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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic TS4

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS4 front
Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
33
Overall
34

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic TS4 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
  • Introduced January 2012
Panasonic TS4
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-128mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 197g - 103 x 64 x 27mm
  • Released January 2012
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-FT4
  • Succeeded the Panasonic TS3
  • Updated by Panasonic TS5
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic TS4 Overview

Below, we are reviewing the Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic TS4, 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 TS4 (12MP) is fairly close and they come with the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ-12 was announced about the same time to the TS4 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go through a detailed comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the SZ-12 scores vs the TS4 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Panasonic TS4

 SZ-12 TS4 
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic TS4 over the Olympus SZ-12

 TS4 SZ-12 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic TS4

 SZ-12 TS4 
ReleasedJanuary 2012January 2012Same generation
Manually focus No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic TS4 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry around your camera regularly, you have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-12 comes with external measurements 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 TS4 has measurements of 103mm x 64mm x 27mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1") having a weight of 197 grams (0.43 lbs).

Examine the Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic TS4 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are using during that time. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the SZ-12 against the TS4.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic TS4 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-12 and TS4 is 89 and 92 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic TS4 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic TS4 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's difficult to picture the gap in sensor sizes merely by viewing technical specs. The image underneath might provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-12 and TS4.

As you have seen, the two cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different MP. You should anticipate the Olympus SZ-12 to provide you with more detail with its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics much more aggressively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic TS4 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic TS4 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic TS4 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-12
Portrait photography with Panasonic TS4
33
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
supports face detect focusing
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
21
focusing manually not possible
no external flash support
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Street photography factors
Panasonic TS4 Street photography factors
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others (226 grams)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
environment proofing
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SZ-12
Sports photography with Panasonic TS4
40
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
low frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery (220 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect AF
38
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking autofocus
environment proofing
good battery power (310 shots)
max shutter speed is low (1/1,300 seconds)
slow fps (4.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Travel photography details
Panasonic TS4 Travel photography details
65
lighter than others (226g)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
bad battery (220 CIPA)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
66
good battery power (310 per charge)
environment proofing
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-12
Landscape photography with Panasonic TS4
40
really wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not available
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
bad battery (220 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse mode
41
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
environment proofing
good battery power (310 shots)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Vlogging info
Panasonic TS4 Vlogging info
31
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect focusing
lighter than others (226 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic socket
32
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
lack of external microphone support
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic TS4 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic TS4
 Olympus SZ-12Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS4
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus SZ-12 Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS4
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-FT4
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Introduced 2012-01-10 2012-01-31
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Venus Engine FHD
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 surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 23
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 28-128mm (4.6x)
Max aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech TFT Color LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/1700s 1/1300s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per second 4.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 5.60 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest 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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226g (0.50 lbs) 197g (0.43 lbs)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 103 x 64 x 27mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1")
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 pictures 310 pictures
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 feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at launch $350 $399