. The entire galleries are provided at Olympus SZ-12 Gallery & Olympus Tough-3000 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Olympus Tough-3000
SZ-12 | Tough-3000 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | January 2012 | ![]() | January 2010 | More modern by 25 months |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus Tough-3000 Specifications
Olympus SZ-12 | Olympus 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 |