Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS20
Portability
89 Imaging
37 Features
36 Overall
36
89 Imaging
37 Features
36 Overall
36
Portability
92 Imaging
37 Features
46 Overall
40
92 Imaging
37 Features
46 Overall
40
Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs
Olympus SZ-12
(Full Review)
(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
- Announced January 2012
Panasonic ZS20
(Full Review)
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
- 206g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
- Revealed April 2012
- Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ30
- Previous Model is Panasonic ZS15
- Updated by Panasonic ZS25
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Below, we will be matching up the Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic ZS20, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the SZ-12 (14MP) and the ZS20 (14MP) is pretty close and they enjoy the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhoneThe SZ-12 was revealed 3 months before the ZS20 so they are of a similar age. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before getting straight into a full comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the SZ-12 matches up vs the ZS20 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
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This is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus SZ-12 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20. The full galleries are provided at Olympus SZ-12 Gallery & Panasonic ZS20 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Panasonic ZS20
| SZ-12 | ZS20 |
|---|
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Olympus SZ-12
| ZS20 | SZ-12 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Touch friendly screen |  | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic ZS20
| SZ-12 | ZS20 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revealed | January 2012 |  | April 2012 | Same age |
| Manually focus |  | Lack of manual focus | ||
| Screen type | Fixed |  | Fixed | Fixed screen |
| Screen dimension | 3" |  | 3" | Identical screen sizing |
| Screen resolution | 460k |  | 460k | Exact same screen resolution |
| Selfie screen |  | No selfie screen |
Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is looking to travel with your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-12 enjoys outside measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") and a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS20 has specifications of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).
Analyze the Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic ZS20 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use at that time. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the SZ-12 compared to the ZS20.
Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-12 and ZS20 is 89 and 92 respectively.
Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison
Typically, its difficult to visualize the gap in sensor dimensions purely by researching specs. The image below might give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-12 and ZS20.
As you can plainly see, the two cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the identical resolution so you can expect comparable quality of files although you really should take the age of the cameras into account.
Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder
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Portrait Comparison
Olympus SZ-12 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Portrait photography camera
MP count good (14 megapixels)
features face detection focus
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Olympus SZ-12 Street photography advice
Panasonic ZS20 Street photography advice
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (226 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports focus by touch
lighter than average (206g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Olympus SZ-12 Sports photography factors
Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography factors
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
low battery life (220 per charge)
lack of phase detect auto focus
amazing zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
includes tracking autofocus
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery (260 shots)
lack of phase detect AF
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Olympus SZ-12 Travel photography advice
Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography advice
lighter than competition (226g)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
low battery life (220 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
lighter than average (206 grams)
supports focus by touch
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
very long zoom (480mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
bad battery (260 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Olympus SZ-12 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Landscape photography camera
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not available
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
low battery life (220 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse recording
pretty wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
bad battery (260 per charge)
lack of Timelapse mode
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Olympus SZ-12 Vlogging details
Panasonic ZS20 Vlogging details
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection focus
lighter than competition (226 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone port
pretty wide (24mm)
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Optical)
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average (206 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of external microphone jack
Photography Glossary
Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications
| Olympus SZ-12 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Company | Olympus | Panasonic |
| Model | Olympus SZ-12 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 |
| Also referred to as | - | Lumix DMC-TZ30 |
| Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
| Announced | 2012-01-10 | 2012-04-26 |
| Body design | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
| 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 | 14 megapixel |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | - | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Maximum resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 4320 x 3240 |
| Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
| Min native ISO | 80 | 100 |
| RAW images | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focus | ||
| AF touch | ||
| AF continuous | ||
| AF single | ||
| AF tracking | ||
| Selective AF | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| Multi area AF | ||
| AF live view | ||
| Face detection AF | ||
| Contract detection AF | ||
| Phase detection AF | ||
| Number of focus points | - | 23 |
| Cross focus points | - | - |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens focal range | 25-600mm (24.0x) | 24-480mm (20.0x) |
| Maximal aperture | f/3.0-6.9 | f/3.3-6.4 |
| Macro focus distance | - | 3cm |
| Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
| Resolution of screen | 460k dot | 460k dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch function | ||
| Screen tech | TFT Color LCD | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Slowest shutter speed | 4 seconds | 15 seconds |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/1700 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
| Continuous shooting speed | 1.0 frames per sec | 10.0 frames per sec |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
| Custom WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash range | - | 6.40 m |
| Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro |
| External flash | ||
| AE 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 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps) |
| Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
| Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
| 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 | BuiltIn |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental seal | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 226 gr (0.50 pounds) | 206 gr (0.45 pounds) |
| Dimensions | 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") | 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" 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 images | 260 images |
| Style of battery | 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 |
| Storage slots | One | One |
| Launch cost | $350 | $349 |