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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic XS1

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1 front
Portability
97
Imaging
40
Features
26
Overall
34

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic XS1 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
  • Launched January 2012
Panasonic XS1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 103g - 94 x 54 x 14mm
  • Launched January 2013
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic XS1 Overview

Lets look a bit more in depth at the Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic XS1, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SZ-12 (14MP) and the XS1 (16MP) is pretty comparable and both cameras offer the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SZ-12 was announced 12 months prior to the XS1 so they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a short summation of how the SZ-12 scores versus the XS1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Panasonic XS1

 SZ-12 XS1 
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic XS1 over the Olympus SZ-12

 XS1 SZ-12 
LaunchedJanuary 2013January 2012More modern by 12 months

Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic XS1

 SZ-12 XS1 
Manually focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic XS1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry around your camera, you are going to need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-12 enjoys exterior 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) whilst the Panasonic XS1 has measurements of 94mm x 54mm x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6") with a weight of 103 grams (0.23 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic XS1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you choose at the time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the SZ-12 and the XS1.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic XS1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ-12 and XS1 is 89 and 97 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic XS1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic XS1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its hard to see the gap in sensor sizes purely by going through specifications. The image below might offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-12 and XS1.

To sum up, both cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Panasonic XS1 to show extra detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more aged SZ-12 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic XS1 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic XS1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic XS1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-12
Portrait photography with Panasonic XS1
33
megapixel count good (14MP)
offers face detection autofocus
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
30
good megapixels (16MP)
no manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SZ-12
Street photography with Panasonic XS1
60
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (226 grams)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
64
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (103 grams)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Sports photography info
Panasonic XS1 Sports photography info
40
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (14MP)
offers tracking autofocus
slow fps (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (220 CIPA)
has no phase detect autofocus
41
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SZ-12
Travel photography with Panasonic XS1
65
lighter than others in class (226g)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
terrible battery power (220 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
69
lighter than average in class (103 grams)
good megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
missing Timelapse function
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic XS1 as a Landscape photography camera
40
decently wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual exposure
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
terrible battery power (220 shots)
does not have Timelapse mode
39
fairly wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
no manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual control
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Vlogging info
Panasonic XS1 Vlogging info
31
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detection autofocus
lighter than others in class (226 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone socket
31
fairly wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (103 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone jack
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic XS1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic XS1
 Olympus SZ-12Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SZ-12 Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2012-01-10 2013-01-07
Body design 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 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Maximum resolution 4288 x 3216 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/2.8-6.9
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT Color LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1700s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 4.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226 grams (0.50 pounds) 103 grams (0.23 pounds)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 94 x 54 x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6")
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 260 photos
Form 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 feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail price $350 $130