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Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony A7R III

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Sony Alpha A7R III front
Portability
63
Imaging
78
Features
93
Overall
84

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony A7R III 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
Sony A7R III
(Full Review)
  • 42MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Raise to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 657g - 127 x 96 x 74mm
  • Announced October 2017
  • Superseded the Sony A7R II
  • Updated by Sony A7R IV
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony A7R III Overview

Following is a comprehensive overview of the Olympus SZ-12 versus Sony A7R III, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap between the image resolutions of the SZ-12 (14MP) and A7R III (42MP) and the SZ-12 (1/2.3") and A7R III (Full frame) use different sensor measurements.

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The SZ-12 was launched 6 years prior to the A7R III which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SZ-12 being a Compact camera and the Sony A7R III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go in to a in depth comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the SZ-12 grades against the A7R III with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Sony A7R III

 SZ-12 A7R III 

Reasons to pick Sony A7R III over the Olympus SZ-12

 A7R III SZ-12 
AnnouncedOctober 2017January 2012More modern by 70 months
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1440k460kSharper screen (+980k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Sony A7R III

 SZ-12 A7R III 
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony A7R III Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera often, you'll have to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-12 offers external measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Sony A7R III has measurements of 127mm x 96mm x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9") and a weight of 657 grams (1.45 lbs).

Compare the Olympus SZ-12 versus Sony A7R III 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 vary depending on the lens you use at that time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the SZ-12 compared to the A7R III.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony A7R III size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-12 and A7R III is 89 and 63 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony A7R III top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony A7R III Sensor Comparison

Typically, its tough to imagine the contrast between sensor sizes purely by reviewing a spec sheet. The pic below may give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-12 and A7R III.

As you can see, the 2 cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The SZ-12 due to its tinier sensor is going to make achieving bokeh tougher and the Sony A7R III will deliver more detail utilizing its extra 28MP. Higher resolution will let you crop shots far more aggressively. The more aged SZ-12 is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony A7R III sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony A7R III Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony A7R III Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A7R III as a Portrait photography camera
33
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
features face detect autofocus
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
86
you can focus manually
fantastic MP (42 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SZ-12
Street photography with Sony A7R III
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
79
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
has focus via touch
weather proof
good ISO range (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Sports photography features
Sony A7R III Sports photography features
40
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
features tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (220 shots)
lack of phase detect autofocus
89
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
fantastic MP (42 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
weather proof
good battery life (650 CIPA)
has phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SZ-12
Travel photography with Sony A7R III
65
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
no Time Lapse function
not so great battery life (220 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
74
good battery life (650 per charge)
weather proof
supports bluetooth
has focus via touch
fantastic MP (42 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A7R III as a Landscape photography camera
40
rather wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
not so great battery life (220 shots)
no Time Lapse function
87
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
fantastic MP (42 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
does not have anti aliasing filter
good ISO range (32,000)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
good battery life (650 CIPA)
has dual storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Vlogging features
Sony A7R III Vlogging features
31
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detect autofocus
lighter than competition in class (226g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic jack
37
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection focus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
has external microphone jack
display is not selfie friendly
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony A7R III Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Sony A7R III
 Olympus SZ-12Sony Alpha A7R III
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus SZ-12 Sony Alpha A7R III
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Pro Mirrorless
Introduced 2012-01-10 2017-10-25
Body design Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 42MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4288 x 3216 7952 x 5304
Max native ISO 1600 32000
Max enhanced ISO - 102400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Min enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 425
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.0-6.9 -
Amount of lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.8 1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 460k dot 1,440k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,686k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1700 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Off, Auto, Fill-flash, Slow Sync, Rear Sync, Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 3840 x 2160 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.1 Gen 1(5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226 gr (0.50 lbs) 657 gr (1.45 lbs)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 127 x 96 x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 100
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 26.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.7
DXO Low light rating not tested 3523
Other
Battery life 220 pictures 650 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC Two SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II support on one)
Storage slots One Dual
Price at release $350 $2,800