Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax X90
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 X90 front Pentax X90 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Pentax-X90/Pentax-X90-front.jpg)
69 Imaging
35 Features
34 Overall
34
Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax X90 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
- Launched January 2012
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 26-676mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
- 428g - 111 x 85 x 110mm
- Released July 2010
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax X90 Overview
Lets look closer at the Olympus SZ-12 versus Pentax X90, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by brands Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the SZ-12 (14MP) and the X90 (12MP) is very well matched and they possess the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
The SZ-12 was announced 19 months later than the X90 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SZ-12 being a Compact camera and the Pentax X90 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.
Before diving through a in-depth comparison, below is a short highlight of how the SZ-12 grades against the X90 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax X90 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus SZ-12 & Pentax X90. The whole galleries are available at Olympus SZ-12 Gallery & Pentax X90 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Pentax X90
SZ-12 | X90 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2012 | ![]() | July 2010 | Fresher by 19 months |
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper display (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Olympus SZ-12
X90 | SZ-12 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very precise focus |
Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Pentax X90
SZ-12 | X90 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither comes with selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | No Touch friendly display |
Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax X90 Physical Comparison
For those who are going to carry your camera regularly, you have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-12 comes with exterior 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) while the Pentax X90 has proportions of 111mm x 85mm x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") along with a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs).
Look at the Olympus SZ-12 versus Pentax X90 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising at that time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the SZ-12 compared to the X90.
![Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax X90 size comparison Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax X90 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-SZ-12-vs-Pentax-X90-size-comparison.jpg)
Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-12 and X90 is 89 and 69 respectively.
![Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax X90 top view buttons comparison Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax X90 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-SZ-12-vs-Pentax-X90-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax X90 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it is very tough to visualise the difference between sensor sizing only by reading through a spec sheet. The photograph underneath will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-12 and X90.
Clearly, both the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Olympus SZ-12 to give greater detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The younger SZ-12 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.
![Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax X90 sensor size comparison Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax X90 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Olympus-SZ-12-vs-Pentax-X90-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax X90 Screen and ViewFinder
![Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax X90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax X90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-SZ-12-vs-Pentax-X90-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/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-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/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax X90 Specifications
Olympus SZ-12 | Pentax X90 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Olympus | Pentax |
Model type | Olympus SZ-12 | Pentax X90 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Launched | 2012-01-10 | 2010-07-06 |
Body design | Compact | SLR-like (bridge) |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | - | 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 area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | - | 9 |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 25-600mm (24.0x) | 26-676mm (26.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.0-6.9 | f/2.8-5.0 |
Macro focusing distance | - | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3" | 2.7" |
Resolution of screen | 460 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen tech | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Electronic |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 4 secs | 4 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/1700 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 1.0 frames/s | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | - | 9.10 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | - |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
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, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
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 seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 226 grams (0.50 pounds) | 428 grams (0.94 pounds) |
Dimensions | 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") | 111 x 85 x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") |
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 photographs | - |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | LI-50B | D-L106 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC, Internal |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch cost | $350 | $350 |