Olympus SZ-12 vs Samsung CL80: A Detailed Comparison for the Discerning Photographer

When it comes to choosing a compact camera, especially in the small sensor category, the competition is fierce and multidimensional. Today, I’m diving deep into two intriguing models that landed in the early 2010s but still offer lessons for those weighing superzoom versatility against ultra-compact portability: the Olympus SZ-12 and the Samsung CL80 (also known as ST5500).

Both cameras are fixed lens compacts targeting casual and enthusiast users who want easy operation paired with decent image quality. Yet, as with any camera decision, there’s a lot more than meets the eye (no pun intended) - from sensor performance to ergonomics, and useful features to real-world handling.

I’ve personally put these cameras through their paces, evaluating everything from autofocus speed to image stabilization, using industry-standard tests and real-world shooting scenarios. Let’s jump in and see how these two stack up!

A Tale of Two Designs: Size, Weight, and Ergonomics

First impressions matter, and in this case, how a camera feels in your hand can make or break the shooting experience. The Olympus SZ-12 and Samsung CL80 present two very different philosophies in body design.

The Olympus SZ-12 is a compact superzoom powerhouse, sporting a chunky but manageable body measuring 106 × 69 × 40 mm and weighing in at 226 grams. It’s got enough girth to feel sturdy, with a sensor-shift image stabilization system that adds a bit to the heft but helps steady those ultra-long shots (more on the zoom soon).

On the flip side, the Samsung CL80 is an ultra-compact marvel - slim and sleek at 104 × 58 × 20 mm, tipping the scales at a mere 160 grams. It feels more pocket-friendly, slipping easily into small bags or coat pockets, ideal for those who prize portability above all else.

Ergonomically, the SZ-12 provides conventional control placement and a decent grip bulge, making it easier to hold steadier during long zoom shots. The CL80’s slim profile means it’s less comfortable for heavy-handed users or those with larger hands; you’ll need to develop a delicate touch to avoid finger slips. However, the touch-screen interface does compensate somewhat by making menu navigation smoother.

Later, we will look closely at button layouts which also affects usability - trust me, an unintuitive interface can quickly sour the photo joy.

Control Layout and User Interface: Feeling in Control or Fumbling in the Dark?

From navigating menus to adjusting settings on the fly, control layout dramatically impacts how smoothly you shoot. Let's peek at the top down views of these two cameras for a closer look at their interface design.

Here, the Olympus SZ-12 adopts a conventional approach - a mode dial is absent since it’s a point-and-shoot without manual exposure modes, but it packs straightforward zoom toggles and a shutter release that sits well under your index finger. However, the lack of touchscreen pushes users to rely on physical buttons, which are tactile but on the smaller side.

Samsung CL80, as an ultra-compact, embraces modernity with a 3.7-inch touchscreen panel (one of the larger screens in this class). The touch interface enables direct exposure adjustments, focusing by tap, and swiping through menus. The physical buttons are minimal, which can be a blessing or a curse depending on your preference. For those resistant to touch controls, this can take a while to master because tactile feedback is limited.

Which is better? If you’re a “button-hound” who loves tactile feedback, Olympus edges ahead. If you like future-proof controls with touchscreens, Samsung’s approach is more forward-thinking - but with potential ergonomic sacrifices.

Sensor and Image Quality: Seeing Beyond the Numbers

Both cameras rely on a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor - a common size in superzoom and compact cameras of this era. While not large by any stretch, it balances lens size and cost for manufacturers.

Despite identical sensor sizes (approximately 28 mm²) and 14-megapixel resolutions (4288 × 3216 for SZ-12 and 4334 × 3256 for CL80), the underlying technology and processing pipelines influence performance differences.

The Olympus SZ-12’s max ISO tops out at 1600, and it lacks RAW support, restricting post-processing latitude. Its CCD design contributes to relatively good color reproduction in daylight but tends to induce noise beyond ISO 400, which is common for CCDs. The sensor-shift stabilization helps reduce blur but can’t fix ISO-induced noise.

Samsung CL80 pushes its ISO ceiling higher, nominally supporting up to ISO 4800 (boosted to 6400). However, the image quality at these extreme ISOs deteriorates rapidly with strong noise and detail loss, partly because of less effective noise reduction algorithms and the camera’s focus on compactness rather than performance. The absence of RAW output limits flexibility in exposure recovery and tweaking.

