Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus TG-850 iHS
Portability
89 Imaging
37 Features
36 Overall
36
89 Imaging
37 Features
36 Overall
36
Portability
91 Imaging
40 Features
44 Overall
41
91 Imaging
40 Features
44 Overall
41
Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus TG-850 iHS Key Specs
Olympus SZ-12
(Full Review)
(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 TG-850 iHS
(Full Review)
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 125 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 21-105mm (F3.5-5.7) lens
- 218g - 110 x 64 x 28mm
- Released January 2014
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In this write-up, we will be reviewing the Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus TG-850 iHS, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Waterproof and both are produced by Olympus. The image resolution of the SZ-12 (14MP) and the TG-850 iHS (16MP) is pretty well matched and they enjoy the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a LandslideThe SZ-12 was manufactured 3 years before the TG-850 iHS and that is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before delving in to a full comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the SZ-12 scores vs the TG-850 iHS when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
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Below is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus SZ-12 & Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS. The entire galleries are provided at Olympus SZ-12 Gallery & Olympus TG-850 iHS Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Olympus TG-850 iHS
| SZ-12 | TG-850 iHS |
|---|
Reasons to pick Olympus TG-850 iHS over the Olympus SZ-12
| TG-850 iHS | SZ-12 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Released | January 2014 |  | January 2012 | More recent by 25 months |
| Screen type | Tilting |  | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Olympus TG-850 iHS
| SZ-12 | TG-850 iHS | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus |  | No manual focusing | ||
| Screen sizing | 3" |  | 3" | Equivalent screen sizing |
| Screen resolution | 460k |  | 460k | The same screen resolution |
| Selfie screen |  | Neither offers selfie screen | ||
| Touch screen |  | Neither offers Touch screen |
Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus TG-850 iHS Physical Comparison
For anybody who is planning to lug around your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-12 offers exterior dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") and a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Olympus TG-850 iHS has specifications of 110mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") with a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs).
Check out the Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus TG-850 iHS in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you choose at the time. Below is the front view scale comparison of the SZ-12 vs the TG-850 iHS.
Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-12 and TG-850 iHS is 89 and 91 respectively.
Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus TG-850 iHS Sensor Comparison
Typically, it can be tough to envision the difference between sensor measurements simply by looking at technical specs. The photograph here will give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-12 and TG-850 iHS.
As you have seen, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Olympus TG-850 iHS to give more detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures far more aggressively. The older SZ-12 is going to be behind in sensor tech.
Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus TG-850 iHS Screen and ViewFinder
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Portrait Comparison
Olympus SZ-12 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus TG-850 iHS as a Portrait photography camera
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
includes face detection focusing
manual focus not available
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
features face detection focus
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Olympus SZ-12 Street photography highlights
Olympus TG-850 iHS Street photography highlights
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (226g)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Optical)
weather proof
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesSports Comparison
Olympus SZ-12 Sports photography advice
Olympus TG-850 iHS Sports photography advice
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (14MP)
includes tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (220 shots)
no phase detect AF
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
weather proof
better than average battery life (330 CIPA)
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel photography with Olympus SZ-12
Travel photography with Olympus TG-850 iHS
lighter than average in class (226g)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
not so great battery pack (220 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
better than average battery life (330 shots)
weather proof
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (21mm)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or banLandscape Comparison
Olympus SZ-12 Landscape photography highlights
Olympus TG-850 iHS Landscape photography highlights
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
no manual control
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
not so great battery pack (220 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
rather wide (21mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
weather proof
better than average battery life (330 shots)
no manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not available
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
Photography GlossaryVlogging Comparison
Olympus SZ-12 as a Vlogging camera
Olympus TG-850 iHS as a Vlogging camera
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection focusing
lighter than average in class (226 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone support
rather wide (21mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of external mic socket
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus TG-850 iHS Specifications
| Olympus SZ-12 | Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Manufacturer | Olympus | Olympus |
| Model type | Olympus SZ-12 | Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS |
| Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Waterproof |
| Introduced | 2012-01-10 | 2014-01-29 |
| Physical type | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Powered by | - | TruePic VII |
| Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
| Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
| Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 14MP | 16MP |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Peak resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 4616 x 3464 |
| Highest native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
| Lowest native ISO | 80 | 125 |
| RAW files | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focusing | ||
| Touch focus | ||
| AF continuous | ||
| AF single | ||
| Tracking AF | ||
| AF selectice | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| Multi area AF | ||
| Live view AF | ||
| 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) | 21-105mm (5.0x) |
| Largest aperture | f/3.0-6.9 | f/3.5-5.7 |
| Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
| Screen size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
| Screen resolution | 460 thousand dots | 460 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch operation | ||
| Screen technology | TFT Color LCD | TFT LCD |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 4 secs | 1/2 secs |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/1700 secs | 1/2000 secs |
| Continuous shutter rate | 1.0fps | 7.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Change WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | - |
| External flash | ||
| AEB | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment metering | ||
| Average metering | ||
| Spot metering | ||
| Partial metering | ||
| AF area metering | ||
| Center weighted metering | ||
| 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 (60p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
| Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | H.264, Motion JPEG |
| Mic port | ||
| Headphone port | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | None | Yes |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environment sealing | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 226g (0.50 pounds) | 218g (0.48 pounds) |
| Dimensions | 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") | 110 x 64 x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") |
| 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 photos | 330 photos |
| Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | LI-50B | LI-50B |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) | Yes (2 sec, 12 sec, Custom Self-Timer (1-30 sec start timer, 1-10 pictures, 1-3 sec interval)) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory |
| Card slots | 1 | 1 |
| Pricing at release | $350 | $250 |