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Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus XZ-1

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Olympus XZ-1 front
Portability
88
Imaging
35
Features
51
Overall
41

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus XZ-1 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
  • Launched January 2012
Olympus XZ-1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
  • 275g - 111 x 65 x 42mm
  • Introduced January 2011
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus XZ-1 Overview

Here is a in depth assessment of the Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus XZ-1, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both are built by Olympus. There exists a significant gap among the sensor resolutions of the SZ-12 (14MP) and XZ-1 (10MP) and the SZ-12 (1/2.3") and XZ-1 (1/1.63") posses totally different sensor measurements.

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The SZ-12 was manufactured 12 months later than the XZ-1 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the SZ-12 scores against the XZ-1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Olympus XZ-1

 SZ-12 XZ-1 
IntroducedJanuary 2012January 2011Fresher by 12 months

Reasons to pick Olympus XZ-1 over the Olympus SZ-12

 XZ-1 SZ-12 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Display resolution614k460kSharper display (+154k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Olympus XZ-1

 SZ-12 XZ-1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurements
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus XZ-1 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry your camera often, you need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-12 provides physical measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") and a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Olympus XZ-1 has measurements of 111mm x 65mm x 42mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7") with a weight of 275 grams (0.61 lbs).

Check out the Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus XZ-1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the SZ-12 compared to the XZ-1.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus XZ-1 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-12 and XZ-1 is 89 and 88 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus XZ-1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus XZ-1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be hard to see the contrast in sensor sizing simply by researching specs. The visual here will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-12 and XZ-1.

All in all, both the cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The SZ-12 because of its smaller sensor will make shooting bokeh tougher and the Olympus SZ-12 will result in greater detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos more aggressively. The more modern SZ-12 will have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus XZ-1 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus XZ-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus XZ-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Portrait photography highlights
Olympus XZ-1 Portrait photography highlights
33
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
offers face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
45
has manual focus
includes face detection focus
saves RAW files
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/1.63")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SZ-12
Street photography with Olympus XZ-1
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (226 grams)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
59
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW files
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/1.63")
heavier than competitors (275 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SZ-12
Sports photography with Olympus XZ-1
40
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
offers tracking focus
slow frames per second (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (220 shots)
has no phase detect AF
38
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes tracking autofocus
good battery (320 per charge)
max frames per second low (2.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/1.63")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Travel photography details
Olympus XZ-1 Travel photography details
65
lighter than competition (226 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
missing Timelapse function
bad battery pack (220 CIPA)
does not have selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
62
good battery (320 CIPA)
built-in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
lack of Time Lapse recording
heavier than competitors (275 grams)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-12
Landscape photography with Olympus XZ-1
40
pretty wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
manual mode not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
bad battery pack (220 per charge)
missing Timelapse function
54
has manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW files
good battery (320 CIPA)
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/1.63")
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Vlogging features
Olympus XZ-1 Vlogging features
31
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect focusing
lighter than competition (226 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
does not have selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone jack
31
relatively wide (28mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection focus
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic socket
heavier than competitors (275g)
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus XZ-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Olympus XZ-1
 Olympus SZ-12Olympus XZ-1
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus SZ-12 Olympus XZ-1
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2012-01-10 2011-01-26
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - TruePic V
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.63"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 8.07 x 5.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 44.9mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4288 x 3216 3664 x 2752
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 11
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/1.8-2.5
Macro focus range - 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 4.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 614 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT Color LCD OLED
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1700 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 8.60 m (ISO 800)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226 gr (0.50 lb) 275 gr (0.61 lb)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 111 x 65 x 42mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 34
DXO Color Depth score not tested 18.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 10.4
DXO Low light score not tested 117
Other
Battery life 220 photographs 320 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B Li-50B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $350 $567