Clicky

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FP2

Portability
89
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP2 front
Portability
95
Imaging
37
Features
17
Overall
29

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FP2 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
  • Announced January 2012
Panasonic FP2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 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
  • Revealed January 2010
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FP2 Overview

Following is a thorough assessment of the Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic FP2, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Ultracompact by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SZ-12 (14MP) and the FP2 (14MP) is relatively similar and both cameras offer the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

The SZ-12 was brought out 2 years after the FP2 which is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus SZ-12 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic FP2 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise view of how the SZ-12 grades versus the FP2 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Panasonic FP2

 SZ-12 FP2 
RevealedJanuary 2012January 2010More modern by 25 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FP2 over the Olympus SZ-12

 FP2 SZ-12 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic FP2

 SZ-12 FP2 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FP2 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry around your camera often, you will want to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-12 offers exterior dimensions 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 FP2 has measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") with a weight of 151 grams (0.33 lbs).

Examine the Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic FP2 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you use at that time. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the SZ-12 vs the FP2.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FP2 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-12 and FP2 is 89 and 95 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FP2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FP2 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be tough to envision the difference between sensor sizes only by reading specs. The pic below should provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-12 and FP2.

All in all, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the identical megapixels and you should expect similar quality of pictures however you really should factor the production date of the products into consideration. The more recent SZ-12 is going to have an advantage in sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FP2 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FP2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FP2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic FP2 Portrait photography factors
34
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
has face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
28
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SZ-12
Street photography with Panasonic FP2
60
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average (226 grams)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
55
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
heavier than average (151 grams)
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FP2 as a Sports photography camera
41
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
has tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery life (220 CIPA)
lack of phase detect AF
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic FP2 as a Travel photography camera
65
lighter than average (226 grams)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
no Time Lapse recording
bad battery life (220 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.0)
56
megapixel count decent (14MP)
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse recording
heavier than average (151g)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic FP2 Landscape photography factors
40
pretty wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
no manual mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
bad battery life (220 per charge)
no Time Lapse recording
33
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
manual mode not available
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
lack of Time Lapse recording
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic FP2 Vlogging highlights
31
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detection focusing
lighter than average (226 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic port
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic port
heavier than average (151 grams)
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FP2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic FP2
 Olympus SZ-12Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP2
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus SZ-12 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP2
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Announced 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 14 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4288 x 3216 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 35-140mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focus range - 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1700 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 4.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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 (30 fps), 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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226 grams (0.50 pounds) 151 grams (0.33 pounds)
Physical 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 All around 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 -
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 feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $350 $80