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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FZ28

Portability
89
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28 front
Portability
72
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FZ28 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
  • Launched January 2012
Panasonic FZ28
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 27-486mm (F2.8-4.4) lens
  • 417g - 118 x 75 x 89mm
  • Released January 2009
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FZ28 Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic FZ28, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Olympus and Panasonic. There is a crucial difference among the resolutions of the SZ-12 (14MP) and FZ28 (10MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SZ-12 was revealed 3 years later than the FZ28 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a concise overview of how the SZ-12 matches up against the FZ28 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Panasonic FZ28

 SZ-12 FZ28 
ReleasedJanuary 2012January 2009More recent by 37 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ28 over the Olympus SZ-12

 FZ28 SZ-12 
Focus manually More exact focus

Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic FZ28

 SZ-12 FZ28 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FZ28 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to lug around your camera, you will have to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus SZ-12 enjoys external measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Panasonic FZ28 has sizing of 118mm x 75mm x 89mm (4.6" x 3.0" x 3.5") with a weight of 417 grams (0.92 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic FZ28 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have attached during that time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the SZ-12 versus the FZ28.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FZ28 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-12 and FZ28 is 89 and 72 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FZ28 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FZ28 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be hard to envision the contrast in sensor measurements only by researching a spec sheet. The visual here may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-12 and FZ28.

As you can see, each of these cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Olympus SZ-12 to provide you with greater detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more modern SZ-12 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FZ28 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FZ28 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FZ28 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Portrait photography features
Panasonic FZ28 Portrait photography features
34
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
features face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
35
focusing manually
saves RAW files
external flash not possible
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Street photography details
Panasonic FZ28 Street photography details
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (226g)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FZ28 as a Sports photography camera
41
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery (220 shots)
does not have phase detect autofocus
33
long zoom range (27-486mm 18.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second low (3.0 fps)
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Travel photography advice
Panasonic FZ28 Travel photography advice
65
lighter than competition (226 grams)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
missing Timelapse function
low battery (220 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
52
built-in flash
rather wide (27mm)
great zoom (486mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic FZ28 as a Landscape photography camera
40
relatively wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
low battery (220 per charge)
missing Timelapse function
40
focusing manually
rather wide (27mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SZ-12
Vlogging with Panasonic FZ28
31
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection autofocus
lighter than competition (226g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone jack
24
rather wide (27mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic support
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic FZ28 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic FZ28
 Olympus SZ-12Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus SZ-12 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2012-01-10 2009-01-15
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 14MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4288 x 3216 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 27-486mm (18.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/2.8-4.4
Macro focus range - 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1700s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 8.50 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, Red-Eye Auto, On, Red-Eye On, Red-Eye Slow Sync, Off, Slow Sync (1&2)
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1280 x 720 @ 30 fps, 848 x 480, 640 x 480, 320 x 240 @ 30fps, 320 x 240 @ 10fps
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226 gr (0.50 lb) 417 gr (0.92 lb)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 118 x 75 x 89mm (4.6" x 3.0" x 3.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 27
DXO Color Depth score not tested 17.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 10.1
DXO Low light score not tested 79
Other
Battery life 220 pictures -
Form 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 shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $350 $599