Olympus SZ-12 vs Samsung NX mini
89 Imaging
37 Features
36 Overall
36


93 Imaging
51 Features
68 Overall
57
Olympus SZ-12 vs Samsung NX mini Key Specs
(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
(Full Review)
- 20.5MP - 1" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 160 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
- 1/16000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Samsung NX-M Mount
- 196g - 110 x 62 x 23mm
- Revealed March 2014

Olympus SZ-12 vs Samsung NX mini Overview
Below, we will be analyzing the Olympus SZ-12 vs Samsung NX mini, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Olympus and Samsung. There is a big difference between the resolutions of the SZ-12 (14MP) and NX mini (20.5MP) and the SZ-12 (1/2.3") and NX mini (1") come with different sensor measurements.

The SZ-12 was revealed 3 years earlier than the NX mini and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SZ-12 being a Compact camera and the Samsung NX mini being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before getting through a step-by-step comparison, below is a short introduction of how the SZ-12 matches up against the NX mini when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Samsung NX mini Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus SZ-12 and Samsung NX mini. The full galleries are available at Olympus SZ-12 Gallery and Samsung NX mini Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Samsung NX mini
SZ-12 | NX mini |
---|
Reasons to pick Samsung NX mini over the Olympus SZ-12
NX mini | SZ-12 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | March 2014 | ![]() | January 2012 | Fresher by 26 months |
Manual focus | ![]() | More exact focus | ||
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen resolution | 461k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper screen (+1k dot) |
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Samsung NX mini
SZ-12 | NX mini | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical screen measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither includes selfie screen |
Olympus SZ-12 vs Samsung NX mini Physical Comparison
When you are aiming to carry your camera frequently, you will want to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-12 features physical dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") and a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Samsung NX mini has proportions of 110mm x 62mm x 23mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 0.9") having a weight of 196 grams (0.43 lbs).
Check the Olympus SZ-12 vs Samsung NX mini in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the SZ-12 vs the NX mini.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-12 and NX mini is 89 and 93 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Samsung NX mini Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is tough to picture the difference between sensor sizing purely by reading a spec sheet. The visual underneath will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-12 and NX mini.
As you can see, the 2 cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The SZ-12 having a tinier sensor is going to make shooting bokeh trickier and the Samsung NX mini will offer you extra detail because of its extra 6.5 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs much more aggressively. The older SZ-12 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Samsung NX mini Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Samsung NX mini Specifications
Olympus SZ-12 | Samsung NX mini | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Olympus | Samsung |
Model | Olympus SZ-12 | Samsung NX mini |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Announced | 2012-01-10 | 2014-03-19 |
Physical type | Compact | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 13.2 x 8.8mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 116.2mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixel | 20.5 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 5472 x 3648 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 12800 |
Max enhanced ISO | - | 25600 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 160 |
RAW photos | ||
Lowest enhanced ISO | - | 100 |
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | - | 21 |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | Samsung NX-M |
Lens focal range | 25-600mm (24.0x) | - |
Max aperture | f/3.0-6.9 | - |
Number of lenses | - | 2 |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 2.7 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display diagonal | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 460k dots | 461k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Display technology | TFT Color LCD | TFT-LCD (180 degree tilt) |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 4s | 30s |
Max shutter speed | 1/1700s | 1/16000s |
Continuous shutter rate | 1.0fps | 6.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | Smart Flash, auto, auto + redeye reduction, fill-in, fill-in + redeye reduction, 1st curtain, 2nd curtain |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | - | 1/200s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) | 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720, 640 x 480, 320 x 240 (all 30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 226 gr (0.50 lb) | 196 gr (0.43 lb) |
Dimensions | 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") | 110 x 62 x 23mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 0.9") |
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 shots | 650 shots |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | LI-50B | B740 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) | Yes (2-30 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail price | $350 | $530 |