Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony NEX-5T

Lets take a deeper look at the Olympus SZ-12 and Sony NEX-5T, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the SZ-12 (14MP) and the NEX-5T (16MP) is pretty comparable but the SZ-12 (1/2.3") and NEX-5T (APS-C) use totally different sensor measurements.

Photography Glossary

The SZ-12 was launched 19 months earlier than the NEX-5T which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SZ-12 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-5T being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting through a full comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the SZ-12 matches up vs the NEX-5T with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Here is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus SZ-12 and Sony Alpha NEX-5T. The complete galleries are available at Olympus SZ-12 Gallery and Sony NEX-5T Gallery.

When you are aiming to lug around your camera often, you will have to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-12 has got outside 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 NEX-5T has measurements of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") with a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).

Compare the Olympus SZ-12 and Sony NEX-5T in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have attached during that time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the SZ-12 vs the NEX-5T.

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-12 and NEX-5T is 89 and 89 respectively.

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to see the contrast in sensor measurements purely by checking out specs. The graphic underneath will offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-12 and NEX-5T.

All in all, both of these cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The SZ-12 featuring a smaller sensor will make getting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Sony NEX-5T will provide greater detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs much more aggressively. The older SZ-12 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.