Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS100

On this page, we will be contrasting the Olympus SZ-12 versus Panasonic ZS100, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. There is a significant difference among the sensor resolutions of the SZ-12 (14MP) and ZS100 (20MP) and the SZ-12 (1/2.3") and ZS100 (1") have different sensor dimensions.

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The SZ-12 was launched 5 years earlier than the ZS100 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus SZ-12 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic ZS100 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before we go right into a full comparison, here is a simple summary of how the SZ-12 scores against the ZS100 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Below is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100. The complete galleries are viewable at Olympus SZ-12 Gallery and Panasonic ZS100 Gallery.

If you are intending to carry around your camera, you will need to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-12 offers physical 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) and the Panasonic ZS100 has proportions of 111mm x 65mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7") along with a weight of 312 grams (0.69 lbs).

Check out the Olympus SZ-12 versus Panasonic ZS100 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have chosen at the time. The following is a front view scale comparison of the SZ-12 against the ZS100.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-12 and ZS100 is 89 and 87 respectively.

In many cases, its hard to imagine the difference in sensor sizes purely by looking through technical specs. The picture below will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-12 and ZS100.

As you can tell, the two cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The SZ-12 featuring a smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field harder and the Panasonic ZS100 will render greater detail utilizing its extra 6MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more aged SZ-12 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.