Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax K100D S
89 Imaging
37 Features
36 Overall
36


65 Imaging
45 Features
38 Overall
42
Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax K100D S Key Specs
(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
- Revealed January 2012
(Full Review)
- 6MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Screen
- ISO 200 - 3200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 646g - 129 x 91 x 71mm
- Introduced June 2007
- Superseded the Pentax K100D
- Updated by Pentax K200D

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax K100D S Overview
Let's look a bit more closely at the Olympus SZ-12 and Pentax K100D S, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Olympus and Pentax. There exists a huge gap between the resolutions of the SZ-12 (14MP) and K100D S (6MP) and the SZ-12 (1/2.3") and K100D S (APS-C) provide totally different sensor dimensions.

The SZ-12 was unveiled 4 years later than the K100D S and that is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus SZ-12 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K100D S being a Compact SLR camera.
Before getting straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the SZ-12 grades vs the K100D S in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax K100D S Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus SZ-12 and Pentax K100D Super. The full galleries are viewable at Olympus SZ-12 Gallery and Pentax K100D S Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Pentax K100D S
SZ-12 | K100D S | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | January 2012 | ![]() | June 2007 | Fresher by 56 months |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 210k | Sharper screen (+250k dot) |
Reasons to pick Pentax K100D S over the Olympus SZ-12
K100D S | SZ-12 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More accurate focus |
Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Pentax K100D S
SZ-12 | K100D S | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Missing Touch friendly screen |
Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax K100D S Physical Comparison
If you are intending to carry your camera often, you should factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-12 offers external measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") along with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Pentax K100D S has proportions of 129mm x 91mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.8") along with a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).
Look at the Olympus SZ-12 and Pentax K100D S in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you select at that time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the SZ-12 compared to the K100D S.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ-12 and K100D S is 89 and 65 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax K100D S Sensor Comparison
Typically, it is hard to envision the contrast between sensor sizing merely by going over a spec sheet. The photograph underneath should give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-12 and K100D S.
As you can see, both of those cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The SZ-12 having a tinier sensor will make shooting bokeh tougher and the Olympus SZ-12 will deliver more detail having an extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures more aggressively. The fresher SZ-12 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax K100D S Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax K100D S Specifications
Olympus SZ-12 | Pentax K100D Super | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Pentax |
Model type | Olympus SZ-12 | Pentax K100D Super |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Entry-Level DSLR |
Revealed | 2012-01-10 | 2007-06-28 |
Body design | Compact | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 23.5 x 15.7mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 369.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixel | 6 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 3:2 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 3008 x 2008 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 200 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | - | 11 |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | Pentax KAF2 |
Lens zoom range | 25-600mm (24.0x) | - |
Highest aperture | f/3.0-6.9 | - |
Amount of lenses | - | 151 |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3" | 2.5" |
Screen resolution | 460 thousand dot | 210 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Screen technology | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 96% |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.57x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 4 seconds | 30 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/1700 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 1.0 frames per second | 3.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | - | 1/180 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) | - |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | None |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | - |
Mic 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 | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 226g (0.50 lbs) | 646g (1.42 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") | 129 x 91 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 photos | - |
Battery format | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | LI-50B | 4 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC card |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Launch cost | $350 | $520 |