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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic SZ7

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 front
Portability
95
Imaging
37
Features
41
Overall
38

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic SZ7 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-12
(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
Panasonic SZ7
(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
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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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Panasonic SZ7

 SZ-12 SZ7 

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ7 over the Olympus SZ-12

 SZ7 SZ-12 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic SZ7

 SZ-12 SZ7 
ReleasedJanuary 2012January 2012Same generation
Focus manually No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display measurements
Display resolution460k460kExact 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic SZ7 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic SZ7 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic SZ7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Portrait photography features
Panasonic SZ7 Portrait photography features
33
good megapixels (14MP)
provides face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
33
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
supports face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Street photography highlights
Panasonic SZ7 Street photography highlights
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others (226 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (133 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SZ-12
Sports photography with Panasonic SZ7
40
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (220 per charge)
does not have phase detect AF
43
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
supports tracking autofocus
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Travel photography information
Panasonic SZ7 Travel photography information
65
lighter than others (226g)
good megapixels (14MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
bad battery pack (220 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
70
lighter than average (133 grams)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
very long zoom (250mm)
lack of Timelapse function
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Landscape photography information
Panasonic SZ7 Landscape photography information
40
fairly wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
no manual exposure
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
bad battery pack (220 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
42
decently wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Vlogging factors
Panasonic SZ7 Vlogging factors
31
fairly wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection focusing
lighter than others (226g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic support
35
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average (133 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
lack of external microphone support
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic SZ7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic SZ7
 Olympus SZ-12Panasonic 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