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Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony A350

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A350 front
Portability
62
Imaging
53
Features
47
Overall
50

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony A350 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
  • Released January 2012
Sony A350
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 674g - 131 x 99 x 75mm
  • Announced June 2008
  • Updated by Sony A380
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony A350 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Olympus SZ-12 versus Sony A350, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the SZ-12 (14MP) and the A350 (14MP) is pretty close but the SZ-12 (1/2.3") and A350 (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor sizes.

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The SZ-12 was introduced 3 years later than the A350 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SZ-12 being a Compact camera and the Sony A350 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a quick overview of how the SZ-12 scores vs the A350 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Sony A350

 SZ-12 A350 
AnnouncedJanuary 2012June 2008More recent by 44 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A350 over the Olympus SZ-12

 A350 SZ-12 
Focus manually More exact focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Sony A350

 SZ-12 A350 
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony A350 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to lug around your camera often, you are going to need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-12 has outer dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") along with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Sony A350 has dimensions of 131mm x 99mm x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") with a weight of 674 grams (1.49 lbs).

Compare the Olympus SZ-12 versus Sony A350 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are employing during that time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the SZ-12 and the A350.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony A350 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-12 and A350 is 89 and 62 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony A350 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony A350 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be difficult to envision the contrast in sensor measurements simply by looking through specifications. The visual underneath might give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-12 and A350.

Plainly, both cameras offer the same exact MP albeit not the same sensor measurements. The SZ-12 features the smaller sensor which will make getting shallow DOF tougher. The more modern SZ-12 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony A350 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony A350 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony A350 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-12
Portrait photography with Sony A350
33
megapixel count good (14MP)
supports face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
71
focusing manually
good megapixels (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Street photography advice
Sony A350 Street photography advice
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average (226 grams)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
66
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
heavier than average (674g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SZ-12
Sports photography with Sony A350
40
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (14MP)
supports tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery life (220 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A350 as a Travel photography camera
65
lighter than average (226 grams)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
missing Timelapse mode
low battery life (220 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
51
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
heavier than average (674 grams)
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-12
Landscape photography with Sony A350
40
quite wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
no manual mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
low battery life (220 shots)
missing Timelapse mode
64
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen is small (2.7 inches)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Vlogging information
Sony A350 Vlogging information
31
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect autofocus
lighter than average (226g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone support
9
lack of video recording
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony A350 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Sony A350
 Olympus SZ-12Sony Alpha DSLR-A350
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model Olympus SZ-12 Sony Alpha DSLR-A350
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2012-01-10 2008-06-06
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 3216 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.0-6.9 -
Total lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.49x
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/1700s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance 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) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 None
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226 grams (0.50 lbs) 674 grams (1.49 lbs)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 131 x 99 x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 65
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.5
DXO Low light score not tested 595
Other
Battery life 220 shots -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, UDMA Mode 5, Supports FAT12 / FAT16 / FAT32
Storage slots One One
Retail price $350 $600