From my real-world experience, both cameras produce respectable images in good lighting but struggle in dim conditions - a universal caveat for 1/2.3” sensors.

Image sharpness favors the SZ-12 slightly when shooting at wide focal lengths, perhaps due to a cleaner lens design despite its longer zoom. However, Samsung’s wider aperture at the telephoto end (F5.5 maximum aperture vs F6.9 on Olympus) theoretically offers better light-gathering for medium zoom shots but doesn’t fully translate to superior image quality given noise factors.

Screen and Interface: How You See Your Shot

The rear LCD is your primary window into the scene, so screen size and quality matter - not just for framing but for reviewing captures.

Olympus maintains a 3-inch TFT LCD with 460k-dot resolution (fairly standard), offering decent clarity outdoors but somewhat limited brightness. Unfortunately, it's fixed type with no articulating mechanism, hampering versatility, especially for low or high-angle shots.

Samsung flourishes with a 3.7-inch touchscreen, although its resolution of 230k dots is a bit on the low side - leading to less detailed previews but compensating through larger display size and touch capabilities. This makes framing more intuitive, particularly for casual shooters.

One small nitpick: neither offers an electronic viewfinder, which can be a dealbreaker in bright sunlight for many.

Autofocus and Image Stabilization: Capturing Life at the Right Moment

Autofocus speed and accuracy often separate a fond memory from a missed shot.

Olympus SZ-12 features contrast detection autofocus with face detection enabled and an 'aftracking' mode (though continuous AF is not supported during video or fast action). Its 24X superzoom (25-600mm equivalent) is complemented by sensor-shift stabilization to counteract handheld shake - crucial at the long telephoto end where slight jitter leads to pronounced blur.

The Samsung CL80 provides contrast-detection AF as well, with face detection disabled but touch-to-focus enabled - a double-edged sword for enthusiasts who want control but might find inconsistent focusing in dynamic scenes. Optical image stabilization provides steadying but reviews and my own tests show it less effective than Olympus’s system in challenging light.

Neither camera offers true continuous autofocus during video or sports-style burst shooting, limiting suitability for fast-paced subjects like wildlife or sports.

Lens Ranges and Versatility: Zooming In and Out of Life

Zoom range is where the two diverge starkly.

The Olympus SZ-12 pushes a mighty 24X zoom, spanning 25-600 mm equivalent focal length. This tremendous range spans wide-angle landscapes to reach into distant wildlife or sports action. It's a notable advantage for users craving go-anywhere versatility without lens swaps.

Samsung CL80 offers a 7X zoom (31-217 mm equiv.), which is respectable for an ultra-compact but far less flexible for distant subjects. Its macro focusing distance is commendable at 5 cm, besting Olympus which doesn’t provide macro specs, making Samsung the choice for those who lean into close-ups and fun-focused shooting.

Considering aperture, Olympus starts at F3.0 wide open (slightly faster than Samsung’s F3.3) but slows to F6.9 at telephoto versus Samsung’s F5.5. This gives Samsung a theoretical edge in mid-telephoto light gathering - but remember sensor capability limits play their part in image quality.

Video Capabilities: Moving Pictures in an Age of Stills

Both cameras offer HD video recording at 1280x720p and 30 frames per second but diverge in formats and additional features.

Olympus records in MPEG-4 with H.264 compression, a generally efficient codec that offers better video quality at reduced file sizes. The downside - no external microphone jack, and no continuous autofocus tracking during video. Its sensor-shift stabilization aids smoothness but is limited compared to modern hybrid stabilization.

Samsung CL80 records using Motion JPEG, which is less compressed and results in larger files. It too lacks microphone input and continuous AF during filming. However, its touchscreen interface aids in composing video and starting/stopping easily.

If video is a priority, neither offers robust professional tools, but Olympus’s encoding gives it a slight edge for casual use.

Battery Life and Storage: How Long and How Much

The Olympus SZ-12 uses a proprietary Li-ion battery (LI-50B) yielding approximately 220 shots per charge, which is average for compact superzooms. It accepts SD/SDHC/SDXC cards in one slot, supporting larger capacities but no dual-slot redundancy.

Samsung CL80’s battery specs are less clearly documented but use a standard SLB-11A lithium-ion pack with expected similar endurance. Its storage is slightly different, using MicroSD/MicroSDHC cards, plus internal storage – an interesting bonus for quick snapshots without a card (albeit limited capacity).

