Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony NEX-7
89 Imaging
37 Features
36 Overall
36
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84 Imaging
63 Features
71 Overall
66
Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony NEX-7 Key Specs
(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
- Revealed January 2012
(Full Review)
- 24MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 16000
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 400g - 120 x 67 x 43mm
- Released December 2011
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony NEX-7 Overview
On this page, we are reviewing the Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony NEX-7, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Advanced Mirrorless by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. There is a significant difference among the image resolutions of the SZ-12 (14MP) and NEX-7 (24MP) and the SZ-12 (1/2.3") and NEX-7 (APS-C) posses totally different sensor sizes.
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The SZ-12 was introduced at a similar time to the NEX-7 and they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus SZ-12 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-7 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before diving into a detailed comparison, here is a brief view of how the SZ-12 matches up versus the NEX-7 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony NEX-7 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus SZ-12 and Sony Alpha NEX-7. The whole galleries are provided at Olympus SZ-12 Gallery and Sony NEX-7 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Sony NEX-7
SZ-12 | NEX-7 |
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Reasons to pick Sony NEX-7 over the Olympus SZ-12
NEX-7 | SZ-12 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More precise focus | ||
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper display (+461k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Sony NEX-7
SZ-12 | NEX-7 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2012 | ![]() | December 2011 | Same generation |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Lacking Touch friendly display |
Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony NEX-7 Physical Comparison
For those who are intending to lug around your camera often, you will need to take into account its weight and dimensions. 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 NEX-7 has dimensions of 120mm x 67mm x 43mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 1.7") and a weight of 400 grams (0.88 lbs).
Examine the Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony NEX-7 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the SZ-12 compared to the NEX-7.
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Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-12 and NEX-7 is 89 and 84 respectively.
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony NEX-7 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it's hard to envision the gap in sensor measurements merely by checking out a spec sheet. The graphic here may offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-12 and NEX-7.
Clearly, both the cameras have different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The SZ-12 having a smaller sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field trickier and the Sony NEX-7 will produce more detail using its extra 10MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics a bit more aggressively.
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony NEX-7 Screen and ViewFinder
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Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
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Street Comparison
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Sports Comparison
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Travel Comparison
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Landscape Comparison
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Vlogging Comparison
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony NEX-7 Specifications
Olympus SZ-12 | Sony Alpha NEX-7 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Olympus | Sony |
Model | Olympus SZ-12 | Sony Alpha NEX-7 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Advanced Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2012-01-10 | 2011-12-13 |
Body design | Compact | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixels | 24 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 6000 x 4000 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 16000 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | - | 25 |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | Sony E |
Lens focal range | 25-600mm (24.0x) | - |
Maximal aperture | f/3.0-6.9 | - |
Available lenses | - | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display diagonal | 3" | 3" |
Display resolution | 460k dot | 921k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Display tech | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Electronic |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.73x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 4 secs | 30 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/1700 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 1.0fps | 10.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | - | 6.00 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | - | 1/160 secs |
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) | 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
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 lb) | 400 grams (0.88 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") | 120 x 67 x 43mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 1.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | not tested | 81 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 24.1 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 13.4 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 1016 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 220 photos | 430 photos |
Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | LI-50B | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 or 5 images)) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail cost | $350 | $699 |