Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic Lumix FZ300: A Deep Dive into Small Sensor Superzoom Cameras for 2024

Choosing the right superzoom bridge camera for your photography journey isn’t just about specs on paper. It’s about understanding how cameras perform in everyday use – across various photography styles, lighting conditions, and creative goals. Today, we explore two popular compact superzoom cameras from Olympus and Panasonic: the Olympus SZ-12 and the Panasonic Lumix FZ300. Though they share a similar sensor size and focal length range, these models have different design philosophies, features, and user experiences.

Having tested both extensively in studio and real-world conditions, our goal is to guide you through their strengths, weaknesses, and ideal use cases - so you can find the perfect tool that supports your creative vision.

A First Look: Physical Design and Controls

One of the first elements to consider when choosing a camera is its handling and ergonomics. Superzoom cameras sit between compact point-and-shoots and DSLRs, aiming to balance portability with creative control.

Size and ergonomic comparison clearly shows how the FZ300 is significantly larger and beefier, suited to sustained shooting, while the SZ-12 prioritizes compactness.

The Olympus SZ-12 is extremely pocket-friendly and straightforward, perfect if you want simple walk-around superzoom capabilities without fuss. However, it lacks a viewfinder and has a fixed rear screen with modest resolution, which might hamper usability in bright outdoor conditions.

Conversely, the Lumix FZ300 sports a robust “bridge” design, offering a comfortable grip that drastically reduces shake during long zooms. Its fully articulating touchscreen plus a crisp electronic viewfinder provide multiple compositional aids, making it friendlier for diverse shooting situations, including video and macro.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of Your Photographs

Both cameras use a 1/2.3" sensor measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm with an area of ~28 mm² – a common size for superzoom cameras. This small sensor design trades image quality and depth-of-field control for long zoom reach and compactness.

Sensor size parity but CMOS architecture on the FZ300 generally yields better noise handling and faster readout.

The Panasonic FZ300’s CMOS sensor outperforms the Olympus SZ-12’s older CCD sensor, especially in dynamic range, low light performance, and processing speed. Our lab tests showed the FZ300 producing cleaner images at ISO 800 and above with better detail retention. The availability of RAW files with the FZ300 gives you more leeway in post-processing, critical for dynamic scenes and professional workflows.

In contrast, the SZ-12’s CCD sensor, while capable of capturing sharp daylight images, struggles with noise beyond ISO 400 and has no RAW support, which limits creative flexibility.

Lens and Zoom: Reach and Aperture Performance

Both models feature a powerful 25-600 mm equivalent zoom, covering a 24x range. However, their aperture performance differs notably.

The Olympus SZ-12 offers a respectable superzoom with a max aperture of f/3.0 at wide, but it dims rapidly to f/6.9 at telephoto lengths. This narrowing aperture limits its performance in low light and ability to create smooth background blur.

The Panasonic FZ300’s lens barrel is larger and more complex, accommodating the constant f/2.8 aperture and rugged build.

The Panasonic FZ300 shines here with a constant f/2.8 aperture throughout the zoom range. This bright aperture allows you to shoot at faster shutter speeds, tease portraits with subject separation, and capture macro details even in dimmer conditions. Additionally, its minimum focusing distance of just 1 cm unlocks serious macro potential.

Both cameras incorporate image stabilization, but Panasonic’s optical system is more effective with long telephoto reach and video. Olympus sensor-shift works well but cannot fully compensate at maximum zoom lengths.

Autofocus and Shooting Responsiveness

Smooth and precise autofocus is crucial for capturing fleeting moments, especially in wildlife or sports.

The FZ300’s autofocus system is significantly more sophisticated. Its 49 contrast-detection points span the frame, enabling accurate continuous autofocus and tracking for moving subjects. The camera also supports face detection and selective AF points, adding creative control.

In comparison, the SZ-12 offers basic autofocus with single and face detection modes, but lacks continuous AF tracking and has only a single frame per second burst. This limits its suitability for fast action and wildlife photography.

Video Capabilities for the Modern Creator

Video is integral for most photographers today, whether for vlogging, storytelling, or multimedia content.

The Olympus SZ-12 is quite limited here: HD video maxes out at 720p and 30 fps, without stabilization optimized for video or external mic support. This restricts its use for quality video production or vlogging.

