Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic SZ7
89 Imaging
37 Features
36 Overall
36


95 Imaging
37 Features
41 Overall
38
Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic SZ7 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
- Introduced January 2012
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
- 133g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
- Released January 2012

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic SZ7 Overview
Here, we are looking at the Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic SZ7, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SZ-12 (14MP) and the SZ7 (14MP) is very close and both cameras provide the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The SZ-12 was introduced at a similar time to the SZ7 so they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before delving into a detailed comparison, here is a quick overview of how the SZ-12 matches up versus the SZ7 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic SZ7 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7. The whole galleries are viewable at Olympus SZ-12 Gallery and Panasonic SZ7 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Panasonic SZ7
SZ-12 | SZ7 |
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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ7 over the Olympus SZ-12
SZ7 | SZ-12 |
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Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic SZ7
SZ-12 | SZ7 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2012 | ![]() | January 2012 | Same generation |
Focus manually | ![]() | No manual focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same display measurements |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 460k | Exact same display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Lack of Touch display |
Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic SZ7 Physical Comparison
If you're aiming to carry your camera regularly, you're going to have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-12 enjoys outer dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Panasonic SZ7 has measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs).
Take a look at the Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic SZ7 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you use at that time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the SZ-12 vs the SZ7.

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-12 and SZ7 is 89 and 95 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic SZ7 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it can be difficult to envision the contrast in sensor sizing only by looking through specifications. The photograph here may give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-12 and SZ7.
Plainly, both of these cameras feature the identical sensor size and the same exact resolution so you should expect comparable quality of photographs but you will want to factor the production date of the cameras into account.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic SZ7 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic SZ7 Specifications
Olympus SZ-12 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model | Olympus SZ-12 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2012-01-10 | 2012-01-09 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 4320 x 3240 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | - | 23 |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 25-600mm (24.0x) | 25-250mm (10.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.0-6.9 | f/3.1-5.9 |
Macro focus range | - | 4cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 460k dots | 460k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Display tech | TFT Color LCD | TFT Color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 4 secs | 8 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/1700 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 1.0 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | - | 5.60 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
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, 30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Microphone 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 | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 226g (0.50 lbs) | 133g (0.29 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") | 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 220 shots | 220 shots |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | LI-50B | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | One | One |
Pricing at launch | $350 | $199 |