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Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax K-1

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Pentax K-1 front
Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax K-1 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-12
(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
  • Released January 2012
Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Launched February 2016
  • Updated by Pentax K-1 II
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax K-1 Overview

Below, we will be reviewing the Olympus SZ-12 versus Pentax K-1, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by companies Olympus and Pentax. There is a large difference between the sensor resolutions of the SZ-12 (14MP) and K-1 (36MP) and the SZ-12 (1/2.3") and K-1 (Full frame) use different sensor measurements.

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The SZ-12 was brought out 5 years earlier than the K-1 which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SZ-12 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting straight into a thorough comparison, below is a short summary of how the SZ-12 matches up against the K-1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Pentax K-1

 SZ-12 K-1 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Olympus SZ-12

 K-1 SZ-12 
LaunchedFebruary 2016January 2012Newer by 49 months
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimension3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k460kSharper screen (+577k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Pentax K-1

 SZ-12 K-1 
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax K-1 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to travel with your camera, you have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-12 comes with external measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") having a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Pentax K-1 has dimensions of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") and a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Compare the Olympus SZ-12 versus Pentax K-1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the SZ-12 against the K-1.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax K-1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-12 and K-1 is 89 and 55 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax K-1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax K-1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very hard to imagine the gap between sensor dimensions simply by reviewing a spec sheet. The pic below will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-12 and K-1.

As you can see, each of these cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The SZ-12 because of its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF tougher and the Pentax K-1 will deliver extra detail having its extra 22 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots much more aggressively. The more aged SZ-12 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax K-1 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Portrait photography camera
33
decent MP (14 megapixels)
includes face detection focus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
85
has manual focus
excellent megapixels (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Street photography advice
Pentax K-1 Street photography advice
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (226g)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
70
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
very good ISO range (204,800)
more heavy than average (1,010g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Sports photography features
Pentax K-1 Sports photography features
40
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (220 shots)
lacks phase detect auto focus
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent megapixels (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
slow continuous shooting (4.4 fps)
low battery pack (760 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SZ-12
Travel photography with Pentax K-1
65
lighter than competitors (226g)
decent MP (14MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
not so great battery life (220 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
53
weather proofing
excellent megapixels (36 megapixels)
low battery pack (760 shots)
more heavy than average (1,010g)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Landscape photography information
Pentax K-1 Landscape photography information
40
pretty wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual exposure
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
not so great battery life (220 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse function
81
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent megapixels (36 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
no anti-alias filter
very good ISO range (204,800)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
has double storage slots
low battery pack (760 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-1 as a Vlogging camera
31
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection focus
lighter than competitors (226g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone jack
31
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes microphone port
does not contain selfie friendly screen
more heavy than average (1,010 grams)
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax K-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Pentax K-1
 Olympus SZ-12Pentax K-1
General Information
Company Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus SZ-12 Pentax K-1
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Released 2012-01-10 2016-02-17
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 36 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2
Max resolution 4288 x 3216 7360 x 4912
Max native ISO 1600 204800
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 33
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.0-6.9 -
Total lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.8 1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1700 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per sec 4.4 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/200 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226g (0.50 lbs) 1010g (2.23 lbs)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 96
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 25.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 3280
Other
Battery life 220 shots 760 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Storage slots 1 2
Launch price $350 $1,499