Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax E90
89 Imaging
37 Features
36 Overall
36


94 Imaging
33 Features
11 Overall
24
Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax E90 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- 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
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 3200
- 1280 x 720 video
- 32-95mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
- 145g - 102 x 59 x 25mm
- Announced January 2010

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax E90 Overview
Here is a complete assessment of the Olympus SZ-12 and Pentax E90, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Pentax. There exists a considerable gap among the sensor resolutions of the SZ-12 (14MP) and E90 (10MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The SZ-12 was launched 24 months later than the E90 making them a generation apart from one another. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before diving into a complete comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the SZ-12 scores against the E90 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax E90 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus SZ-12 & Pentax Optio E90. The complete galleries are provided at Olympus SZ-12 Gallery & Pentax E90 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Pentax E90
SZ-12 | E90 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | January 2012 | ![]() | January 2010 | Fresher by 24 months |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Pentax E90 over the Olympus SZ-12
E90 | SZ-12 |
---|
Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Pentax E90
SZ-12 | E90 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | No manual focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither features Touch friendly display |
Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax E90 Physical Comparison
If you are intending to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-12 enjoys external dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Pentax E90 has specifications of 102mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0") along with a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs).
Take a look at the Olympus SZ-12 and Pentax E90 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are working with at that moment. Following is a front view size comparison of the SZ-12 compared to the E90.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-12 and E90 is 89 and 94 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax E90 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it's tough to imagine the difference in sensor sizing purely by looking through a spec sheet. The graphic underneath will provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-12 and E90.
As you can see, both the cameras feature the identical sensor size but different MP. You can expect to see the Olympus SZ-12 to provide you with extra detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop images way more aggressively. The newer SZ-12 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax E90 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax E90 Specifications
Olympus SZ-12 | Pentax Optio E90 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Olympus | Pentax |
Model | Olympus SZ-12 | Pentax Optio E90 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Announced | 2012-01-10 | 2010-01-25 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | - | Prime |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixel | 10 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 3648 x 2736 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | - | 3 |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 25-600mm (24.0x) | 32-95mm (3.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.0-6.9 | f/3.1-5.9 |
Macro focus distance | - | 6cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
Resolution of display | 460 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display tech | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 4 seconds | 4 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/1700 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 1.0fps | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | - | 3.50 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | - |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance 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) | 1280 x 720 (15 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
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 | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 226g (0.50 lbs) | 145g (0.32 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") | 102 x 59 x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 photographs | - |
Battery format | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | LI-50B | 2 x AA |
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, Internal |
Storage slots | One | One |
Cost at release | $350 | $100 |