Olympus SZ-12 vs Samsung NX210: A Detailed Camera Comparison for Every Photographer’s Journey

Choosing the right camera can feel overwhelming given the breadth of options available today. To help you navigate this space, we’ve put the Olympus SZ-12 and Samsung NX210 head-to-head, based on extensive hands-on testing and expert analysis. While these two cameras come from different design philosophies and serve distinct audiences, understanding their strengths and limitations will empower you to make the best decision aligned with your photography style and budget.

First Impressions and Ergonomics: Size and Handling Matter

When you pick up a camera, how it feels in your hands sets the tone for your shooting experience. The Olympus SZ-12 is a compact small sensor superzoom camera designed for effortless portability and straightforward use. In contrast, the Samsung NX210 is an entry-level mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses, offering more manual control and versatility but requiring a slightly bigger footprint.

Olympus SZ-12:

• Dimensions: 106 x 69 x 40 mm
• Weight: 226 g
• Compact, pocketable design ideal for casual shooting and travel

Samsung NX210:

• Dimensions: 117 x 63 x 37 mm
• Weight: 222 g
• Rangefinder-style mirrorless body offering a comfortable grip and more control, yet still light enough for portability

Both cameras are similarly lightweight, but the SZ-12’s compact brick shape favors those prioritizing pocketability. The NX210 takes a more traditional mirrorless form factor that beginners and enthusiasts will find familiar and comfortable for prolonged use.

On the control front, the NX210 offers shutter priority, aperture priority, and full manual modes with dedicated exposure compensation - features aimed at users who want creative control. The SZ-12 opts for simplicity, lacking manual modes, making it a no-fuss option well suited for point-and-shoot users who want solid zoom performance without complexity.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Size and Specs That Matter

Image quality hinges largely on sensor characteristics. Here, the NX210 is the clear technical leader with its APS-C CMOS sensor, while the SZ-12 houses a smaller 1/2.3” CCD sensor typical of compact superzoom cameras.

What does this mean for you?

• Noise and Low Light Performance: The larger APS-C sensor on the NX210 delivers significantly better low-light performance and higher ISO capabilities. Expect cleaner images with less noise at ISO 800 and above.
• Dynamic Range and Color Depth: Based on DxOMark scores (NX210 overall 71 vs. SZ-12 untested), the NX210’s sensor captures more color information and a wider dynamic range, helping preserve detail in shadows and highlights - critical for demanding photography genres like landscapes and portraits.
• Resolution: While the NX210 captures images up to 5472 x 3648 pixels, the SZ-12 tops out at 4288 x 3216 pixels, sufficient for casual prints but less flexible for large cropping or professional printing.

If image quality is your priority, especially for creative control or professional work, the NX210’s sensor will serve you better. The SZ-12 is more about convenience and zoom reach.

Lens and Zoom: Fixed Superzoom vs Interchangeable System

Your choice between a fixed lens superzoom and a lens-mount mirrorless revolves around flexibility versus ease and reach.

Olympus SZ-12

• Fixed lens with a superzoom range of 25–600 mm equivalent (24x optical zoom)
• Aperture range: f/3.0-6.9
• Macro focus: Not specified
• Optical image stabilization: Sensor-shift type helps reduce blur from hand shake

This extensive zoom range makes the SZ-12 an ideal companion for travel, wildlife glimpses, and occasional sports captures without carrying additional lenses. However, the lens speed slows to f/6.9 at the telephoto end, which impacts low-light performance and background blur.

Samsung NX210

• Samsung NX mount with 32 native lenses available (including primes, zooms, macro)
• Crop factor: 1.5x (APS-C sensor)
• No built-in stabilization in the camera body; relies on optically stabilized lenses
• Lens selection includes wide apertures for portraits and primes suitable for low light and shallow depth of field

The NX210’s interchangeable lens system gives you freedom to choose lenses optimized for your needs - whether fast lenses for portrait bokeh, telephoto lenses for wildlife, or macro lenses for close-up details. This flexibility is critical as your photographic skills and ambitions grow.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Responsiveness and Focus Reliability

Accuracy and speed of autofocus systems can make or break dynamic shooting scenarios like sports or wildlife.

The NX210 boasts continuous autofocus and a rapid burst shooting speed up to 8 frames per second, which is a significant advantage for sports, wildlife, or any moving subjects. Its multiple AF points and selective AF modes provide better tracking and composition control.

The SZ-12’s 1 fps continuous shooting and limited manual focus control suit more casual photography. It does include face detection autofocus, which is helpful for portraits and everyday shooting, but lacks advanced tracking capabilities.

Display and User Interface: See What You Shoot

Your screen is your window to framing and reviewing images, so its quality impacts usability.

• Olympus SZ-12: 3.0” TFT color LCD with 460k-dot resolution (fixed type)
• Samsung NX210: 3.0” Active Matrix OLED screen with 614k-dot resolution (fixed type)

The NX210’s OLED screen delivers crisper colors, higher contrast, and better viewing angles than the typical TFT LCD on the SZ-12. For image review and menu navigation, this difference is noticeable, especially outdoors or in bright daylight conditions.

Neither camera offers an electronic or optical viewfinder, which limits eye-level shooting options - a consideration if you prefer traditional framing or bright environments.

