Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax H90
89 Imaging
37 Features
36 Overall
36


93 Imaging
35 Features
24 Overall
30
Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax H90 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
- Released January 2012
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
- 153g - 101 x 65 x 28mm
- Released January 2010

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax H90 Overview
Below, we will be analyzing the Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax H90, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SZ-12 (14MP) and the H90 (12MP) is relatively close and they enjoy the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The SZ-12 was manufactured 24 months after the H90 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before delving through a detailed comparison, below is a brief summary of how the SZ-12 scores vs the H90 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax H90 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus SZ-12 and Pentax Optio H90. The entire galleries are viewable at Olympus SZ-12 Gallery and Pentax H90 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Pentax H90
SZ-12 | H90 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2012 | ![]() | January 2010 | More modern by 24 months |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Pentax H90 over the Olympus SZ-12
H90 | SZ-12 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial precise focusing |
Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Pentax H90
SZ-12 | H90 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither contains selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither contains Touch screen |
Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax H90 Physical Comparison
If you're intending to carry around your camera regularly, you'll have to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-12 has got outside dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Pentax H90 has proportions of 101mm x 65mm x 28mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.1") having a weight of 153 grams (0.34 lbs).
Look at the Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax H90 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the SZ-12 vs the H90.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-12 and H90 is 89 and 93 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax H90 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it's hard to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes just by looking through specifications. The pic below will give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-12 and H90.
Plainly, both of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Olympus SZ-12 to render extra detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The fresher SZ-12 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax H90 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax H90 Specifications
Olympus SZ-12 | Pentax Optio H90 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Olympus | Pentax |
Model | Olympus SZ-12 | Pentax Optio H90 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Released | 2012-01-10 | 2010-01-25 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | - | Prime |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 4000 x 3000 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | - | 9 |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 25-600mm (24.0x) | 28-140mm (5.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.0-6.9 | f/3.5-5.9 |
Macro focus range | - | 10cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3 inch | 2.7 inch |
Screen resolution | 460k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Screen technology | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 4 secs | 4 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/1700 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 1.0 frames per second | 1.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | - | 4.00 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) | 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 226g (0.50 pounds) | 153g (0.34 pounds) |
Dimensions | 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") | 101 x 65 x 28mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.1") |
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 photos | - |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | LI-50B | D-LI68 |
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 |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch cost | $350 | $150 |