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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic TS2

Portability
89
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS2 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
29
Overall
33

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic TS2 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-12
(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
Panasonic TS2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-128mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 188g - 99 x 63 x 24mm
  • Released January 2010
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FT2
  • Previous Model is Panasonic TS1
  • New Model is Panasonic TS3
Photography Glossary

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic TS2 Overview

Here, we will be contrasting the Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic TS2, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Waterproof by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the SZ-12 (14MP) and the TS2 (14MP) is pretty close and both cameras have the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SZ-12 was revealed 24 months after the TS2 which makes them a generation away from one another. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the SZ-12 scores against the TS2 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Panasonic TS2

 SZ-12 TS2 
ReleasedJanuary 2012January 2010Newer by 24 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic TS2 over the Olympus SZ-12

 TS2 SZ-12 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic TS2

 SZ-12 TS2 
Focus manually No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic TS2 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you will need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-12 features external 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) while the Panasonic TS2 has proportions of 99mm x 63mm x 24mm (3.9" x 2.5" x 0.9") having a weight of 188 grams (0.41 lbs).

Look at the Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic TS2 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you choose during that time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the SZ-12 and the TS2.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic TS2 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-12 and TS2 is 89 and 93 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic TS2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic TS2 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's tough to envision the difference in sensor dimensions simply by viewing technical specs. The pic below will help offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-12 and TS2.

As you have seen, the two cameras come with the identical sensor size and the identical MP and you can expect comparable quality of pictures although you need to consider the launch date of the cameras into account. The more recent SZ-12 will have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic TS2 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic TS2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic TS2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Portrait photography info
Panasonic TS2 Portrait photography info
34
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
features face detection focus
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
28
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SZ-12
Street photography with Panasonic TS2
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (226 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
weather sealing
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Sports photography info
Panasonic TS2 Sports photography info
41
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
features tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (220 per charge)
lack of phase detect auto focus
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
features tracking autofocus
weather sealing
low max shutter speed (1/1,300s)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Travel photography info
Panasonic TS2 Travel photography info
65
lighter than average in class (226 grams)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
not so great battery life (220 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.0)
67
weather sealing
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic TS2 as a Landscape photography camera
40
rather wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
not so great battery life (220 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
40
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
weather sealing
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Vlogging features
Panasonic TS2 Vlogging features
31
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection focus
lighter than average in class (226 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone socket
28
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic support
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic TS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic TS2
 Olympus SZ-12Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS2
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SZ-12 Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS2
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-FT2
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Revealed 2012-01-10 2010-01-26
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Venus Engine HD II
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 area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4288 x 3216 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 28-128mm (4.6x)
Maximum aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1700s 1/1300s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 5.10 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB 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 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD Lite
Mic 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226g (0.50 lbs) 188g (0.41 lbs)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 99 x 63 x 24mm (3.9" x 2.5" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 photos -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $350 $350