Olympus SZ-12 vs Samsung NX11

The following is a extended assessment of the Olympus SZ-12 and Samsung NX11, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Olympus and Samsung. The resolution of the SZ-12 (14MP) and the NX11 (15MP) is relatively similar but the SZ-12 (1/2.3") and NX11 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor measurements.

Photography Glossary

The SZ-12 was introduced 13 months after the NX11 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SZ-12 being a Compact camera and the Samsung NX11 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a short highlight of how the SZ-12 matches up against the NX11 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus SZ-12 and Samsung NX11. The whole galleries are available at Olympus SZ-12 Gallery and Samsung NX11 Gallery.

When you are intending to travel with your camera, you need to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-12 has outside dimensions 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 Samsung NX11 has proportions of 123mm x 87mm x 40mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 1.6") having a weight of 499 grams (1.10 lbs).

Check out the Olympus SZ-12 and Samsung NX11 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. Below is the front view size comparison of the SZ-12 versus the NX11.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ-12 and NX11 is 89 and 80 respectively.

More often than not, it can be hard to see the difference between sensor dimensions just by going over specs. The picture below should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-12 and NX11.

All in all, both the cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The SZ-12 using its tinier sensor will make shooting shallow DOF harder and the Samsung NX11 will offer you more detail using its extra 1MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The younger SZ-12 will have an edge in sensor technology.