Build Quality, Weather Sealing, and Battery Life

Neither camera offers professional-grade environmental sealing, so both require care in wet or dusty conditions.

• Olympus SZ-12: Lightweight compact plastic body, no weather sealing.
• Samsung NX210: Also uses plastic, but with a more ergonomic grip design; no weather sealing.

Battery life favors the NX210, rated for approximately 330 shots per charge, compared to the SZ-12’s 220. For extended outings or travel, this makes the NX210 a more dependable companion between charges.

Both accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, simplifying storage expansion.

Video Features: Capabilities for the Multimedia Creator

Though these cameras were launched over a decade ago, their video specs differ significantly.

Olympus SZ-12:

• Max video resolution: 1280 x 720 (HD) at 30 fps
• Formats: MPEG-4, H.264
• No microphone input or advanced video control

Samsung NX210:

• Full HD 1920 x 1080 video at 30 fps
• Also supports 1920 x 810 (24 fps), 1280 x 720, and lower resolutions
• Formats: MPEG-4, H.264
• No microphone input, but offers enhanced video options including exposure compensation during shooting

For casual video, both cameras can capture decent clips, but the NX210’s Full HD resolution and richer exposure controls make it preferable for vloggers or content creators wanting more cinematic video.

Genre-Specific Performance Rundown: How They Stack Up Across Photography Styles

Let’s break down how each camera fits into various photographic disciplines:

Portraits

• NX210: Superior skin tone rendering thanks to larger sensor, RAW support for post-processing, better control over aperture for bokeh, face detection autofocus.
• SZ-12: Decent face detection but limited control and smaller sensor reduce image quality and background blur.

Landscapes

• NX210: Larger sensor with higher resolution and dynamic range excels in landscape detail and HDR potential.
• SZ-12: Fixed lens and small sensor limit detail and creative flexibility.

Wildlife

• NX210: Interchangeable telephoto lenses, faster burst mode, and better autofocus support wildlife photography.
• SZ-12: Good zoom reach, but slow continuous shooting and limited autofocus reduce chances of capturing sharp animal action.

Sports

• NX210: Fast 8 fps burst and manual control make it better suited for fast-paced sports.
• SZ-12: Slower at 1 fps and no manual exposure control.

Street

• SZ-12: Compact size and quiet operation assist in discrete shooting.
• NX210: Slightly larger but capable with manual controls for creative street work.

Macro

• NX210: Access to dedicated macro lenses enhances close-up potential.
• SZ-12: No dedicated macro mode or lenses.

Night/Astro

• NX210: Superior ISO performance, manual exposure, and RAW shooting allow for astrophotography.
• SZ-12: Limited by ISO 1600 max and no manual exposure.

Video

• NX210: Full HD, manual exposure control, better codec support.
• SZ-12: Lower resolution HD video only.

Travel

• SZ-12: Lightweight, superzoom lens simplifies packing and scene variety.
• NX210: More versatile and higher image quality but requires additional lenses.

Professional Work

• NX210: RAW, manual modes, and lens options position it closer to professional use.
• SZ-12: Casual snapping with limited professional potential.

Real-World Sample Image Comparison

Observe the differences in detail, color rendering, and dynamic range in this side-by-side gallery of sample images shot with each camera in typical scenarios.

Olympus SZ 12 front Olympus SZ 12 screen back Samsung NX210 screen back

The NX210 images reveal richer colors and finer detail, especially in challenging light. The SZ-12 photos are good for snapshots but show noise and softness when scrutinized.

Overall Performance and Value Analysis

You pay nearly double for the NX210 but gain substantial benefits in image quality, shooting flexibility, and creative control.

Final Verdict: Which Camera is Right for You?

Choose Olympus SZ-12 if:

• You want a compact, easy-to-use superzoom camera for travel, family photos, and casual shooting.
• You prioritize long zoom reach with minimal fuss over manual control.
• Your budget is around $350 and you accept limitations on image quality and low-light performance.
• You are a beginner or casual photographer who wants to point, shoot, and share quickly.

Choose Samsung NX210 if:

• You're a photography enthusiast or aspiring professional who needs image quality and creative control.
• You want an interchangeable lens system for different photography styles, including macro, portraits, and landscapes.
• You shoot in challenging light and want better ISO performance, shutter/aperture priority modes, and RAW support.
• You value full HD video, faster shooting speeds, and improved autofocus.
• Your budget accommodates the higher cost ($625 launch price) and possible investment in lenses.

Getting Started and Exploring Further

Whichever you pick, we encourage you to find the cameras at your local camera store or through rentals to get a feel for their operation. Consider your desired photography genres and how the camera’s strengths align with your creative goals.

For the SZ-12, focus on mastering composition and leveraging the superzoom for distant captures. For the NX210, experiment with lenses and take advantage of its manual exposure controls to build photography skills.

Summary: Key Specs at a Glance

Selecting the ideal camera should balance your skill level, creative ambitions, and budget. Our comparative experience with the Olympus SZ-12 and Samsung NX210 highlights distinct niches: easy superzoom simplicity versus flexible mirrorless creativity. Take the next step toward capturing your vision - check out these cameras and find the one that inspires your photography journey.

If you’ve enjoyed this in-depth comparison or have further questions about system lenses, accessories, or shooting techniques, feel free to reach out. Happy shooting!