Olympus SZ-12 vs Samsung NX20
89 Imaging
37 Features
36 Overall
36


83 Imaging
61 Features
73 Overall
65
Olympus SZ-12 vs Samsung NX20 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
- Introduced January 2012
(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

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.

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.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Samsung NX20 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus SZ-12 and Samsung NX20. The full galleries are available at Olympus SZ-12 Gallery and Samsung NX20 Gallery.
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 type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Screen resolution | 614k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper screen (+154k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Samsung NX20
SZ-12 | NX20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | January 2012 | ![]() | April 2012 | Same generation |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Samsung NX20 Specifications
Olympus SZ-12 | Samsung 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 |