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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic GH5S

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5S front
Portability
62
Imaging
49
Features
82
Overall
62

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic GH5S 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
  • Released January 2012
Panasonic GH5S
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 160 - 51200 (Raise to 204800)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 660g - 139 x 98 x 87mm
  • Announced January 2018
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic GH5S: A Deep Dive into Two Worlds of Photography

Stepping into the arena of camera gear comparisons often turns into a journey across diverse photographic philosophies and user needs. The Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic Lumix GH5S differ so profoundly - it’s almost like comparing a spirited city scooter to a rugged adventure motorcycle. Yet each can be a perfect match depending on your photography path. Having personally tested both over thousands of shots and dozens of real-world scenarios, I'm excited to unfold their distinctions, strengths, and the niches they serve best.

First Impressions and Ergonomics: Handling the Compact and the Pro

Let’s start with the feel and physical presence of these two devices.

The Olympus SZ-12 embraces portability wholeheartedly. Its compact dimensions - 106x69x40mm and featherweight at 226g - make it a go-anywhere companion. It's pocketable, simple, and designed for casual shooters or travelers valuing convenience. The fixed lens system reinforces this simplicity but limits creative flexibility.

Contrast that with the Panasonic GH5S, a trusty workhorse weighing in at 660g with a significantly larger, SLR-style mirrorless body measuring 139x98x87mm. This camera feels substantial, offering tactile feedback and confidence in hand when you’re out in challenging conditions or hauling heavier lenses. The body sports a rugged build with environmental sealing (dust and splash resistance), which tells you it’s built for professional-grade work in the field.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic GH5S size comparison

When I held the SZ-12 and GH5S side by side, the SZ-12 felt like a nimble point-and-shoot, ideal for spontaneity. The GH5S demanded more from the user, with comfortable grip contours and a heft that supports stability especially with longer telephoto lenses on wildlife or sports shoots.

Design Language and Control Layout: Intuitive or Minimalist?

Moving beyond feel, a camera’s control scheme can make or break the shooting experience. Olympus's SZ-12 adopts a minimalist façade appropriate for its target demographic - few buttons, no manual dials, and a rather straightforward top panel layout.

On the other hand, the GH5S boasts an extensive array of dedicated buttons, dials, and customizable controls, designed for photographers and videographers who crave instant access to settings and prefer manual manipulation.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic GH5S top view buttons comparison

From testing, I noticed the GH5S’s granular control allowed for speedy adjustments mid-shoot, an invaluable trait when capturing fast-paced sports or ephemeral wildlife moments. The SZ-12’s simplicity is welcoming for beginners but can frustrate more advanced users who want creative aperture or shutter priority modes absent here.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Tiny CCD vs Professional CMOS Excellence

At the heart of any camera is the sensor, dictating image quality, dynamic range, and ISO performance.

The Olympus SZ-12 uses a modest 1/2.3" CCD sensor measuring just 6.17x4.55mm. This small sensor has 14 MP resolution but the limited surface area inherently restricts noise performance, color depth, and dynamic range. Still, for casual snapshots under good lighting, it can produce usable images, especially with the in-camera JPEG processing.

Meanwhile, the Panasonic GH5S wields a large Four Thirds MOS sensor at 17.3x13mm - a dramatic leap in sensor size and physical area (roughly 8x larger than the SZ-12’s). Its 10 MP resolution may sound low by today’s pixel race standards, but the pixel pitch is large, enhancing low-light sensitivity and dynamic range remarkably.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic GH5S sensor size comparison

During my side-by-side tests in varied lighting - from bright landscapes to shadowed interiors - the GH5S delivered far richer, cleaner images with stellar color gradations. The SZ-12 images were serviceable outdoors but struggled in darker scenes, revealing noise and softer details.

Viewing Experience: Screens and Viewfinders Up Close

Able to compose and review your shots comfortably is fundamental.

The SZ-12 sports a fixed 3-inch TFT LCD with a low resolution of 460K dots and no electronic viewfinder. This limits both visibility under direct sunlight and precision framing.

The GH5S flips that script with a fully articulated 3.2-inch touchscreen boasting a crisp 1620K dot resolution, perfect for creative angles, video, and self-shooting (thank you, selfie-friendly feature). Add a high-resolution 3680-dot OLED electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage and 0.76x magnification - critical for bright light shooting or fast framing.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic GH5S Screen and Viewfinder comparison

Practically, I found the GH5S’s EVF barely leaves my eyes when shooting outdoors, preventing glare distractions. The SZ-12’s lack of viewfinder nudges users to compose at arm’s length, somewhat limiting precision.

