Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic SZ8
89 Imaging
37 Features
36 Overall
36


94 Imaging
40 Features
31 Overall
36
Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic SZ8 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)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
- 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
- Released January 2014

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview
Here, we will be comparing the Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic SZ8, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the SZ-12 (14MP) and the SZ8 (16MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras provide the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

The SZ-12 was released 24 months before the SZ8 which makes them a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before going straight to a complete comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the SZ-12 scores vs the SZ8 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic SZ8 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8. The complete galleries are viewable at Olympus SZ-12 Gallery and Panasonic SZ8 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Panasonic SZ8
SZ-12 | SZ8 |
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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Olympus SZ-12
SZ8 | SZ-12 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2014 | ![]() | January 2012 | Newer by 24 months |
Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic SZ8
SZ-12 | SZ8 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen size |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 460k | The same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither provides selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Lacking Touch friendly screen |
Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison
In case you're planning to travel with your camera regularly, you'll have to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus SZ-12 provides outside dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") along with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ8 has sizing of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).
Check out the Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic SZ8 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the SZ-12 against the SZ8.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-12 and SZ8 is 89 and 94 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison
Often, it's difficult to picture the difference between sensor dimensions just by checking specs. The picture underneath will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-12 and SZ8.
All in all, both of the cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You should expect the Panasonic SZ8 to give extra detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The more aged SZ-12 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications
Olympus SZ-12 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model type | Olympus SZ-12 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Introduced | 2012-01-10 | 2014-01-06 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | - | Venus Engine |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 4608 x 3456 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 1600 |
Max enhanced ISO | - | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | - | 9 |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 25-600mm (24.0x) | 24-288mm (12.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.0-6.9 | f/3.1-6.3 |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3" | 3" |
Display resolution | 460 thousand dot | 460 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Display tech | TFT Color LCD | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 4 seconds | 8 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/1700 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 1.0 frames/s | 1.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | - | 5.20 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off |
External flash | ||
AE 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) | 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 226 grams (0.50 lbs) | 159 grams (0.35 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") | 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") |
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 images | 200 images |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | 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 |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail price | $350 | $275 |