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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic S1H

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1H front
Portability
52
Imaging
75
Features
87
Overall
79

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic S1H 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
  • Released January 2012
Panasonic S1H
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 5952 x 3988 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 1052g - 151 x 114 x 110mm
  • Released August 2019
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic S1H Overview

Below, we are comparing the Olympus SZ-12 versus Panasonic S1H, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Pro Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Panasonic. There is a crucial difference between the sensor resolutions of the SZ-12 (14MP) and S1H (24MP) and the SZ-12 (1/2.3") and S1H (Full frame) come with totally different sensor sizes.

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The SZ-12 was released 8 years earlier than the S1H which is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SZ-12 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic S1H being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the SZ-12 matches up vs the S1H when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Panasonic S1H

 SZ-12 S1H 

Reasons to pick Panasonic S1H over the Olympus SZ-12

 S1H SZ-12 
ReleasedAugust 2019January 2012More modern by 92 months
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimension3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2330k460kSharper display (+1870k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic S1H

 SZ-12 S1H 

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic S1H Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry around your camera regularly, you will want to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-12 enjoys outside dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Panasonic S1H has dimensions of 151mm x 114mm x 110mm (5.9" x 4.5" x 4.3") having a weight of 1052 grams (2.32 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus SZ-12 versus Panasonic S1H in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have attached at that moment. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the SZ-12 compared to the S1H.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic S1H size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-12 and S1H is 89 and 52 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic S1H top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic S1H Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's hard to envision the difference between sensor sizes purely by going over specs. The image below will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-12 and S1H.

All in all, each of these cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The SZ-12 because of its tinier sensor will make getting shallower depth of field harder and the Panasonic S1H will offer you more detail as a result of its extra 10MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics much more aggressively. The more aged SZ-12 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic S1H sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic S1H Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic S1H Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic S1H Portrait photography highlights
33
decent megapixels (14MP)
comes with face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
85
focusing manually
above average flash sync speed (1/320s)
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Street photography information
Panasonic S1H Street photography information
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average (226 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
69
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
features touch focus
environment proofing
above average ISO range (51,200)
heavier than competition (1,052 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Sports photography advice
Panasonic S1H Sports photography advice
40
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (220 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shooting (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking focus
environment proofing
low battery life (400 CIPA)
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic S1H Travel photography highlights
65
lighter than average (226g)
decent megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
missing Timelapse recording
bad battery pack (220 shots)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
64
environment proofing
has bluetooth
features touch focus
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
display is selfie friendly
low battery life (400 per charge)
heavier than competition (1,052 grams)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Landscape photography info
Panasonic S1H Landscape photography info
40
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual exposure
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
bad battery pack (220 shots)
missing Timelapse recording
80
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Leica L mount)
screen is a good size (3.2 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
above average ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
two card slots
low battery life (400 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic S1H as a Vlogging camera
31
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detect autofocus
lighter than average (226g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone jack
70
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detect autofocus
high res video (5952 x 3988 pixels)
comes with mic socket
heavier than competition (1,052 grams)
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic S1H Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic S1H
 Olympus SZ-12Panasonic Lumix DC-S1H
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus SZ-12 Panasonic Lumix DC-S1H
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Pro Mirrorless
Released 2012-01-10 2019-08-28
Physical type Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - Venus Engine
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 24MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 3216 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 1600 51200
Maximum enhanced ISO - 204800
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Minimum enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 225
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Leica L
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.0-6.9 -
Available lenses - 30
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3 inches 3.2 inches
Display resolution 460k dots 2,330k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 5,760k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1700s 1/8000s
Fastest quiet shutter speed - 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 9.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - no built-in flash
Flash settings 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
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/320s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 5952 x 3988 @ 23.98p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 5952x3988
Video file 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) Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226 grams (0.50 lb) 1052 grams (2.32 lb)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 151 x 114 x 110mm (5.9" x 4.5" x 4.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 shots 400 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II supported)
Card slots Single Dual
Cost at release $350 $3,998