Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS1
89 Imaging
37 Features
36 Overall
36
91 Imaging
33 Features
25 Overall
29
Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS1 Key Specs
(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
- Launched January 2012
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
- 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
- Revealed May 2009
- Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ6
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Here, we will be comparing the Olympus SZ-12 versus Panasonic ZS1, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. There is a large difference between the image resolutions of the SZ-12 (14MP) and ZS1 (10MP) and the SZ-12 (1/2.3") and ZS1 (1/2.5") boast totally different sensor dimensions.
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or banThe SZ-12 was revealed 2 years after the ZS1 which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before diving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the SZ-12 grades against the ZS1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
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This is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus SZ-12 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1. The full galleries are viewable at Olympus SZ-12 Gallery & Panasonic ZS1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Panasonic ZS1
| SZ-12 | ZS1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revealed | January 2012 |  | May 2009 | More modern by 33 months |
| Screen size | 3" |  | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
| Screen resolution | 460k |  | 230k | Clearer screen (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS1 over the Olympus SZ-12
| ZS1 | SZ-12 |
|---|
Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic ZS1
| SZ-12 | ZS1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus |  | No manual focus | ||
| Screen type | Fixed |  | Fixed | Fixed screen |
| Selfie screen |  | Lacking selfie screen | ||
| Touch screen |  | Lacking Touch screen |
Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS1 Physical Comparison
When you are aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-12 provides exterior measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") having a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS1 has proportions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).
Examine the Olympus SZ-12 versus Panasonic ZS1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are using during that time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the SZ-12 versus the ZS1.
Using size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-12 and ZS1 is 89 and 91 respectively.
Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS1 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it is difficult to envision the gap between sensor sizes just by reviewing technical specs. The image below may offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-12 and ZS1.
As you can tell, the two cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The SZ-12 using its bigger sensor will make shooting shallow DOF easier and the Olympus SZ-12 will offer more detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The newer SZ-12 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.
Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS1 Screen and ViewFinder
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS1 Specifications
| Olympus SZ-12 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Company | Olympus | Panasonic |
| Model | Olympus SZ-12 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 |
| Also called | - | Lumix DMC-TZ6 |
| Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
| Launched | 2012-01-10 | 2009-05-14 |
| Physical type | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.5" |
| Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 5.744 x 4.308mm |
| Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 24.7mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 14MP | 10MP |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | - | 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 |
| Max resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 3648 x 2736 |
| Max native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
| Lowest native ISO | 80 | 100 |
| RAW data | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focus | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Continuous autofocus | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Autofocus center weighted | ||
| Autofocus multi area | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detection focus | ||
| Contract detection focus | ||
| Phase detection focus | ||
| Number of focus points | - | 11 |
| Cross focus points | - | - |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens focal range | 25-600mm (24.0x) | 25-300mm (12.0x) |
| Maximum aperture | f/3.0-6.9 | f/3.3-4.9 |
| Macro focus range | - | 3cm |
| Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 6.3 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen diagonal | 3 inch | 2.7 inch |
| Screen resolution | 460 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch functionality | ||
| Screen tech | TFT Color LCD | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 4 secs | 60 secs |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/1700 secs | 1/2000 secs |
| Continuous shutter rate | 1.0fps | 3.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Set white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash range | - | 5.30 m (Auto ISO) |
| Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AEB | ||
| 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) | 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
| Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 640x480 |
| Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
| 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 proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 226g (0.50 lb) | 229g (0.50 lb) |
| Physical dimensions | 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") | 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall 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 photographs | - |
| Battery style | Battery Pack | - |
| Battery model | 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/MMC/SDHC card, Internal |
| Card slots | 1 | 1 |
| Launch price | $350 | $0 |