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Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax X70

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Pentax X70 front
Portability
71
Imaging
34
Features
34
Overall
34

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax X70 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-12
(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
Pentax X70
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 50 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-624mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 410g - 110 x 83 x 90mm
  • Launched March 2009
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax X70 Overview

Its time to examine more closely at the Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax X70, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the SZ-12 (14MP) and the X70 (12MP) is relatively similar and they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ-12 was released 2 years after the X70 which is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SZ-12 being a Compact camera and the Pentax X70 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go through a more detailed comparison, below is a brief summary of how the SZ-12 grades vs the X70 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Pentax X70

 SZ-12 X70 
LaunchedJanuary 2012March 2009Newer by 35 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax X70 over the Olympus SZ-12

 X70 SZ-12 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing

Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Pentax X70

 SZ-12 X70 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax X70 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to travel with your camera frequently, you're going to have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-12 features outside measurements 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 X70 has dimensions of 110mm x 83mm x 90mm (4.3" x 3.3" x 3.5") having a weight of 410 grams (0.90 lbs).

Look at the Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax X70 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilising during that time. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the SZ-12 and the X70.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax X70 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ-12 and X70 is 89 and 71 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax X70 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax X70 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its hard to picture the difference between sensor dimensions merely by reviewing a spec sheet. The image below may give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-12 and X70.

Clearly, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You should count on the Olympus SZ-12 to deliver greater detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will help you crop shots a little more aggressively. The fresher SZ-12 provides an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax X70 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax X70 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax X70 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax X70 Portrait photography highlights
33
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
provides face detect focusing
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
28
focusing manually
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SZ-12
Street photography with Pentax X70
60
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (226g)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
46
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Sports photography info
Pentax X70 Sports photography info
40
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (14MP)
provides tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (220 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
50
amazing zoom range (26-624mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has tracking autofocus
comes with phase detect AF
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Travel photography highlights
Pentax X70 Travel photography highlights
65
lighter than competition (226g)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
not so great battery pack (220 CIPA)
does not contain selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
52
has built in flash
relatively wide (26mm)
great reach (624mm)
no Timelapse recording
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Landscape photography advice
Pentax X70 Landscape photography advice
40
quite wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
no manual exposure
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
not so great battery pack (220 shots)
does not have Time Lapse recording
35
focusing manually
relatively wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax X70 as a Vlogging camera
31
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detect focusing
lighter than competition (226 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
does not contain selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic port
24
relatively wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external microphone port
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax X70 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Pentax X70
 Olympus SZ-12Pentax X70
General Information
Make Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus SZ-12 Pentax X70
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2012-01-10 2009-03-02
Body design Compact SLR-like (bridge)
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 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 50
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 26-624mm (24.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focusing distance - 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1700 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 9.10 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in -
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance 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 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226 gr (0.50 pounds) 410 gr (0.90 pounds)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 110 x 83 x 90mm (4.3" x 3.3" x 3.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 shots -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID LI-50B D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Price at launch $350 $200