Lens Ecosystem: Fixed Convenience vs Limitless Potential

Lens choice often defines a camera’s versatility. The SZ-12 is, by design, a self-contained unit with a fixed 25-600mm (24x optical zoom) lens equivalent at f/3.0–6.9 aperture. It covers everything from wide-angle snapshots to impressive telephoto reach, great for casual wildlife or cityscape closer shots without lens changes.

The GH5S, compatible with the Micro Four Thirds mount, supports over 100 native lenses from Panasonic, Olympus, Sigma, and third parties - spanning ultrawide, fast primes, super telephotos, and specialty glass. This gives photographers ultimate creative flexibility.

In practical testing, the SZ-12 zoom lens is handy but optically compromises at full zoom, showing softness and chromatic aberrations. The GH5S, paired with pro-grade primes or telephotos, yields razor-sharp images with beautiful background separation and minimal distortion.

Autofocus Performance: Contrast or Phase Hybrid Systems?

Autofocus speed and accuracy can define success in genres like sports or wildlife.

The SZ-12 employs basic contrast detection AF with face detection. It tracks a single object reasonably well but lacks advanced predictive tracking or fast continuous focus.

The GH5S deploys an advanced contrast-detection system with DFD ("Depth From Defocus") technology and 225 focus points. While it eschews phase detection autofocus (traditional for speed), Panasonic’s algorithm ensures rapid, reliable performance even in video.

In my wildlife tests chasing quick birds in flight, the GH5S consistently nailed focus with minimal hunting. The SZ-12 lagged, often missing decisive moments, reflecting its casual design.

Burst Shooting and Shutter Range: Speed Matters

When capturing action, frame rate and shutter speed ranges come into focus.

The SZ-12 offers a leisurely single frame per second continuous shooting, with shutter speeds maxing at 1/1700s. This restricts shooting fast-moving subjects or sports.

The GH5S shines with 12 fps burst shooting in mechanical shutter mode and electronic shutter up to 1/16000s - excellent for freezing motion or shooting discreetly.

For sports photographers or street shooters wanting to capture fleeting expressions, the GH5S’s agility is a game-changer.

Image Stabilization and Low-Light Prowess

The SZ-12 incorporates sensor-shift image stabilization, a boon when shooting telephoto at slow shutter speeds handheld. Despite this, the smaller sensor combined with max ISO 1600 limits its low-light utility.

Ironically, the GH5S lacks in-body stabilization, expecting users to rely on stabilized lenses. However, its superior native high ISO sensitivity (up to 51200 with boosted modes) permits shooting in challenging light with cleaner results.

In moonlit landscapes or dim interiors, the GH5S maintains detail and color fidelity where the SZ-12 falls short.

Video Capabilities: Casual Clips vs Professional Cinema

Video content creators will appreciate this stark contrast.

The SZ-12 maxes out at 720p HD video at 30fps with limited codec options (MPEG-4, H.264). There’s no microphone input, no external audio control, and automatic exposure modes dominate.

Conversely, the GH5S positions itself as a bona fide cinema camera with 4K DCI (4096x2160) at 60p 10-bit 4:2:2 internal recording, and advanced codecs including H.264 and H.265. Dual SD card slots support high bitrate recording and continuous capture.

Add professional features like headphone and microphone jacks, full articulating touchscreen, and extensive manual controls, and you have a machine made for serious videography.

Environmental Endurance and Battery Life

Shooting reliably outdoors is often overlooked until you’re caught in bad weather or a long day out.

The SZ-12 has no weather sealing and relies on a compact LI-50B battery rated for about 220 shots per charge - not impressive but predictable for casual use.

The GH5S, with its magnesium alloy body and sealing, can brave dusty trails and light rain. Its larger battery supports approximately 440 shots (CIPA) or longer when shooting video.

For workflow reliability, especially pros on assignment, the GH5S is the superior choice.

Connectivity and Storage: From Basic to Professional

The SZ-12 has minimal connectivity: USB 2.0 and HDMI output, but no wireless options. Storage relies on a single SD card slot.

The GH5S advances with built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB 3.1, HDMI output, and dual UHS-II SD card slots for high-capacity redundant storage or overflow - critical in professional environments to prevent data loss.

Pricing and Value: Who Should Invest in What?

Here lies perhaps the most striking divergence: the Olympus SZ-12 is a budget-friendly entry-level compact for around $350, appealing to beginners or travelers seeking a no-fuss machine. You trade ultimate image quality, video power, and manual control for simplicity and price.

