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Olympus SZ-12 vs Samsung NX20

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Samsung NX20 front
Portability
83
Imaging
61
Features
73
Overall
65

Olympus SZ-12 vs Samsung NX20 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
  • Introduced January 2012
Samsung NX20
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Samsung NX Mount
  • 341g - 122 x 90 x 40mm
  • Launched April 2012
  • Earlier Model is Samsung NX11
  • Updated by Samsung NX30
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Samsung NX20 Overview

Let's examine more in depth at the Olympus SZ-12 vs Samsung NX20, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless by rivals Olympus and Samsung. There is a huge difference among the sensor resolutions of the SZ-12 (14MP) and NX20 (20MP) and the SZ-12 (1/2.3") and NX20 (APS-C) feature different sensor sizing.

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The SZ-12 was unveiled 3 months prior to the NX20 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SZ-12 being a Compact camera and the Samsung NX20 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go in to a complete comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the SZ-12 grades versus the NX20 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Samsung NX20

 SZ-12 NX20 

Reasons to pick Samsung NX20 over the Olympus SZ-12

 NX20 SZ-12 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution614k460kCrisper screen (+154k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Samsung NX20

 SZ-12 NX20 
LaunchedJanuary 2012April 2012Same generation
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Olympus SZ-12 vs Samsung NX20 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to lug around your camera, you should factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus SZ-12 provides exterior dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Samsung NX20 has sizing of 122mm x 90mm x 40mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.6") having a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs).

Compare the Olympus SZ-12 vs Samsung NX20 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have attached at that time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the SZ-12 versus the NX20.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Samsung NX20 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-12 and NX20 is 89 and 83 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Samsung NX20 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Samsung NX20 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor measurements just by viewing specs. The photograph underneath should provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-12 and NX20.

All in all, both the cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The SZ-12 having a smaller sensor is going to make shooting bokeh trickier and the Samsung NX20 will render greater detail having an extra 6MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots a little more aggressively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Samsung NX20 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Samsung NX20 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-12 vs Samsung NX20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Portrait photography highlights
Samsung NX20 Portrait photography highlights
33
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
provides face detection focusing
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
76
manual focus
megapixel count good (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Street photography features
Samsung NX20 Street photography features
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors in class (226g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
77
fully articulated screen
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competitors (341 grams)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Sports photography highlights
Samsung NX20 Sports photography highlights
40
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (220 CIPA)
has no phase detect AF
60
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
lack of image stabilization
lack of phase detect AF
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Travel photography features
Samsung NX20 Travel photography features
65
lighter than competitors in class (226 grams)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
terrible battery pack (220 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
77
lighter than competitors (341g)
megapixel count good (20MP)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
no Time Lapse mode
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-12
Landscape photography with Samsung NX20
40
really wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual exposure
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
terrible battery pack (220 shots)
lack of Time Lapse function
70
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Samsung NX mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Vlogging details
Samsung NX20 Vlogging details
31
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection focusing
lighter than competitors in class (226g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic support
78
selfie friendly screen
has face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has mic support
lighter than competitors (341 grams)
lack of image stabilization
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Samsung NX20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Samsung NX20
 Olympus SZ-12Samsung NX20
General Information
Company Olympus Samsung
Model type Olympus SZ-12 Samsung NX20
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced Mirrorless
Introduced 2012-01-10 2012-04-20
Physical type Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4288 x 3216 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 1600 12800
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 15
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Samsung NX
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.0-6.9 -
Available lenses - 32
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460k dots 614k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT Color LCD Active Matrix OLED screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1700 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per second 8.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 11.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, 1st/2nd Curtain, Smart Flash, Manual
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1920 x 810 (24 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226 grams (0.50 pounds) 341 grams (0.75 pounds)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 122 x 90 x 40mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 75
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.9
DXO Low light rating not tested 785
Other
Battery life 220 images 360 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B BP1130
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 sec to 30 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Retail cost $350 $1,100