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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic S1

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 front
Portability
54
Imaging
75
Features
84
Overall
78

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic S1 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
  • Revealed January 2012
Panasonic S1
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 1021g - 149 x 110 x 97mm
  • Revealed February 2019
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic S1 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Olympus SZ-12 versus Panasonic S1, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a big gap between the sensor resolutions of the SZ-12 (14MP) and S1 (24MP) and the SZ-12 (1/2.3") and S1 (Full frame) boast different sensor size.

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The SZ-12 was introduced 8 years prior to the S1 and that is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Olympus SZ-12 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic S1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving into a complete comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the SZ-12 scores against the S1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Panasonic S1

 SZ-12 S1 

Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Olympus SZ-12

 S1 SZ-12 
RevealedFebruary 2019January 2012More recent by 85 months
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution2100k460kSharper screen (+1640k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic S1

 SZ-12 S1 
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic S1 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to lug around your camera often, you should factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus SZ-12 features physical measurements 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 Panasonic S1 has sizing of 149mm x 110mm x 97mm (5.9" x 4.3" x 3.8") accompanied by a weight of 1021 grams (2.25 lbs).

Look at the Olympus SZ-12 versus Panasonic S1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have attached at the time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the SZ-12 versus the S1.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic S1 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ-12 and S1 is 89 and 54 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic S1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic S1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its difficult to visualize the gap between sensor measurements merely by reading through a spec sheet. The graphic here will offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-12 and S1.

Clearly, both of the cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The SZ-12 with its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field more difficult and the Panasonic S1 will give you more detail using its extra 10MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The older SZ-12 is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic S1 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-12
Portrait photography with Panasonic S1
33
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
comes with face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
85
manual focus
high flash sync speed (1/320 seconds)
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
has face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Street photography highlights
Panasonic S1 Street photography highlights
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (226g)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
70
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
comes with focus via touch
environment proof
above average ISO range (51,200)
more heavy than competition (1,021 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Sports photography details
Panasonic S1 Sports photography details
40
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (14MP)
comes with tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (220 shots)
lacks phase detect AF
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
silent mode (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking focus
environment proof
terrible battery power (380 per charge)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Travel photography factors
Panasonic S1 Travel photography factors
65
lighter than competitors (226g)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
not so great battery pack (220 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.0)
59
environment proof
has bluetooth
comes with focus via touch
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
terrible battery power (380 CIPA)
more heavy than competition (1,021 grams)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic S1 as a Landscape photography camera
40
pretty wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
manual mode not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
not so great battery pack (220 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse function
81
manual focus
swap lenses (Leica L mount)
screen size is decent (3.2 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
two card slots
terrible battery power (380 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic S1 as a Vlogging camera
31
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detect focusing
lighter than competitors (226 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic support
32
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
does have microphone socket
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
more heavy than competition (1,021g)
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic S1
 Olympus SZ-12Panasonic Lumix DC-S1
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SZ-12 Panasonic Lumix DC-S1
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2012-01-10 2019-02-01
Physical type Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Venus Engine
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4288 x 3216 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 1600 51200
Highest boosted ISO - 204800
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Lowest boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 225
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Leica L
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.0-6.9 -
Total lenses - 30
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 3.2 inches
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 2,100 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 5,760 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1700 secs 1/8000 secs
Highest silent shutter speed - 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 9.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync w/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/320 secs
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) 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264, H.265
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes (can be charged with high-power laptop/tablet chargers or portable power banks)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226 grams (0.50 lbs) 1021 grams (2.25 lbs)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 149 x 110 x 97mm (5.9" x 4.3" x 3.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 95
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 25.2
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.5
DXO Low light rating not tested 3333
Other
Battery life 220 images 380 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC -
Card slots One 2
Price at launch $350 $2,498