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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FH8

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
32
Overall
36

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FH8 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 FH8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-6.4) lens
  • 123g - 96 x 57 x 19mm
  • Revealed January 2012
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FH8 Overview

Here is a extended overview of the Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic FH8, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the SZ-12 (14MP) and the FH8 (16MP) is very comparable and both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SZ-12 was unveiled at a similar time to the FH8 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a in depth comparison, here is a short highlight of how the SZ-12 matches up against the FH8 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Panasonic FH8

 SZ-12 FH8 
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH8 over the Olympus SZ-12

 FH8 SZ-12 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic FH8

 SZ-12 FH8 
RevealedJanuary 2012January 2012Same generation
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FH8 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera often, you will want to consider its weight and volume. The Olympus SZ-12 offers physical dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") and a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FH8 has sizing of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 123 grams (0.27 lbs).

Check the Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic FH8 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the SZ-12 against the FH8.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FH8 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-12 and FH8 is 89 and 96 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FH8 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FH8 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very tough to envision the difference in sensor sizing just by checking out a spec sheet. The visual below will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-12 and FH8.

Clearly, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Panasonic FH8 to provide extra detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop photos a bit more aggressively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FH8 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FH8 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FH8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic FH8 Portrait photography advice
33
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
comes with face detect focus
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
34
MP count good (16 megapixels)
supports face detection focus
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SZ-12
Street photography with Panasonic FH8
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (226 grams)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (123 grams)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Sports photography details
Panasonic FH8 Sports photography details
40
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
comes with tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery power (220 per charge)
lack of phase detect auto focus
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
supports tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SZ-12
Travel photography with Panasonic FH8
65
lighter than others in class (226g)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
bad battery power (220 CIPA)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
69
lighter than competitors in class (123 grams)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (24mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-12
Landscape photography with Panasonic FH8
40
pretty wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
bad battery power (220 shots)
missing Time Lapse mode
43
decently wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
manual exposure not available
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Vlogging factors
Panasonic FH8 Vlogging factors
31
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detect focus
lighter than others in class (226g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic support
33
decently wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
lighter than competitors in class (123 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic jack
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FH8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic FH8
 Olympus SZ-12Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus SZ-12 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2012-01-10 2012-01-09
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4288 x 3216 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 23
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/2.5-6.4
Macro focus distance - 4cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT Color LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 8 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1700 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 5.60 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226g (0.50 lb) 123g (0.27 lb)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" 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 photos 260 photos
Form 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 feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $350 $149