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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FP1

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
13
Overall
26

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FP1 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
  • Launched January 2012
Panasonic FP1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 151g - 99 x 59 x 19mm
  • Released January 2010
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FP1 Overview

Lets examine more closely at the Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FP1, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Ultracompact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the SZ-12 (14MP) and the FP1 (12MP) is relatively similar and they use the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SZ-12 was revealed 2 years later than the FP1 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SZ-12 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic FP1 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before getting through a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the SZ-12 grades vs the FP1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Panasonic FP1

 SZ-12 FP1 
ReleasedJanuary 2012January 2010More recent by 25 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FP1 over the Olympus SZ-12

 FP1 SZ-12 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic FP1

 SZ-12 FP1 
Focus manually No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FP1 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to lug around your camera regularly, you'll need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-12 has outside measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FP1 has proportions of 99mm x 59mm x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") having a weight of 151 grams (0.33 lbs).

Look at the Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FP1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are employing during that time. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the SZ-12 vs the FP1.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FP1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-12 and FP1 is 89 and 95 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FP1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FP1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very difficult to picture the difference between sensor measurements only by going over specs. The photograph below will offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-12 and FP1.

All in all, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You should count on the Olympus SZ-12 to offer extra detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots far more aggressively. The younger SZ-12 should have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FP1 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FP1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FP1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-12
Portrait photography with Panasonic FP1
33
good MP (14 megapixels)
provides face detect focus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
21
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SZ-12
Street photography with Panasonic FP1
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (226g)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
55
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
heavier than average in class (151g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SZ-12
Sports photography with Panasonic FP1
40
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (14 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery (220 per charge)
no phase detect auto focus
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (6.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SZ-12
Travel photography with Panasonic FP1
65
lighter than competition (226g)
good MP (14MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
low battery (220 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
50
built-in flash
no Time Lapse recording
heavier than average in class (151 grams)
resolution not great (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic FP1 as a Landscape photography camera
40
decently wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (14MP)
lack of manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
low battery (220 shots)
lack of Timelapse recording
28
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
lack of manual mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
no Time Lapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FP1 as a Vlogging camera
31
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detect focus
lighter than competition (226 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone port
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic port
heavier than average in class (151g)
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FP1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic FP1
 Olympus SZ-12Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus SZ-12 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Launched 2012-01-10 2010-01-06
Body design Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor - Venus Engine IV
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 14MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 35-140mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focus range - 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1700 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 4.90 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
WB 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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 226 gr (0.50 pounds) 151 gr (0.33 pounds)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 99 x 59 x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" 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 shots -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing $350 $153