Olympus SZ-12 vs Sigma SD1

Lets take a more detailed look at the Olympus SZ-12 and Sigma SD1, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Sigma. The sensor resolution of the SZ-12 (14MP) and the SD1 (15MP) is pretty well matched but the SZ-12 (1/2.3") and SD1 (APS-C) come with totally different sensor sizing.

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The SZ-12 was announced 16 months after the SD1 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SZ-12 being a Compact camera and the Sigma SD1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving in to a in-depth comparison, below is a simple summation of how the SZ-12 grades versus the SD1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Here is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus SZ-12 and Sigma SD1. The whole galleries are viewable at Olympus SZ-12 Gallery and Sigma SD1 Gallery.

For anybody who is looking to travel with your camera often, you will want to factor its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-12 has outside measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") and a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Sigma SD1 has specifications of 146mm x 113mm x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs).

Check out the Olympus SZ-12 and Sigma SD1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the SZ-12 vs the SD1.

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-12 and SD1 is 89 and 77 respectively.

Often, it is very tough to envision the gap between sensor dimensions simply by reading through a spec sheet. The image underneath may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-12 and SD1.

Clearly, both of those cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The SZ-12 using its tinier sensor will make getting shallower DOF trickier and the Sigma SD1 will give greater detail with its extra 1 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The more recent SZ-12 is going to have an edge in sensor tech.