The Panasonic GH5S commands a premium near $2,500, placing it firmly in the professional or serious enthusiast category, especially videographers craving high-grade 4K capture and photographers requiring robust build and image performance.

Sample Image Gallery: Real-World Output

In daylight portraits, the GH5S’s images offer exquisite skin tones and creamy bokeh absent in the SZ-12’s flatter, noisier results. Landscape shots from the GH5S brim with dynamic range and fine detail hidden in shadows, thanks to the larger sensor and superior processing.

Wildlife close-ups exploit the GH5S’s fast autofocus and interchangeable lenses, capturing sharp, vibrant images missed by the SZ-12’s slower drive.

Performance Scores: Hard Data Speaks Volumes

Analysing performance benchmarks across key parameters, the GH5S dominates in sensor quality, autofocus speed, frame rates, low light handling, and video capabilities. The SZ-12 remains respectable in portability and zoom reach, but understandably lags in nearly all other technical categories.

Strengths by Photography Genre: Tailored Recommendations

Photography Type Olympus SZ-12 Panasonic GH5S
Portrait Basic snaps; limited bokeh due to sensor Excellent skin tones, eye-detection AF, great bokeh
Landscape Entry-level, decent zoom Superior dynamic range, resolution, weather sealing
Wildlife Good zoom but slow AF Fast AF, telephoto lens support, burst shooting
Sports Limited frame rate, slow AF High frame rates, quick AF tracking
Street Compact and discrete Heavier but excellent low light and quick focus
Macro No macro-specific features Focus stacking, precise manual focus
Night/Astro Low ISO ceiling limits low-light use Excellent high ISO performance
Video VGA to HD720p basic video Professional 4K 10-bit video, audio inputs
Travel Lightweight, long zoom useful Robust, versatile but heavier
Professional Work Not recommended Designed for professionals, RAW support, dual cards

Final Thoughts: Which Camera Fits Your Vision?

Choosing between these two is less about picking “better” and more about identifying your photographic pathway.

For newcomers, casual family or travel photography, or those prioritizing pocketability and ease, the Olympus SZ-12 stands as a practical choice. It’s a straightforward, lightweight companion that sacrifices complex controls for accessibility and a huge zoom in a tiny package.

For professionals or serious enthusiasts invested in image quality, video production, and creative control, the Panasonic GH5S is a powerhouse. While its price and complexity imply a learning curve and investment, it rewards users with performance that stands up to rigorous artistic demands and challenging environments.

The GH5S invites photographers to expand into professional video, high-ISO landscapes, and fast-action genres, while the SZ-12 keeps photography fun, simple, and affordable.

Methodology Note: How We Tested

This comparison stems from extensive practical testing under controlled and varied real-world conditions. Both cameras were put through:

  • Controlled studio portraits analyzing color rendition and skin tone reproduction
  • Outdoor high dynamic range landscapes at sunrise and sunset
  • Fast-moving wildlife tracking sessions using telephoto lenses (GH5S) and zoom modes (SZ-12)
  • Sports action capturing varying speeds and lighting
  • Street photography scenarios for discretion, usability, and autofocus
  • Low-light and night shoots measuring ISO noise and detail retention
  • Video recording utilizing available formats, exposure controls, and stabilization
  • Ergonomics and user interface evaluations based on handling, menus, and ease of use over extended sessions

Photography gear is deeply personal and highly situational. I hope this detailed, experience-backed comparison aids you in navigating your next camera decision with confidence and clarity.

Happy shooting!

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic GH5S Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic GH5S
 Olympus SZ-12Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5S
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus SZ-12 Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5S
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Pro Mirrorless
Released 2012-01-10 2018-01-08
Physical type Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Venus Engine 10
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 224.9mm²
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 3680 x 2760
Max native ISO 1600 51200
Max boosted ISO - 204800
Min native ISO 80 160
RAW files
Min boosted ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 225
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.0-6.9 -
Total lenses - 107
Focal length multiplier 5.8 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 3" 3.2"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 1,620 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,680 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.76x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1700 secs 1/8000 secs
Highest silent shutter speed - 1/16000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 12.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 4096 x 2160 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 1280x720 4096x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264, H.265
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.1
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226 grams (0.50 lbs) 660 grams (1.46 lbs)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 139 x 98 x 87mm (5.5" x 3.9" x 3.4")
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 pictures 440 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B DMW-BLF19
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 secs, 10 secs w/3 images)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC cards (UHS-II V60 cards supported)
Card slots One Two
Launch pricing $350 $2,498