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Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus TG-5

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Olympus Tough TG-5 front
Portability
90
Imaging
38
Features
51
Overall
43

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus TG-5 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-5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 12800)
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 250g - 113 x 66 x 32mm
  • Announced May 2017
  • Succeeded the Olympus TG-4
  • Newer Model is Olympus TG-6
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus TG-5 Overview

The following is a extended comparison of the Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus TG-5, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Waterproof and both are manufactured by Olympus. The resolution of the SZ-12 (14MP) and the TG-5 (12MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras provide the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ-12 was manufactured 6 years before the TG-5 which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving into a complete comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the SZ-12 matches up against the TG-5 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Olympus TG-5

 SZ-12 TG-5 

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-5 over the Olympus SZ-12

 TG-5 SZ-12 
AnnouncedMay 2017January 2012Newer by 65 months
Focus manually Very accurate focusing

Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Olympus TG-5

 SZ-12 TG-5 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Screen resolution460k460kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus TG-5 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to travel with your camera, you will want to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-12 offers exterior measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") along with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Olympus TG-5 has proportions of 113mm x 66mm x 32mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs).

Examine the Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus TG-5 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are using at that time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the SZ-12 compared to the TG-5.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus TG-5 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ-12 and TG-5 is 89 and 90 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus TG-5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus TG-5 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be hard to visualise the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by looking at technical specs. The image here will offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-12 and TG-5.

As you can tell, each of these cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Olympus SZ-12 to give you greater detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs way more aggressively. The more aged SZ-12 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus TG-5 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus TG-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus TG-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus TG-5 as a Portrait photography camera
33
good resolution (14 megapixels)
includes face detection focusing
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
39
has manual focus
supports face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
no manual control
no external flash support
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SZ-12
Street photography with Olympus TG-5
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average (226 grams)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
64
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
more heavy than average (250 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Sports photography features
Olympus TG-5 Sports photography features
40
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (14MP)
includes tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery pack (220 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
46
fast continuous shooting (20.0 fps)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proofing
better than average battery power (340 shots)
lack of shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Travel photography factors
Olympus TG-5 Travel photography factors
65
lighter than average (226 grams)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
no Time Lapse function
low battery pack (220 shots)
does not posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
68
better than average battery power (340 shots)
weather proofing
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
more heavy than average (250g)
low megapixels (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus TG-5 as a Landscape photography camera
40
fairly wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
low battery pack (220 shots)
no Time Lapse function
57
has manual focus
really wide (25mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
better than average battery power (340 CIPA)
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
no manual control
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Vlogging details
Olympus TG-5 Vlogging details
31
fairly wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection focusing
lighter than average (226g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
does not posses selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic socket
34
really wide (25mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detection autofocus
great video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
does not have external microphone port
more heavy than average (250 grams)
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus TG-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Olympus TG-5
 Olympus SZ-12Olympus Tough TG-5
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus SZ-12 Olympus Tough TG-5
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Launched 2012-01-10 2017-05-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - TruePic VIII
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 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 12800
Highest boosted ISO - 12800
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Minimum boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 25
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/2.0-4.9
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/1700s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 20.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, redeye slow sync, fill, manual, 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) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226g (0.50 lbs) 250g (0.55 lbs)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 113 x 66 x 32mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 220 photos 340 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B LI-92B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I compatible)
Storage slots Single Single
Launch pricing $350 $449