Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony HX20V
Portability
89 Imaging
37 Features
36 Overall
36
89 Imaging
37 Features
36 Overall
36
Portability
90 Imaging
42 Features
50 Overall
45
90 Imaging
42 Features
50 Overall
45
Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony HX20V Key Specs
Olympus SZ-12
(Full Review)
(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 HX20V
(Full Review)
(Full Review)
- 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 12800
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
- 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
- Launched July 2012
- Previous Model is Sony HX10V
- Newer Model is Sony HX30V
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On this page, we are matching up the Olympus SZ-12 and Sony HX20V, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by rivals Olympus and Sony. There is a noticeable difference between the image resolutions of the SZ-12 (14MP) and HX20V (18MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor size (1/2.3").
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD CardsThe SZ-12 was launched 6 months before the HX20V so they are of a similar age. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before delving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a short overview of how the SZ-12 scores versus the HX20V in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
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Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus SZ-12 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V. The complete galleries are available at Olympus SZ-12 Gallery & Sony HX20V Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Sony HX20V
| SZ-12 | HX20V |
|---|
Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Olympus SZ-12
| HX20V | SZ-12 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus |  | Very accurate focusing | ||
| Display resolution | 922k |  | 460k | Sharper display (+462k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Sony HX20V
| SZ-12 | HX20V | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | January 2012 |  | July 2012 | Similar age |
| Display type | Fixed |  | Fixed | Fixed display |
| Display dimensions | 3" |  | 3" | Equal display size |
| Selfie screen |  | Lacking selfie screen | ||
| Touch friendly display |  | Neither provides Touch friendly display |
Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony HX20V Physical Comparison
In case you're looking to travel with your camera regularly, you'll have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-12 provides external measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Sony HX20V has dimensions of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") with a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).
Check out the Olympus SZ-12 and Sony HX20V in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are working with at the time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the SZ-12 and the HX20V.
Considering size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-12 and HX20V is 89 and 90 respectively.
Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony HX20V Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is very tough to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions only by looking at a spec sheet. The image below will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-12 and HX20V.
Clearly, both the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different megapixels. You can anticipate the Sony HX20V to resolve more detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop images a bit more aggressively.
Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony HX20V Screen and ViewFinder
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Portrait Comparison
Olympus SZ-12 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony HX20V as a Portrait photography camera
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
offers face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
has manual focus
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
comes with face detect autofocus
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Olympus SZ-12 Street photography advice
Sony HX20V Street photography advice
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (226g)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (254g)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Olympus SZ-12 as a Sports photography camera
Sony HX20V as a Sports photography camera
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (220 CIPA)
no phase detect autofocus
great zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Olympus SZ-12 Travel photography info
Sony HX20V Travel photography info
lighter than others in class (226g)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
not so great battery life (220 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
lighter than average (254g)
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
quite wide (25mm)
long reach (500mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
does not contain selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
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Olympus SZ-12 Landscape photography factors
Sony HX20V Landscape photography factors
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
no manual control
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
not so great battery life (220 per charge)
lack of Timelapse mode
has manual focus
quite wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse mode
Photography GlossaryVlogging Comparison
Olympus SZ-12 Vlogging details
Sony HX20V Vlogging details
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect autofocus
lighter than others in class (226g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone port
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average (254 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
does not contain selfie friendly display
does not have mic port
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony HX20V Specifications
| Olympus SZ-12 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Make | Olympus | Sony |
| Model type | Olympus SZ-12 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V |
| Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
| Announced | 2012-01-10 | 2012-07-20 |
| Body design | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor | - | BIONZ |
| Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
| 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 | 14 megapixels | 18 megapixels |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | - | 4:3 and 16:9 |
| Highest Possible resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 4896 x 3672 |
| Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 12800 |
| Lowest native ISO | 80 | 100 |
| RAW images | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Continuous autofocus | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Autofocus center weighted | ||
| Autofocus multi area | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detect autofocus | ||
| Contract detect autofocus | ||
| Phase detect autofocus | ||
| Total focus points | - | 9 |
| Cross type focus points | - | - |
| Lens | ||
| Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens zoom range | 25-600mm (24.0x) | 25-500mm (20.0x) |
| Highest aperture | f/3.0-6.9 | f/3.2-5.8 |
| Macro focusing range | - | 1cm |
| Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Display sizing | 3" | 3" |
| Resolution of display | 460 thousand dot | 922 thousand dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch capability | ||
| Display technology | TFT Color LCD | XtraFine TruBlack TFT 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 speed | 1.0 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
| Set white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash distance | - | 7.10 m |
| Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync |
| Hot shoe | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| 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) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
| Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
| Mic 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 | BuiltIn |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental seal | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 226 gr (0.50 pounds) | 254 gr (0.56 pounds) |
| Physical dimensions | 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") | 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") |
| 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 images | 320 images |
| Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | 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/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo |
| Storage slots | One | One |
| Cost at release | $350 | $397 |