Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony HX300: A Hands-On Comparison of Two Small Sensor Superzoom Cameras

In the realm of small sensor superzoom cameras, choices abound, but few models deliver the combination of zoom reach, ease of use, and value that enthusiasts seek. Today, I’ve spent extensive hands-on time comparing two notable contenders: the Olympus SZ-12 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 - both launched roughly a year apart with very different design philosophies and target users. Drawing from many hours of side-by-side testing across multiple photography genres and technical evaluations, I’m dissecting the real-world strengths and weaknesses of these models to help you decide which fits your needs best.

Size, Handling, and Ergonomics: Compact Simplicity vs Bridge-Style Control

Right off the bat, the Olympus SZ-12 sets itself apart as a compact, pocketable solution. It’s small, lightweight (just 226g), and incredibly straightforward, lacking a viewfinder but sporting a fixed 3-inch TFT LCD with modest 460k-dot resolution. Olympus aims for simplicity here - no manual focus rings or exposure modes to tinker with, just a basic superzoom experience with sensor-shift image stabilization.

In contrast, the Sony HX300 is in the “bridge camera” category, sporting a bulky SLR-like body weighing a hefty 623g. Its pronounced grip, top dial, and numerous buttons cater to photographers who want more immediate manual control and customization. The HX300 also features a tilting 3-inch LCD at 921k-dot resolution and an electronic viewfinder - critical for action shooting in bright light.

From a usability standpoint, the HX300 feels far more robust and versatile, partially because the heft provides stability during the long 50x zoom reach. The SZ-12, while portable, can feel toy-like in the hand and is less conducive to longer shooting sessions. Both bodies lack weather sealing, which is a point to consider if you shoot outdoors in demanding conditions.

Sensor and Image Quality: More Than Just Megapixels

Both cameras employ 1/2.3” sensors, typical for superzooms, but the Sony edges out the Olympus slightly on sensor size and resolution (28.46 mm² vs 28.07 mm² area; 20MP vs 14MP). This translates into more detail and flexibility especially when cropping or printing large.

The Olympus uses a CCD sensor, an older technology that tends to yield pleasant colors but can struggle in low light and higher ISO settings. The Sony opts for a back-illuminated CMOS sensor, which increases light gathering efficiency. In practical terms, I saw cleaner detail retention at ISO 800 and above on the HX300, while the SZ-12 images became noticeably noisy beyond ISO 400.

Dynamic range - the ability to preserve detail in shadows and highlights - was better on the Sony, making it a more dependable tool for high-contrast scenes like landscapes or urban environments with bright skies. The Olympus’s 14MP output is respectable for casual snapshots but doesn’t hold up as well if you’re after fine detail or cropping flexibility.

Autofocus Performance: Speed, Precision, and Tracking

Autofocus is always a crucial factor, especially for wildlife, sports, and street photographers. Here, the two cameras diverge significantly.

The Olympus SZ-12 features contrast-detection AF with face detection and some tracking, but no continuous autofocus or full manual focus control. It uses very basic AF area options and is somewhat sluggish - particularly at longer focal lengths or low light. In my testing, hunting for focus was common, and the single-frame AF rate hovers around one shot per second - not ideal for action.

The Sony HX300 leverages nine contrast-detection AF points, center-weighted and multi-area AF modes, and allows manual focus override. It supports shutter priority, aperture priority, and full manual exposure modes, lending fine control over focus and exposure settings. With a continuous shooting rate of 10fps, supported by faster AF acquisition, it’s well-suited for capturing moving subjects.

Overall, autofocus tracking and accuracy felt far superior on the HX300 - a critical advantage for shooting wildlife or sports. The SZ-12’s system is better suited to static subjects and casual photography.

Zoom Range and Lens Quality: Versatility Comes with Compromises

One of the SX-12’s headline specs is its 24x optical zoom (25-600mm equivalent), while the HX300 doubles that with a massive 50x zoom range (24-1200mm equivalent). If your priority is reach, the Sony offers undeniable versatility - especially beneficial for wildlife or distant landscapes.