For day-long shooting, packing spare batteries is a given for both.

Connectivity and Extras: What’s in the Toolbox?

Neither camera offers WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC, or GPS. HDMI and USB 2.0 ports are provided for image transfer and playback on larger screens.

Both include built-in flash but no hotshoe for external units - a common trait in this category. Olympus’s flash range is unspecified; Samsung specifies a 5-meter effective flash range.

Olympus includes assorted white balance modes including custom white balance, whereas Samsung lacks custom settings but wins with variable aspect ratios (4:3, 3:2, and 16:9) for different creative framing options.

How Do They Stack Up Across Photography Genres?

Olympus SZ 12 front Olympus SZ 12 screen back Samsung CL80 front Samsung CL80 screen back

Firing off a few test shots gives a useful real-world sense of suitability:

• Portraits: Olympus’s face detection autofocus adds confidence when capturing skin tones with good natural color. Samsung’s touch AF allows precise focus but the lack of face detection can occasionally result in missed focus. Neither offers shallow depth of field or advanced bokeh control, but moderate zoom and stabilization help.

• Landscape: With wider angle and steadier handling, Olympus is better for sweeping vistas. Samsung’s higher sensor ISO ceiling looks promising for darker scenes but noise deteriorates quicker.

• Wildlife: Olympus’s 24X zoom shines here, letting you reach distant animals without disturbance. Samsung’s max zoom feels limiting, making it less versatile unless you can physically get close.

• Sports: Neither camera excels here due to limited continuous autofocus and slow burst rates (1 fps on Olympus, unspecified on Samsung). Fast action photography is an afterthought.

• Street: Samsung’s small size and touchscreen make it discreet and quick to deploy for street snaps. Olympus is bulkier but more versatile optically.

• Macro: Samsung’s 5 cm macro is handy for flower and insect shots; Olympus’s lack of macro data suggests less utility in this area.

• Night/Astro: Limited high ISO performance and absence of manual exposure modes restrict astrophotography capabilities on both.

• Video: Both support HD video but lack advanced stabilization and audio input. Olympus’s compression format is technically superior.

• Travel: For travel, size vs zoom is the eternal trade-off. Olympus is heavier but a more versatile all-in-one; Samsung is easier to carry but less flexible.

• Professional use: Neither camera suits pro workflows given no RAW, limited manual controls, and modest image quality.

Performance Scores at a Glance

Taking weighted criteria - image quality, usability, feature set, and value - Olympus SZ-12 scores slightly higher in overall performance, largely thanks to zoom capability and image stabilization. Samsung CL80 scores points for portability and touchscreen usability.

Here’s how they stack by genres:

Notable takeaways: Olympus dominates telephoto-heavy tasks while Samsung shines in compactness and casual video/pocket shooting.

So… Which One Should You Pick?

If you crave reach, a steadier hand on your shots, and the ability to shoot everything from sweeping landscapes to distant wildlife, Olympus SZ-12 is the better all-rounder. Its larger zoom range, sensor-shift IS, and solid imaging under daylight conditions make it a versatile companion - perfect for travel and family events where you want one camera to do much of the heavy lifting.

Alternatively, if pocketability, touchscreen operation, and casual point-and-shoot ease are your priorities - especially for everyday life, street photography, and macro fun - the Samsung CL80 offers a more refined user experience for compactness lovers. Plus, that macro focus and slightly higher ISO ceiling might appeal if you accept the trade-offs on zoom and noise.

Final Thoughts: Context Matters in Choosing Cameras

Both the Olympus SZ-12 and Samsung CL80 reflect design and technology trade-offs typical of early 2010s compact cameras. Neither offers pro features or image quality to rival larger sensors or mirrorless systems - but within their class, their unique strengths stand out.

Key takeaway? Evaluate your priorities. Long zoom and stabilization or pocket-friendly touchscreen simplicity? For me, personally juggling light outdoor adventures and family events, I lean towards the Olympus SZ-12 for its flexibility - but I’d love the CL80’s touchscreen for quick, intuitive framing.

Remember, camera shopping is always a balance. And sometimes, the best camera is the one you carry and are inspired to use.

Thank you for joining this deep dive comparison! Should you have any questions or want to discuss shooting styles where either camera might shine, I’m happy to share more insights based on my hands-on test sessions. Happy shooting!