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Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus VG-145

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Olympus VG-145 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus VG-145 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-12
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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 VG-145
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 120g - 96 x 57 x 19mm
  • Launched July 2011
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus VG-145 Overview

In this article, we are reviewing the Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus VG-145, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Ultracompact and both are produced by Olympus. The image resolution of the SZ-12 (14MP) and the VG-145 (14MP) is very close and they enjoy the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ-12 was brought out 6 months later than the VG-145 so they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SZ-12 being a Compact camera and the Olympus VG-145 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before we go in to a complete comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the SZ-12 matches up vs the VG-145 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Olympus VG-145

 SZ-12 VG-145 
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus VG-145 over the Olympus SZ-12

 VG-145 SZ-12 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Olympus VG-145

 SZ-12 VG-145 
LaunchedJanuary 2012July 2011Same generation
Focus manually No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus VG-145 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera, you are going to need to factor its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-12 enjoys physical dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Olympus VG-145 has specifications of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") and a weight of 120 grams (0.26 lbs).

Examine the Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus VG-145 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the SZ-12 against the VG-145.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus VG-145 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-12 and VG-145 is 89 and 96 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus VG-145 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus VG-145 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be difficult to envision the gap in sensor sizing only by researching specs. The graphic underneath might give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-12 and VG-145.

All in all, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact MP so you should expect comparable quality of photos however you need to consider the production date of the cameras into account.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus VG-145 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus VG-145 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus VG-145 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus VG-145 as a Portrait photography camera
33
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
includes face detection autofocus
no manual focus
no manual mode
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
33
megapixel count good (14MP)
offers face detect focusing
no manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Street photography features
Olympus VG-145 Street photography features
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (226 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
48
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Sports photography details
Olympus VG-145 Sports photography details
40
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
includes tracking autofocus
low fps (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (220 per charge)
has no phase detect autofocus
26
megapixel count good (14MP)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (160 shots)
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Travel photography advice
Olympus VG-145 Travel photography advice
65
lighter than competitors (226 grams)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
terrible battery power (220 CIPA)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
62
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (26mm)
no Timelapse mode
bad battery pack (160 shots)
does not posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus VG-145 as a Landscape photography camera
40
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
no manual mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
terrible battery power (220 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse mode
36
relatively wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
megapixel count good (14MP)
no manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
no manual exposure
no image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
bad battery pack (160 CIPA)
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Vlogging advice
Olympus VG-145 Vlogging advice
31
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection autofocus
lighter than competitors (226 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external microphone support
28
relatively wide (26mm)
offers face detect focusing
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone socket
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus VG-145 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Olympus VG-145
 Olympus SZ-12Olympus VG-145
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus SZ-12 Olympus VG-145
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Introduced 2012-01-10 2011-07-27
Physical type Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - TruePic III
Sensor type CCD CCD
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 14MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3
Peak resolution 4288 x 3216 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 1600 1600
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/2.8-6.5
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT Color LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1700 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 4.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance 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) 1280 x 720 (30, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
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 lb) 120g (0.26 lb)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7")
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 images 160 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B LI-70B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $350 $0