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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FH2

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
33
Overall
35

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FH2 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 FH2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 121g - 94 x 54 x 19mm
  • Announced January 2011
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-FS16
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FH2 Overview

On this page, we are looking at the Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FH2, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SZ-12 (14MP) and the FH2 (14MP) is fairly similar and both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SZ-12 was announced 13 months later than the FH2 making them a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go into a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the SZ-12 scores vs the FH2 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Panasonic FH2

 SZ-12 FH2 
AnnouncedJanuary 2012January 2011More recent by 13 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH2 over the Olympus SZ-12

 FH2 SZ-12 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic FH2

 SZ-12 FH2 
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FH2 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to lug around your camera frequently, you will have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-12 has got exterior dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") along with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Panasonic FH2 has dimensions of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") with a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs).

Check out the Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FH2 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the SZ-12 compared to the FH2.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FH2 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ-12 and FH2 is 89 and 96 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FH2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FH2 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is difficult to picture the difference between sensor measurements purely by going over technical specs. The graphic underneath will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-12 and FH2.

As you have seen, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the same megapixels therefore you can expect similar quality of images but you will need to take the age of the products into consideration. The newer SZ-12 should have an advantage in sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FH2 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FH2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FH2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic FH2 Portrait photography factors
33
megapixel count decent (14MP)
offers face detection focus
no manual focus
no manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
33
MP count decent (14MP)
includes face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Street photography info
Panasonic FH2 Street photography info
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (226 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
67
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides touch to focus
lighter than others in class (121 grams)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FH2 as a Sports photography camera
40
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
offers tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
low battery power (220 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
43
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
great battery pack (270 CIPA)
slow fps (4.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic FH2 Travel photography highlights
65
lighter than others in class (226 grams)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
low battery power (220 shots)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
72
great battery pack (270 shots)
lighter than others in class (121 grams)
provides touch to focus
MP count decent (14MP)
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-12
Landscape photography with Panasonic FH2
40
really wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
no manual mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
low battery power (220 shots)
lack of Time Lapse mode
41
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
great battery pack (270 shots)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual exposure
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FH2 as a Vlogging camera
31
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detection focus
lighter than others in class (226 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic jack
32
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
lighter than others in class (121 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone support
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FH2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic FH2
 Olympus SZ-12Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus SZ-12 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-FS16
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2012-01-10 2011-01-05
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Venus Engine IV
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4288 x 3216 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 11
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.1-6.5
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1700 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per second 4.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 3.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
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), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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) 121 gr (0.27 lb)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7")
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 pictures 270 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $350 $149