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Olympus SZ-12 vs Samsung HZ35W

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Samsung HZ35W front
Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
42
Overall
37

Olympus SZ-12 vs Samsung HZ35W Key Specs

Olympus SZ-12
(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
Samsung HZ35W
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-360mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 245g - 107 x 61 x 28mm
  • Revealed June 2010
  • Additionally Known as WB650
Photography Glossary

Olympus SZ-12 vs Samsung HZ35W Overview

In this write-up, we will be comparing the Olympus SZ-12 versus Samsung HZ35W, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Samsung. The sensor resolution of the SZ-12 (14MP) and the HZ35W (12MP) is pretty similar and they possess the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ-12 was introduced 20 months later than the HZ35W which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving through a in depth comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the SZ-12 grades vs the HZ35W in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Samsung HZ35W

 SZ-12 HZ35W 
RevealedJanuary 2012June 2010Fresher by 20 months

Reasons to pick Samsung HZ35W over the Olympus SZ-12

 HZ35W SZ-12 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Screen resolution614k460kClearer screen (+154k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Samsung HZ35W

 SZ-12 HZ35W 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Olympus SZ-12 vs Samsung HZ35W Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry your camera frequently, you need to consider its weight and volume. The Olympus SZ-12 provides physical measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") having a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Samsung HZ35W has sizing of 107mm x 61mm x 28mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

Check out the Olympus SZ-12 versus Samsung HZ35W in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the SZ-12 and the HZ35W.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Samsung HZ35W size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-12 and HZ35W is 89 and 91 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Samsung HZ35W top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Samsung HZ35W Sensor Comparison

Often, its tough to visualize the contrast between sensor sizing just by reviewing technical specs. The graphic below will provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-12 and HZ35W.

As you can tell, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You should expect the Olympus SZ-12 to offer you extra detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots a little more aggressively. The more recent SZ-12 should have a benefit in sensor technology.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Samsung HZ35W sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Samsung HZ35W Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-12 vs Samsung HZ35W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Portrait photography advice
Samsung HZ35W Portrait photography advice
33
MP count decent (14MP)
offers face detection focus
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
34
you can focus manually
supports face detect focusing
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SZ-12
Street photography with Samsung HZ35W
60
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (226g)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (245g)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Sports photography camera
Samsung HZ35W as a Sports photography camera
40
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (220 CIPA)
no phase detect auto focus
42
long zoom range (24-360mm 15.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking focus
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Travel photography information
Samsung HZ35W Travel photography information
65
lighter than others in class (226g)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
bad battery pack (220 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
63
lighter than competition (245 grams)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
long zoom (360mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
MP count low (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Landscape photography features
Samsung HZ35W Landscape photography features
40
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
manual mode not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
bad battery pack (220 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse recording
43
you can focus manually
really wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Vlogging camera
Samsung HZ35W as a Vlogging camera
31
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detection focus
lighter than others in class (226 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic socket
31
really wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
lighter than competition (245g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
does not have selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone jack
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Samsung HZ35W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Samsung HZ35W
 Olympus SZ-12Samsung HZ35W
General Information
Brand Olympus Samsung
Model Olympus SZ-12 Samsung HZ35W
Alternative name - WB650
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2012-01-10 2010-06-16
Body design Compact Compact
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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-360mm (15.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focus distance - 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 614 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 16s
Max shutter speed 1/1700s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 5.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync
External flash
AE 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, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226 gr (0.50 lb) 245 gr (0.54 lb)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 107 x 61 x 28mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.1")
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 photos -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery model LI-50B SLB-11A
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double, Motion)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release $350 $300