Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax P70
89 Imaging
37 Features
36 Overall
36
![Olympus SZ-12 front Olympus SZ-12 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Olympus-SZ-12/Olympus-SZ-12-front.jpg)
![Pentax Optio P70 front Pentax Optio P70 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Pentax-Optio-P70/Pentax-P70-front.jpg)
95 Imaging
34 Features
20 Overall
28
Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax P70 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
- Introduced January 2012
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 64 - 6400
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-110mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
- 155g - 97 x 54 x 22mm
- Revealed March 2009
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax P70 Overview
On this page, we are matching up the Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax P70, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Ultracompact by brands Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the SZ-12 (14MP) and the P70 (12MP) is very similar and both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
The SZ-12 was manufactured 2 years after the P70 which is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Olympus SZ-12 being a Compact camera and the Pentax P70 being a Ultracompact camera.
Before going straight to a complete comparison, here is a short summary of how the SZ-12 scores vs the P70 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax P70 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus SZ-12 & Pentax Optio P70. The entire galleries are available at Olympus SZ-12 Gallery & Pentax P70 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Pentax P70
SZ-12 | P70 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | January 2012 | ![]() | March 2009 | More modern by 35 months |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Pentax P70 over the Olympus SZ-12
P70 | SZ-12 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial exact focusing |
Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Pentax P70
SZ-12 | P70 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Absent Touch friendly display |
Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax P70 Physical Comparison
For those who are aiming to carry around your camera, you'll need to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-12 has exterior measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") having a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Pentax P70 has measurements of 97mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") with a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs).
Analyze the Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax P70 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the SZ-12 vs the P70.
![Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax P70 size comparison Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax P70 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-SZ-12-vs-Pentax-Optio-P70-size-comparison.jpg)
Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-12 and P70 is 89 and 95 respectively.
![Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax P70 top view buttons comparison Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax P70 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-SZ-12-vs-Pentax-Optio-P70-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax P70 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, its difficult to imagine the difference between sensor sizes only by reviewing specs. The pic here should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-12 and P70.
As you can plainly see, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You can expect to see the Olympus SZ-12 to offer greater detail due to its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop pics a bit more aggressively. The newer SZ-12 provides an edge when it comes to sensor tech.
![Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax P70 sensor size comparison Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax P70 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Olympus-SZ-12-vs-Pentax-Optio-P70-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax P70 Screen and ViewFinder
![Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax P70 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax P70 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-SZ-12-vs-Pentax-Optio-P70-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax P70 Specifications
Olympus SZ-12 | Pentax Optio P70 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Pentax |
Model | Olympus SZ-12 | Pentax Optio P70 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Ultracompact |
Introduced | 2012-01-10 | 2009-03-02 |
Physical type | Compact | Ultracompact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14MP | 12MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Peak resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 64 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
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) | 28-110mm (3.9x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.0-6.9 | f/2.8-5.0 |
Macro focus range | - | 10cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
Screen resolution | 460 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen tech | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 4 seconds | 4 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/1700 seconds | 1/1000 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 1.0 frames/s | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | - | 4.60 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | - |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
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) | 1280 x 720 (15 fps), 848 x 480 (15 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 226 gr (0.50 lbs) | 155 gr (0.34 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") | 97 x 54 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") |
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 shots | - |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | LI-50B | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Launch price | $350 | $200 |