Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FX48
89 Imaging
37 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

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").

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.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FX48 Gallery
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


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

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 |