Clicky

Olympus SZ-12 vs Ricoh G900

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Ricoh G900 front
Portability
89
Imaging
47
Features
46
Overall
46

Olympus SZ-12 vs Ricoh G900 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
  • Launched January 2012
Ricoh G900
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 247g - 118 x 66 x 33mm
  • Announced February 2018
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Olympus SZ-12 vs Ricoh G900 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Olympus SZ-12 and Ricoh G900, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Waterproof by companies Olympus and Ricoh. There is a noticeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the SZ-12 (14MP) and G900 (20MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

The SZ-12 was launched 7 years before the G900 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the SZ-12 matches up versus the G900 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Ricoh G900

 SZ-12 G900 

Reasons to pick Ricoh G900 over the Olympus SZ-12

 G900 SZ-12 
AnnouncedFebruary 2018January 2012Fresher by 74 months
Manually focus More exact focusing
Screen resolution1040k460kClearer screen (+580k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Ricoh G900

 SZ-12 G900 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Olympus SZ-12 vs Ricoh G900 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry your camera often, you need to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-12 enjoys 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 Ricoh G900 has specifications of 118mm x 66mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 247 grams (0.54 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus SZ-12 and Ricoh G900 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing at that time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the SZ-12 and the G900.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Ricoh G900 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-12 and G900 is 89 and 89 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Ricoh G900 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Ricoh G900 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very difficult to visualise the difference between sensor sizing purely by checking a spec sheet. The photograph underneath might give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-12 and G900.

Clearly, both the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Ricoh G900 to give you extra detail utilizing its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs more aggressively. The older SZ-12 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Ricoh G900 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Ricoh G900 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-12 vs Ricoh G900 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Portrait photography information
Ricoh G900 Portrait photography information
33
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
has face detection autofocus
no manual focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
45
has manual focus
good MP (20MP)
provides face detect focus
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Street photography highlights
Ricoh G900 Street photography highlights
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (226 grams)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
60
has image stabilization (Digital)
weather proof
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
heavier than competitors in class (247g)
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Sports photography information
Ricoh G900 Sports photography information
40
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery (220 shots)
has no phase detect autofocus
54
has image stabilization (Digital)
good MP (20MP)
provides tracking focus
weather proof
good battery power (340 per charge)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Travel photography features
Ricoh G900 Travel photography features
65
lighter than competition (226 grams)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
terrible battery (220 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
70
good battery power (340 per charge)
weather proof
good MP (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
heavier than competitors in class (247 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Landscape photography information
Ricoh G900 Landscape photography information
40
really wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
no manual exposure
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
terrible battery (220 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
56
has manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Digital)
good MP (20MP)
weather proof
good battery power (340 per charge)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual exposure
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SZ-12
Vlogging with Ricoh G900
31
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detection autofocus
lighter than competition (226 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic jack
32
fairly wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Digital)
provides face detect focus
good video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have mic jack
heavier than competitors in class (247 grams)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Olympus SZ-12 vs Ricoh G900 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Ricoh G900
 Olympus SZ-12Ricoh G900
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Ricoh
Model type Olympus SZ-12 Ricoh G900
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Launched 2012-01-10 2018-02-21
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2
Full resolution 4288 x 3216 5184 x 3888
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 125
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460k dot 1,040k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1700 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 5.50 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Flash on, flash off
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 3840x2160
Max video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Supports FlashAir SD cards
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) DB-110 lithium-ion battery & USB charger
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226g (0.50 lb) 247g (0.54 lb)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 118 x 66 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 1.3")
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 photographs 340 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC Internal + SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots 1 1
Retail price $350 $752