Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FX48
89 Imaging
36 Features
36 Overall
36
95 Imaging
34 Features
21 Overall
28
Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FX48 Key Specs
(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
- Introduced January 2012
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200 (Raise to 6400)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 25-125mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
- 150g - 95 x 53 x 22mm
- Revealed January 2009
- Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FX40
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The following is a extended analysis of the Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FX48, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the SZ-12 (14MP) and the FX48 (12MP) is relatively similar and both cameras provide the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modesThe SZ-12 was launched 2 years after the FX48 which is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before delving into a complete comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the SZ-12 grades against the FX48 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
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Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus SZ-12 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48. The complete galleries are viewable at Olympus SZ-12 Gallery & Panasonic FX48 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Panasonic FX48
| SZ-12 | FX48 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revealed | January 2012 | January 2009 | Newer by 36 months | |
| Screen dimensions | 3" | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") | |
| Screen resolution | 460k | 230k | Clearer screen (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic FX48 over the Olympus SZ-12
| FX48 | SZ-12 |
|---|
Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic FX48
| SZ-12 | FX48 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus manually | No manual focus | |||
| Screen type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
| Selfie screen | Neither offers selfie screen | |||
| Touch friendly screen | No Touch friendly screen |
Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FX48 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera frequently, you'll have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-12 offers 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) while the Panasonic FX48 has dimensions of 95mm x 53mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.9") with a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs).
Examine the Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FX48 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Following is a front view scale comparison of the SZ-12 and the FX48.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ-12 and FX48 is 89 and 95 respectively.
Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FX48 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it is very tough to visualise the contrast between sensor dimensions just by reading a spec sheet. The picture here may give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-12 and FX48.
Clearly, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Olympus SZ-12 to offer greater detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs more aggressively. The newer SZ-12 will have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.
Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FX48 Screen and ViewFinder
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FX48 Specifications
| Olympus SZ-12 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand | Olympus | Panasonic |
| Model type | Olympus SZ-12 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48 |
| Alternate name | - | Lumix DMC-FX40 |
| Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
| Introduced | 2012-01-10 | 2009-01-27 |
| Physical type | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| 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 surface area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 14 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | - | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Highest Possible resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 4000 x 3000 |
| Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
| Maximum enhanced ISO | - | 6400 |
| Lowest native ISO | 80 | 80 |
| RAW files | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| AF touch | ||
| Continuous AF | ||
| Single AF | ||
| AF tracking | ||
| AF selectice | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| AF multi area | ||
| Live view AF | ||
| Face detect AF | ||
| Contract detect AF | ||
| Phase detect AF | ||
| Total focus points | - | 11 |
| Cross type focus points | - | - |
| Lens | ||
| Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens zoom range | 25-600mm (24.0x) | 25-125mm (5.0x) |
| Highest aperture | f/3.0-6.9 | f/2.8-5.9 |
| Macro focusing distance | - | 5cm |
| Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Display size | 3" | 2.5" |
| Resolution of display | 460k dots | 230k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch functionality | ||
| Display tech | TFT Color LCD | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 4 secs | 60 secs |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/1700 secs | 1/3000 secs |
| Continuous shutter rate | 1.0 frames per second | 2.0 frames per second |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual mode | ||
| Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
| Custom WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash distance | - | 6.00 m |
| Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
| External flash | ||
| AEB | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| 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) | 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
| Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 640x480 |
| 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 | ||
| Environmental sealing | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 226g (0.50 lbs) | 150g (0.33 lbs) |
| Physical dimensions | 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") | 95 x 53 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.9") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall rating | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 220 photographs | - |
| Style of battery | Battery Pack | - |
| Battery ID | LI-50B | - |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal |
| Card slots | 1 | 1 |
| Retail cost | $350 | $325 |