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Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus TG-830 iHS

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Olympus TG-830 iHS front
Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
40
Overall
40

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus TG-830 iHS 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 TG-830 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.9-5.9) lens
  • 214g - 109 x 67 x 28mm
  • Released January 2013
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus TG-830 iHS Overview

In this article, we will be analyzing the Olympus SZ-12 versus Olympus TG-830 iHS, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Waterproof and both of them are offered by Olympus. The resolution of the SZ-12 (14MP) and the TG-830 iHS (16MP) is pretty close and they possess the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ-12 was unveiled 12 months earlier than the TG-830 iHS and they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving through a detailed comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the SZ-12 matches up against the TG-830 iHS for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Olympus TG-830 iHS

 SZ-12 TG-830 iHS 

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-830 iHS over the Olympus SZ-12

 TG-830 iHS SZ-12 
ReleasedJanuary 2013January 2012More recent by 12 months

Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Olympus TG-830 iHS

 SZ-12 TG-830 iHS 
Manually focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Screen resolution460k460kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus TG-830 iHS Physical Comparison

If you're looking to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-12 provides external measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") and a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Olympus TG-830 iHS has dimensions of 109mm x 67mm x 28mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.1") and a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus SZ-12 versus Olympus TG-830 iHS in the latest Camera with 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 are employing at the time. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the SZ-12 compared to the TG-830 iHS.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus TG-830 iHS size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-12 and TG-830 iHS is 89 and 91 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus TG-830 iHS top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus TG-830 iHS Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very difficult to see the contrast in sensor measurements merely by researching specs. The photograph below will help offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-12 and TG-830 iHS.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Olympus TG-830 iHS to render extra detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The older SZ-12 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus TG-830 iHS sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus TG-830 iHS Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus TG-830 iHS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-12
Portrait photography with Olympus TG-830 iHS
33
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
supports face detect focus
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
35
decent MP (16MP)
features face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Street photography factors
Olympus TG-830 iHS Street photography factors
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (226g)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather sealing
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus TG-830 iHS as a Sports photography camera
40
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
low fps (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (220 CIPA)
does not have phase detect auto focus
48
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
weather sealing
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Travel photography highlights
Olympus TG-830 iHS Travel photography highlights
65
lighter than competition (226 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
terrible battery life (220 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
67
weather sealing
decent MP (16MP)
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse mode
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Landscape photography highlights
Olympus TG-830 iHS Landscape photography highlights
40
reasonably wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
manual mode not available
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
terrible battery life (220 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
45
really wide (28mm)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16MP)
weather sealing
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
lack of manual mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
missing Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Vlogging camera
Olympus TG-830 iHS as a Vlogging camera
31
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect focus
lighter than competition (226g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic jack
33
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
missing microphone port
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus TG-830 iHS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Olympus TG-830 iHS
 Olympus SZ-12Olympus TG-830 iHS
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus SZ-12 Olympus TG-830 iHS
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Launched 2012-01-10 2013-01-08
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD 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 14 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4288 x 3216 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.9-5.9
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1700 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226 gr (0.50 lb) 214 gr (0.47 lb)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 109 x 67 x 28mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.1")
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 shots 300 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B LI-50B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Pricing at launch $350 $0