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Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony H90

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H90 front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony H90 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
  • Announced January 2012
Sony H90
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 222g - 105 x 60 x 34mm
  • Released February 2012
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony H90 Overview

In this write-up, we are analyzing the Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony H90, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the SZ-12 (14MP) and the H90 (16MP) is very well matched and they use the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ-12 was introduced at a similar time to the H90 which means that they are of a similar age. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a full comparison, below is a concise summary of how the SZ-12 matches up against the H90 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Sony H90

 SZ-12 H90 

Reasons to pick Sony H90 over the Olympus SZ-12

 H90 SZ-12 
Display resolution461k460kClearer display (+1k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Sony H90

 SZ-12 H90 
ReleasedJanuary 2012February 2012Similar age
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony H90 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to travel with your camera frequently, you will need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-12 comes with outside measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") having a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Sony H90 has measurements of 105mm x 60mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 222 grams (0.49 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony H90 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you select at that time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the SZ-12 compared to the H90.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony H90 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-12 and H90 is 89 and 91 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony H90 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony H90 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is tough to imagine the difference between sensor dimensions just by checking specifications. The pic here might give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-12 and H90.

To sum up, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You can expect to see the Sony H90 to resolve extra detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics far more aggressively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony H90 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony H90 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony H90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony H90 as a Portrait photography camera
33
good MP (14 megapixels)
supports face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
36
good MP (16 megapixels)
comes with face detect focus
lack of manual focus
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Street photography camera
Sony H90 as a Street photography camera
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors in class (226 grams)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (222 grams)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Sports photography details
Sony H90 Sports photography details
40
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (14 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery life (220 shots)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
44
long zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
low fps (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Travel photography information
Sony H90 Travel photography information
65
lighter than competitors in class (226 grams)
good MP (14MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
low battery life (220 shots)
does not feature selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.0)
69
lighter than others (222 grams)
good MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
very long zoom (384mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-12
Landscape photography with Sony H90
40
fairly wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (14MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
low battery life (220 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse function
44
relatively wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Vlogging camera
Sony H90 as a Vlogging camera
31
fairly wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect autofocus
lighter than competitors in class (226 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
does not feature selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic jack
32
relatively wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focus
lighter than others (222g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic socket
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony H90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Sony H90
 Olympus SZ-12Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H90
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model Olympus SZ-12 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H90
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2012-01-10 2012-02-28
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - 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
Full resolution 4288 x 3216 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus range - 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 461 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT Color LCD ClearPhoto TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1700 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 3.70 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226g (0.50 lb) 222g (0.49 lb)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 105 x 60 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 pictures 290 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack 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 shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Retail price $350 $230