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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic TS20

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS20 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
28
Overall
34

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic TS20 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
  • Announced January 2012
Panasonic TS20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-100mm (F3.9-5.7) lens
  • 142g - 101 x 58 x 19mm
  • Introduced January 2012
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FT20
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic TS20 Overview

On this page, we are evaluating the Olympus SZ-12 versus Panasonic TS20, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Waterproof by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the SZ-12 (14MP) and the TS20 (16MP) is very similar and both cameras have the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ-12 was released at a similar time to the TS20 and they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a detailed comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the SZ-12 grades versus the TS20 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Panasonic TS20

 SZ-12 TS20 
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic TS20 over the Olympus SZ-12

 TS20 SZ-12 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic TS20

 SZ-12 TS20 
IntroducedJanuary 2012January 2012Similar generation
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic TS20 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry around your camera, you have to think about its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-12 offers external measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Panasonic TS20 has specifications of 101mm x 58mm x 19mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 0.7") along with a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus SZ-12 versus Panasonic TS20 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you choose during that time. Below is a front view size comparison of the SZ-12 compared to the TS20.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic TS20 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-12 and TS20 is 89 and 95 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic TS20 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic TS20 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes purely by reading technical specs. The image here should provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-12 and TS20.

As you have seen, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You should expect to see the Panasonic TS20 to offer extra detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics more aggressively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic TS20 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic TS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic TS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic TS20 as a Portrait photography camera
33
megapixel count decent (14MP)
has face detection autofocus
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
30
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic TS20 as a Street photography camera
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (226g)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
67
built in image stabilization (Optical)
environment proofing
lighter than competition (142 grams)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SZ-12
Sports photography with Panasonic TS20
40
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
has tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (220 CIPA)
has no phase detect autofocus
41
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
offers tracking focus
environment proofing
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,300s)
low frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Travel photography details
Panasonic TS20 Travel photography details
65
lighter than competition in class (226g)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
does not have Timelapse function
not so great battery pack (220 shots)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
70
lighter than competition (142 grams)
environment proofing
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.9)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Landscape photography details
Panasonic TS20 Landscape photography details
40
really wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not available
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
not so great battery pack (220 shots)
does not have Timelapse function
41
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
environment proofing
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.9)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SZ-12
Vlogging with Panasonic TS20
31
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detection autofocus
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone jack
31
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (142 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.9)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone support
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic TS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic TS20
 Olympus SZ-12Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS20
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SZ-12 Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS20
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-FT20
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Announced 2012-01-10 2012-01-31
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4288 x 3216 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 23
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.9-5.7
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT Color LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 8 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1700 seconds 1/1300 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 4.40 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
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 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226g (0.50 pounds) 142g (0.31 pounds)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 101 x 58 x 19mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 0.7")
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 photos 250 photos
Battery style 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 feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $350 $179