In contrast, the Panasonic FZ300 boasts 4K Ultra HD video, full HD at 60 fps, optical stabilization for smooth footage, and a microphone input for improved audio capture. The fully articulating touchscreen helps focus and framing during handheld video shooting, making it ideal if you want a hybrid photo-video superzoom camera.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing: Shooting in Tough Conditions

Shooting outdoors often means exposure to rain, dust, or fatigue during long sessions.

If you’re frequently shooting outdoors or traveling in demanding environments, the Panasonic FZ300’s weather-sealed body can be a lifesaver. It withstands rain and dust, enabling uninterrupted shooting.

On the other hand, the lightweight SZ-12 has no such protections and a somewhat flimsier plastic build, which might concern shooters venturing beyond leisurely daylight photography.

Battery Life and Connectivity: Staying powered and connected

Your shooting time and workflow efficiency often depend on reliable battery life and connectivity options.

The Panasonic FZ300 offers almost double the battery life compared to the SZ-12, allowing longer shooting days without swap-outs. The built-in Wi-Fi connectivity allows seamless image transfer and remote control via smartphones - a major advantage for today’s social or professional photographers.

The SZ-12’s lack of wireless connectivity limits integration with mobile workflows.

Seeing Is Believing: Real-world Image Samples and Color Science

Image quality also reflects lens rendering, processing characteristics, and color science – all subjective but critical for photographers.

Olympus SZ 12 front Olympus SZ 12 screen back Panasonic FZ300 front Panasonic FZ300 screen back

We've put both cameras through varied lighting, from bright outdoor landscapes to indoor portraits and macro work. The Panasonic FZ300 delivers more faithful colors, better detail in shadows and highlights, and more impactful background separation thanks to its brighter lens.

The SZ-12, while capable of decent daylight photos, exhibits more noise and less vibrant colors, especially at higher ISO values or telephoto lengths.

Performance Ratings and Specialty Shooting Genres

The real test is how each camera performs across different photography types. Here are expert-assigned scores reflecting our assessment of their capabilities:

Where Each Camera Shines: Strengths and Weaknesses

Olympus SZ-12

Strengths:

• Ultra light and compact; pockets easily
• Very affordable for casual superzoom needs
• Simple operation for beginners

Weaknesses:

• Limited low-light and high ISO performance
• Poor video specs; no 4K, no mic input
• Basic autofocus and slow burst rate
• Lack of weather sealing and wireless connectivity

Ideal for casual users who prioritize portability over advanced features, mostly shooting daylight scenic zooms and travel snapshots.

Panasonic Lumix FZ300

Strengths:

• Bright constant f/2.8 aperture lens enables creative control
• 4K video and robust stabilization for hybrid shooters
• Precise and fast autofocus with tracking
• Weather-sealed rugged body built for tough conditions
• Articulating touchscreen and EVF for diverse shooting angles
• Superior battery life and wireless features

Weaknesses:

• Heavier and bulkier; less discreet for street shooting
• Higher price point requires budget consideration

Perfect for enthusiasts and pros needing a versatile all-rounder bridge camera capable of doing portraits, wildlife, macro, video, and landscape work with confidence.

Matching Cameras to Your Photography Goals

Wrapping Up: The Smart Choice for Your Superzoom Needs

The Olympus SZ-12 offers tremendous value for casual photography enthusiasts who want a lightweight, easy-to-carry camera providing a long photographic reach without complexity. Its straightforward interface and compactness suit holiday snapshots or beginner-level zoom photography but note its limitations in image quality, speed, and creative versatility.

In contrast, the Panasonic Lumix FZ300 is a true hybrid powerhouse packed with modern features that meet the demands of advanced amateurs and professionals alike. Its bright constant aperture lens, weather sealing, fast autofocus, extensive video capabilities, and superb ergonomics make it an excellent all-around superzoom bridge camera.

The Panasonic’s articulating touchscreen enhances versatility, while the SZ-12’s fixed LCD reflects its straightforward design.

If your budget allows and your creative ambitions include wildlife, sports, portraits, macro work, or serious video, the Panasonic FZ300 is the clear winner. However, if simplicity, size, and price are paramount, the Olympus SZ-12 is a respectable, no-frills superzoom companion.

Remember, the right camera is the one that empowers you to create, explore, and grow as a photographer. We encourage you to visit a camera store, handle both of these models, and test their features in person to see which fits your creative flow. Look for the right lenses or accessories to complement your choice and get started on your photographic journey with confidence.

Happy shooting!