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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FX90

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX90 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FX90 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
  • Announced January 2012
Panasonic FX90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-5.9) lens
  • 149g - 102 x 56 x 22mm
  • Released August 2011
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FX90 Overview

In this write-up, we are evaluating the Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic FX90, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SZ-12 (14MP) and the FX90 (12MP) is fairly similar and they use the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SZ-12 was released 5 months later than the FX90 and they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the SZ-12 scores against the FX90 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Panasonic FX90

 SZ-12 FX90 

Reasons to pick Panasonic FX90 over the Olympus SZ-12

 FX90 SZ-12 
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic FX90

 SZ-12 FX90 
ReleasedJanuary 2012August 2011Similar age
Manual focus No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Display resolution460k460kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FX90 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry your camera frequently, you will want to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-12 has got exterior measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") and a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Panasonic FX90 has dimensions of 102mm x 56mm x 22mm (4.0" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 149 grams (0.33 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic FX90 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilizing at that time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the SZ-12 vs the FX90.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FX90 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-12 and FX90 is 89 and 95 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FX90 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FX90 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very tough to see the gap between sensor sizing just by reviewing technical specs. The graphic underneath will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-12 and FX90.

As you have seen, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Olympus SZ-12 to offer you greater detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will help you crop photos a little more aggressively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FX90 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FX90 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FX90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-12
Portrait photography with Panasonic FX90
33
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
supports face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
21
lack of manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
low MP (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FX90 as a Street photography camera
60
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (226g)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features touch focus
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Sports photography features
Panasonic FX90 Sports photography features
40
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (220 shots)
lack of phase detect AF
30
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (200 CIPA)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Travel photography details
Panasonic FX90 Travel photography details
65
lighter than competition in class (226g)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
no Timelapse function
terrible battery pack (220 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
60
features touch focus
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
bad battery pack (200 per charge)
low MP (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic FX90 Landscape photography highlights
40
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
terrible battery pack (220 per charge)
no Timelapse function
36
relatively wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.5)
no manual control
low MP (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
bad battery pack (200 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SZ-12
Vlogging with Panasonic FX90
31
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect focusing
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone socket
33
relatively wide (24mm)
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish max aperture (f2.5)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have external mic support
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FX90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic FX90
 Olympus SZ-12Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX90
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SZ-12 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX90
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2012-01-10 2011-08-26
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 area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 23
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/2.5-5.9
Macro focusing range - 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT Color LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1700 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 5.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
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) 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 lb) 149g (0.33 lb)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 102 x 56 x 22mm (4.0" x 2.2" 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 shots 200 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail cost $350 $227