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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS10

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 front
Portability
91
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS10 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
  • Announced January 2012
Panasonic ZS10
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 219g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Announced January 2011
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ20 / Lumix DMC-TZ22
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS10 Overview

Here, we will be comparing the Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic ZS10, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SZ-12 (14MP) and the ZS10 (14MP) is pretty similar and both cameras provide the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ-12 was manufactured 12 months after the ZS10 and they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple summation of how the SZ-12 scores versus the ZS10 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Panasonic ZS10

 SZ-12 ZS10 
AnnouncedJanuary 2012January 2011Newer by 12 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS10 over the Olympus SZ-12

 ZS10 SZ-12 
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic ZS10

 SZ-12 ZS10 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Screen resolution460k460kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS10 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera frequently, you'll need to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-12 has outside 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 ZS10 has proportions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 219 grams (0.48 lbs).

Check out the Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic ZS10 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have chosen at the time. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the SZ-12 vs the ZS10.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS10 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-12 and ZS10 is 89 and 91 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS10 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS10 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its tough to see the contrast between sensor dimensions only by going over technical specs. The pic below will offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-12 and ZS10.

As you have seen, each of the cameras come with the identical sensor size and the same resolution and you should expect similar quality of pictures however you will need to factor the production date of the products into consideration. The fresher SZ-12 will have a benefit in sensor technology.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS10 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS10 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS10 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic ZS10 Portrait photography highlights
33
decent MP (14MP)
has face detect focus
manual focus not available
no manual control
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
30
MP count good (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Street photography factors
Panasonic ZS10 Street photography factors
60
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (226g)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
65
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports focus via touch
lighter than competition in class (219 grams)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Sports photography information
Panasonic ZS10 Sports photography information
40
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (14MP)
has tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (220 per charge)
has no phase detect auto focus
47
amazing zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (260 CIPA)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS10 as a Travel photography camera
65
lighter than average in class (226g)
decent MP (14MP)
flash built-in
really wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
no Timelapse function
not so great battery power (220 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
67
lighter than competition in class (219g)
supports focus via touch
MP count good (14MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
great reach (384mm)
no Time Lapse mode
terrible battery power (260 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Landscape photography information
Panasonic ZS10 Landscape photography information
40
really wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (14MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
no manual control
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
not so great battery power (220 CIPA)
no Timelapse function
42
fairly wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
terrible battery power (260 shots)
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic ZS10 Vlogging highlights
31
really wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect focus
lighter than average in class (226 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone jack
34
fairly wide (24mm)
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (219g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
no external mic port
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS10 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic ZS10
 Olympus SZ-12Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SZ-12 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-TZ20 / Lumix DMC-TZ22
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2012-01-10 2011-01-25
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4288 x 3216 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 23
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1700 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 5.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure 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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226 grams (0.50 pounds) 219 grams (0.48 pounds)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
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 images 260 images
Battery form 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 shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $350 $350