Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FX90
89 Imaging
37 Features
36 Overall
36


95 Imaging
35 Features
34 Overall
34
Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FX90 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
- Announced January 2012
(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

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").

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.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FX90 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus SZ-12 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX90. The complete galleries are provided at Olympus SZ-12 Gallery & Panasonic FX90 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Panasonic FX90
SZ-12 | FX90 |
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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 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2012 | ![]() | August 2011 | Similar age |
Manual focus | ![]() | No manual focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display size |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 460k | The 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FX90 Specifications
Olympus SZ-12 | Panasonic 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 |