Clicky

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FX580

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
29
Overall
32

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FX580 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
  • Revealed January 2012
Panasonic FX580
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 167g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Released January 2009
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-FX550
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FX580 Overview

On this page, we are contrasting the Olympus SZ-12 versus Panasonic FX580, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the SZ-12 (14MP) and the FX580 (12MP) is fairly close and both cameras offer the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

The SZ-12 was announced 2 years after the FX580 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting right into a detailed comparison, here is a quick summation of how the SZ-12 grades versus the FX580 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Panasonic FX580

 SZ-12 FX580 
ReleasedJanuary 2012January 2009Newer by 36 months
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FX580 over the Olympus SZ-12

 FX580 SZ-12 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic FX580

 SZ-12 FX580 
Focus manually No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FX580 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera regularly, you should factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-12 has 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 FX580 has measurements of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Examine the Olympus SZ-12 versus Panasonic FX580 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you use at the time. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the SZ-12 vs the FX580.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FX580 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-12 and FX580 is 89 and 95 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FX580 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FX580 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very tough to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions only by researching specifications. The image here will offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-12 and FX580.

Plainly, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different megapixels. You can anticipate the Olympus SZ-12 to render more detail with its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop pics more aggressively. The more modern SZ-12 should have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FX580 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FX580 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FX580 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic FX580 Portrait photography factors
33
good resolution (14 megapixels)
supports face detection focusing
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
26
offers face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Street photography advice
Panasonic FX580 Street photography advice
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (226 grams)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Sports photography factors
Panasonic FX580 Sports photography factors
40
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
max fps low (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery pack (220 shots)
doesn't have phase detect AF
27
image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Travel photography advice
Panasonic FX580 Travel photography advice
65
lighter than competition (226g)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
no Time Lapse mode
low battery pack (220 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
58
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-12
Landscape photography with Panasonic FX580
40
decently wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (14MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not available
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
low battery pack (220 shots)
no Time Lapse mode
36
pretty wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
lack of manual exposure
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
lack of Time Lapse function
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FX580 as a Vlogging camera
31
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detection focusing
lighter than competition (226 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic jack
30
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic socket
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FX580 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic FX580
 Olympus SZ-12Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus SZ-12 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580
Also called - Lumix DMC-FX550
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 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 dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Maximum resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 1600
Maximum boosted ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 11
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-125mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1700 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 6.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226g (0.50 lb) 167g (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 images -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Launch pricing $350 $499