Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic GF2
89 Imaging
37 Features
36 Overall
36


88 Imaging
47 Features
50 Overall
48
Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic GF2 Key Specs
(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
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 310g - 113 x 68 x 33mm
- Released February 2011
- Old Model is Panasonic GF1
- Newer Model is Panasonic GF3

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic GF2 Overview
Its time to look more closely at the Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic GF2, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SZ-12 (14MP) and the GF2 (12MP) is fairly similar but the SZ-12 (1/2.3") and GF2 (Four Thirds) posses totally different sensor sizing.

The SZ-12 was announced 11 months after the GF2 so they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus SZ-12 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic GF2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before getting right into a full comparison, here is a brief summary of how the SZ-12 grades versus the GF2 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic GF2 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus SZ-12 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2. The whole galleries are viewable at Olympus SZ-12 Gallery & Panasonic GF2 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Panasonic GF2
SZ-12 | GF2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2012 | ![]() | February 2011 | More modern by 11 months |
Reasons to pick Panasonic GF2 over the Olympus SZ-12
GF2 | SZ-12 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More exact focus | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic GF2
SZ-12 | GF2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same display measurement |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 460k | Equal display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen |
Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic GF2 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera frequently, you need to consider its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-12 has got physical measurements 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 GF2 has specifications of 113mm x 68mm x 33mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.3") along with a weight of 310 grams (0.68 lbs).
See the Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic GF2 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have attached at the time. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the SZ-12 versus the GF2.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-12 and GF2 is 89 and 88 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic GF2 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it is very difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes just by reviewing a spec sheet. The pic underneath may give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-12 and GF2.
Clearly, both of the cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The SZ-12 having a tinier sensor will make getting shallow depth of field tougher and the Olympus SZ-12 will offer more detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The fresher SZ-12 will have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic GF2 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic GF2 Specifications
Olympus SZ-12 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model | Olympus SZ-12 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2012-01-10 | 2011-02-24 |
Physical type | Compact | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | - | Venus Engine FHD |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | Four Thirds |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 4000 x 3000 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Number of focus points | - | 23 |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | Micro Four Thirds |
Lens focal range | 25-600mm (24.0x) | - |
Largest aperture | f/3.0-6.9 | - |
Amount of lenses | - | 107 |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of screen | 460k dots | 460k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen tech | TFT Color LCD | TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 4 secs | 60 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/1700 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 1.0 frames/s | 3.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | - | 6.00 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | - | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | AVCHD, Motion JPEG |
Microphone 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 | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 226 gr (0.50 lbs) | 310 gr (0.68 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") | 113 x 68 x 33mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | 54 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 21.2 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 10.3 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 506 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 220 photos | 300 photos |
Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | LI-50B | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Cost at release | $350 | $330 |