Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic SZ5
Portability
89 Imaging
37 Features
36 Overall
36
89 Imaging
37 Features
36 Overall
36
Portability
95 Imaging
38 Features
34 Overall
36
95 Imaging
38 Features
34 Overall
36
Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic SZ5 Key Specs
Olympus SZ-12
(Full Review)
(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 SZ5
(Full Review)
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 1600 (Expand to 6400)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
- 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
- Announced July 2012
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Lets take a deeper look at the Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic SZ5, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SZ-12 (14MP) and the SZ5 (14MP) is very close and both cameras provide the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or banThe SZ-12 was revealed 6 months before the SZ5 and they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before we go right into a complete comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the SZ-12 matches up against the SZ5 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
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Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus SZ-12 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5. The full galleries are available at Olympus SZ-12 Gallery & Panasonic SZ5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Panasonic SZ5
| SZ-12 | SZ5 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display resolution | 460k |  | 230k | Clearer display (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Olympus SZ-12
| SZ5 | SZ-12 |
|---|
Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic SZ5
| SZ-12 | SZ5 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Announced | January 2012 |  | July 2012 | Same age |
| Focus manually |  | Lack of manual focusing | ||
| Display type | Fixed |  | Fixed | Fixed display |
| Display dimensions | 3" |  | 3" | Equal display measurements |
| Selfie screen |  | Missing selfie screen | ||
| Touch friendly display |  | Missing Touch friendly display |
Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic SZ5 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is planning to lug around your camera often, you will have to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-12 comes with exterior measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") having a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Panasonic SZ5 has measurements of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs).
Take a look at the Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic SZ5 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have at that time. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the SZ-12 and the SZ5.
Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-12 and SZ5 is 89 and 95 respectively.
Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic SZ5 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it is tough to picture the difference in sensor measurements simply by researching a spec sheet. The graphic below should provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-12 and SZ5.
As you can see, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the exact same MP and you can expect comparable quality of photographs although you should factor the age of the cameras into account.
Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and ViewFinder
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Portrait Comparison
Olympus SZ-12 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic SZ5 Portrait photography advice
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
includes face detect autofocus
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
includes face detect focusing
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Olympus SZ-12 Street photography features
Panasonic SZ5 Street photography features
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (226g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (136 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Olympus SZ-12 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic SZ5 Sports photography highlights
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
includes tracking focus
slow frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery (220 per charge)
no phase detect autofocus
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
max frames per second low (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesTravel Comparison
Olympus SZ-12 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic SZ5 as a Travel photography camera
lighter than competition (226 grams)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
no Timelapse recording
terrible battery (220 shots)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.0)
lighter than average in class (136 grams)
MP count decent (14MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
does not have selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Olympus SZ-12 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic SZ5 as a Landscape photography camera
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
terrible battery (220 CIPA)
no Timelapse recording
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not available
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Time Lapse mode
Photography GlossaryVlogging Comparison
Olympus SZ-12 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic SZ5 Vlogging highlights
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect autofocus
lighter than competition (226 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone support
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
lighter than average in class (136g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
does not have selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic port
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic SZ5 Specifications
| Olympus SZ-12 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand | Olympus | Panasonic |
| Model type | Olympus SZ-12 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 |
| Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
| Launched | 2012-01-10 | 2012-07-18 |
| Body design | 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 | 14MP |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | - | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Max resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 4320 x 3240 |
| Max native ISO | 1600 | 1600 |
| Max enhanced ISO | - | 6400 |
| Lowest native ISO | 80 | 100 |
| RAW support | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focusing | ||
| Touch to focus | ||
| Autofocus continuous | ||
| Single autofocus | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Autofocus center weighted | ||
| Multi area autofocus | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detection autofocus | ||
| Contract detection autofocus | ||
| Phase detection autofocus | ||
| Total focus points | - | 23 |
| Cross type focus points | - | - |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens zoom range | 25-600mm (24.0x) | 25-250mm (10.0x) |
| Largest aperture | f/3.0-6.9 | f/3.1-5.9 |
| Macro focusing distance | - | 5cm |
| Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
| Screen | ||
| Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
| Resolution of screen | 460k dot | 230k dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch capability | ||
| Screen technology | TFT Color LCD | TFT Screen LCD |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 4 seconds | 8 seconds |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/1700 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
| Continuous shutter speed | 1.0 frames/s | 2.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Custom white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash distance | - | 5.60 m |
| Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync |
| External flash | ||
| AEB | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment exposure | ||
| Average exposure | ||
| Spot exposure | ||
| Partial exposure | ||
| AF area exposure | ||
| Center weighted exposure | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) | 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps) |
| Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
| Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4 |
| Mic jack | ||
| Headphone jack | ||
| 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 seal | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 226g (0.50 lb) | 136g (0.30 lb) |
| Physical dimensions | 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") | 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") |
| 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 pictures | 250 pictures |
| Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | LI-50B | - |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) | Yes (2 or 10 secs) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
| Storage slots | One | One |
| Price at release | $350 | $195 |