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Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony A7R IV

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Sony Alpha A7R IV front
Portability
62
Imaging
81
Features
93
Overall
85

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony A7R IV Key Specs

Olympus SZ-12
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
  • Revealed January 2012
Sony A7R IV
(Full Review)
  • 61MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Expand to 102800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 665g - 129 x 96 x 78mm
  • Released July 2019
  • Superseded the Sony A7R III
  • Updated by Sony A7R V
Photography Glossary

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony A7R IV Overview

Here, we are matching up the Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony A7R IV, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Pro Mirrorless by rivals Olympus and Sony. There is a significant difference between the image resolutions of the SZ-12 (14MP) and A7R IV (61MP) and the SZ-12 (1/2.3") and A7R IV (Full frame) posses totally different sensor size.

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The SZ-12 was launched 8 years earlier than the A7R IV and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus SZ-12 being a Compact camera and the Sony A7R IV being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before going right into a full comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the SZ-12 matches up versus the A7R IV with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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

 SZ-12 A7R IV 

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

 A7R IV SZ-12 
ReleasedJuly 2019January 2012More recent by 91 months
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1440k460kSharper display (+980k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

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

 SZ-12 A7R IV 
Display size3"3"Same display size
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony A7R IV Physical Comparison

If you are planning to lug around your camera, you're going to have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-12 has outer measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") along with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Sony A7R IV has proportions of 129mm x 96mm x 78mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.1") along with a weight of 665 grams (1.47 lbs).

Look at the Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony A7R IV in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the SZ-12 versus the A7R IV.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony A7R IV size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-12 and A7R IV is 89 and 62 respectively.

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

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony A7R IV Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its difficult to see the gap between sensor measurements simply by reading through a spec sheet. The photograph here may offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-12 and A7R IV.

As you can see, the 2 cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The SZ-12 featuring a tinier sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field harder and the Sony A7R IV will give more detail utilizing its extra 47MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The older SZ-12 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony A7R IV sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony A7R IV Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Portrait photography factors
Sony A7R IV Portrait photography factors
33
good MP (14MP)
features face detect focus
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
88
focusing manually
megapixel count amazing (61 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detect focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Street photography information
Sony A7R IV Street photography information
60
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (226 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
79
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
offers focus via touch
environment proof
above average ISO range (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Sports photography advice
Sony A7R IV Sports photography advice
40
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (14 megapixels)
features tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
low battery power (220 per charge)
does not have phase detect auto focus
90
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count amazing (61MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
environment proof
great battery (670 shots)
sensor has phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Travel photography advice
Sony A7R IV Travel photography advice
65
lighter than average in class (226 grams)
good MP (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
missing Timelapse mode
low battery power (220 shots)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
74
great battery (670 shots)
environment proof
has bluetooth
offers focus via touch
megapixel count amazing (61MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-12
Landscape photography with Sony A7R IV
40
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (14MP)
lack of manual focus
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
manual mode not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
low battery power (220 per charge)
missing Timelapse mode
88
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count amazing (61 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
above average ISO range (32,000)
saves RAW files
environment proof
great battery (670 shots)
two card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SZ-12
Vlogging with Sony A7R IV
31
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detect focus
lighter than average in class (226 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone jack
37
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
includes microphone socket
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony A7R IV Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Sony A7R IV
 Olympus SZ-12Sony Alpha A7R IV
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model Olympus SZ-12 Sony Alpha A7R IV
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2012-01-10 2019-07-16
Physical type Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 61 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4288 x 3216 9504 x 6336
Max native ISO 1600 32000
Max boosted ISO - 102800
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Min boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 567
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.0-6.9 -
Total lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 1,440 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 5,760 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1700 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync.
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, XAVC S, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226 grams (0.50 lbs) 665 grams (1.47 lbs)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 129 x 96 x 78mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 99
DXO Color Depth score not tested 26.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.8
DXO Low light score not tested 3344
Other
Battery life 220 images 670 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compatible)
Card slots One Dual
Launch price $350 $3,498