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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FX48

Portability
89
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FX48 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
  • Introduced January 2012
Panasonic FX48
(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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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FX48 Overview

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").

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The 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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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Panasonic FX48

 SZ-12 FX48 
RevealedJanuary 2012January 2009Newer by 36 months
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer 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 typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FX48 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ-12 and FX48 is 89 and 95 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FX48 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FX48 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FX48 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic FX48 as a Portrait photography camera
34
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
provides face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
27
includes face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
can't use external flash
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SZ-12
Street photography with Panasonic FX48
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (226 grams)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
57
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Sports photography factors
Panasonic FX48 Sports photography factors
41
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (220 per charge)
lacks phase detect autofocus
25
image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Travel photography details
Panasonic FX48 Travel photography details
65
lighter than competitors (226 grams)
decent megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
not so great battery life (220 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
58
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
resolution not great (12MP)
does not offer selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic FX48 as a Landscape photography camera
40
really wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (14MP)
manual focus not available
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not available
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
not so great battery life (220 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse mode
33
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.5 inches)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FX48 as a Vlogging camera
31
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection autofocus
lighter than competitors (226g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic jack
31
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not offer selfie friendly display
low quality video (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have microphone support
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FX48 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic FX48
 Olympus SZ-12Panasonic 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