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Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony H20

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20 front
Portability
87
Imaging
33
Features
29
Overall
31

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony H20 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
  • Launched January 2012
Sony H20
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 38-380mm (F3.5-4.4) lens
  • 250g - 107 x 69 x 47mm
  • Released May 2009
Photography Glossary

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony H20 Overview

Let's look more in depth at the Olympus SZ-12 versus Sony H20, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Sony. There is a sizeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the SZ-12 (14MP) and H20 (10MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SZ-12 was launched 2 years after the H20 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going into a in depth comparison, here is a simple summation of how the SZ-12 matches up against the H20 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Sony H20

 SZ-12 H20 
ReleasedJanuary 2012May 2009More modern by 33 months
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony H20 over the Olympus SZ-12

 H20 SZ-12 
Manually focus Very exact focusing

Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Sony H20

 SZ-12 H20 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony H20 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry around your camera regularly, you should factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-12 features outer measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") having a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Sony H20 has measurements of 107mm x 69mm x 47mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.9") and a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus SZ-12 versus Sony H20 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising at that time. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the SZ-12 versus the H20.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony H20 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-12 and H20 is 89 and 87 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony H20 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony H20 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to imagine the gap in sensor sizes merely by going through specs. The image here might offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-12 and H20.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You should count on the Olympus SZ-12 to provide greater detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots more aggressively. The newer SZ-12 provides an advantage in sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony H20 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony H20 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony H20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-12
Portrait photography with Sony H20
33
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
has face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
27
manual focus
cannot use external flash
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Street photography details
Sony H20 Street photography details
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (226g)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
heavier than competition in class (250g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Sports photography highlights
Sony H20 Sports photography highlights
40
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
has tracking focus
max fps low (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (220 CIPA)
does not have phase detect auto focus
26
has image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (2.0 frames per second)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Travel photography information
Sony H20 Travel photography information
65
lighter than competition (226 grams)
megapixel count good (14MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
terrible battery power (220 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
51
has built in flash
very long reach (380mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition in class (250g)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Landscape photography advice
Sony H20 Landscape photography advice
40
relatively wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
terrible battery power (220 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse function
36
manual focus
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Vlogging highlights
Sony H20 Vlogging highlights
31
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect focus
lighter than competition (226g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic socket
23
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not have selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic jack
heavier than competition in class (250g)
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony H20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Sony H20
 Olympus SZ-12Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus SZ-12 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2012-01-10 2009-05-14
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4288 x 3216 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 38-380mm (10.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.5-4.4
Macro focusing range - 2cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1700 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 7.10 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic input
Headphone input
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226g (0.50 pounds) 250g (0.55 pounds)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 107 x 69 x 47mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 220 photographs -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID LI-50B NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $350 $249