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Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony H70

Portability
89
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H70 front
Portability
93
Imaging
39
Features
31
Overall
35

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony H70 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
  • Launched January 2012
Sony H70
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 194g - 102 x 58 x 29mm
  • Launched January 2011
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony H70 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Olympus SZ-12 and Sony H70, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the SZ-12 (14MP) and the H70 (16MP) is relatively similar and they enjoy the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ-12 was launched 13 months later than the H70 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting in to a more detailed comparison, below is a simple summation of how the SZ-12 scores versus the H70 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Sony H70

 SZ-12 H70 
LaunchedJanuary 2012January 2011Fresher by 13 months
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony H70 over the Olympus SZ-12

 H70 SZ-12 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Sony H70

 SZ-12 H70 
Manual focus No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen dimensions
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony H70 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry your camera regularly, you'll have to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-12 features exterior 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) while the Sony H70 has specifications of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 194 grams (0.43 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus SZ-12 and Sony H70 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the SZ-12 vs the H70.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony H70 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-12 and H70 is 89 and 93 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony H70 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony H70 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is hard to visualise the gap between sensor sizing only by reading specifications. The graphic below may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-12 and H70.

To sum up, each of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Sony H70 to offer greater detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs much more aggressively. The newer SZ-12 will have a benefit in sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony H70 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony H70 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony H70 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Portrait photography factors
Sony H70 Portrait photography factors
34
MP count good (14MP)
provides face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
30
decent MP (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Street photography camera
Sony H70 as a Street photography camera
60
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (226g)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Sports photography advice
Sony H70 Sports photography advice
41
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery pack (220 shots)
no phase detect auto focus
36
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Travel photography highlights
Sony H70 Travel photography highlights
65
lighter than competition in class (226g)
MP count good (14MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
low battery pack (220 shots)
does not have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
67
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long zoom (250mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-12
Landscape photography with Sony H70
40
quite wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
no manual control
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
low battery pack (220 shots)
missing Time Lapse recording
43
reasonably wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Vlogging camera
Sony H70 as a Vlogging camera
31
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detect focus
lighter than competition in class (226g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
does not have selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic jack
29
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic socket
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony H70 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Sony H70
 Olympus SZ-12Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H70
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model Olympus SZ-12 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H70
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2012-01-10 2011-01-06
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - BIONZ
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 area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 3216 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus range - 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT Color LCD Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1700 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 3.60 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Mic port
Headphone port
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226 gr (0.50 lbs) 194 gr (0.43 lbs)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 102 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 220 images -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model LI-50B NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Launch price $350 $199