Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax K-S2

Lets look more closely at the Olympus SZ-12 and Pentax K-S2, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Olympus and Pentax. There is a noticeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the SZ-12 (14MP) and K-S2 (20MP) and the SZ-12 (1/2.3") and K-S2 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor measurements.

Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

The SZ-12 was launched 4 years earlier than the K-S2 which is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus SZ-12 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-S2 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting right into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise overview of how the SZ-12 matches up versus the K-S2 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus SZ-12 & Pentax K-S2. The complete galleries are viewable at Olympus SZ-12 Gallery & Pentax K-S2 Gallery.

For anyone who is going to carry around your camera often, you have to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-12 provides outside dimensions 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-S2 has specifications of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") and a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus SZ-12 and Pentax K-S2 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have at that moment. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the SZ-12 vs the K-S2.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-12 and K-S2 is 89 and 64 respectively.

Usually, it's tough to see the contrast between sensor sizes purely by looking at specs. The picture underneath may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-12 and K-S2.

All in all, each of the cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The SZ-12 featuring a tinier sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field more difficult and the Pentax K-S2 will give you more detail utilizing its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos more aggressively. The more aged SZ-12 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.