Olympus achieves a respectable F3.0-6.9 aperture range, whereas Sony’s lens is slightly brighter at the wide end (F2.8-6.3), which can help in dim conditions.

Of course, longer zoom ranges tend to introduce compromises in image sharpness, distortion, and chromatic aberration. The HX300’s lens performs better in controlled lab conditions, retaining comparatively good sharpness even at the longest focal lengths. The SZ-12’s optical performance is more variable, exhibiting softness and vignetting when zoomed nearly all the way in.

Both cameras lack interchangeable lenses, so optimizations come down to other factors like image stabilization. That leads us to our next topic.

Image Stabilization: Sensor-Shift vs Optical – What’s Actually Happening?

Both models feature image stabilization, crucial for reducing blur due to camera shake - especially important with long telephoto zooms.

The Olympus employs sensor-shift stabilization, which compensates for movement by physically shifting the sensor. It’s a traditional but effective method for a compact camera. The Sony HX300 uses optical image stabilization integrated into the lens assembly, generally recognized as more effective for superzoom lenses, particularly at long focal lengths.

In my tests, the Sony’s stabilization allowed for consistently sharper images at slower shutter speeds and extreme zoom, while the SZ-12’s system was helpful but less forgiving.

Display and Viewfinder: How You Frame Your Shots Matters

The SZ-12 relies solely on its fixed LCD, which is bright and usable but not particularly high resolution at 460k dots.

The HX300’s tilting display offers more compositional flexibility (tilting down for low angles, up for selfies or awkward angles) and a sharper 921k-dot resolution. This screen is a pleasure to use in the field.

Additionally, the HX300 includes an electronic viewfinder (though with no published resolution specs), a feature sorely missed on the Olympus. Using a viewfinder in bright sunlight is invaluable for accurate framing and minimizing glare.

Video Features: HD Recording with Practical Differences

For casual videographers, the Olympus SZ-12 provides basic 720p 30fps recording - adequate for simple clips but lacking advanced video features or manual control.

The Sony HX300 steps up with full HD 1080p recording at 60fps, delivering smoother video with better detail. While neither camera offers microphone input or advanced codecs, the HX300’s higher resolution and frame rate give it an edge for family events or travel clips.

Neither supports 4K or enhanced video-centric features, reflecting their superzoom stills-focused design.

Battery Life and Storage: Practical Shooting Considerations

Battery life is a vital consideration for travel or extended outings. The Olympus uses a proprietary LI-50B battery with a rated 220 shots per charge, which is quite modest.

The Sony does not list official battery life, but from hands-on experience, it lasts noticeably longer than the SZ-12, particularly with the EVF enabled and continuous shooting. Given its size and weight, carrying spare batteries is recommended for both cameras when planning heavy use.

Both use a single SD/SDHC/SDXC slot - industry-standard and widely compatible.

Real-World Use Cases: Who Should Choose Which?

Portrait Photography

• Olympus SZ-12: With 14MP resolution and face detection AF, it can produce decent portraits, though depth of field control is limited by the small sensor and variable aperture. Bokeh is restricted at the telephoto end (F6.9 max aperture). Skin tones are pleasant but not as nuanced as better sensors.

• Sony HX300: The higher resolution and brighter lens make for slightly better portraits. Manual focus and exposure let you fine-tune results, though background blur is still modest given sensor size. Face detection is absent, so compositions require more care.

Landscape Photography

• Sony HX300 stands out for sharpness, dynamic range, and zoom versatility, making it the superior landscape camera. The tilting screen aids creative shooting angles.

• Olympus SZ-12 is usable but dynamic range limitations and lower resolution slightly hold it back for serious landscape work.

Wildlife Photography

• The HX300 dominates with 50x zoom and faster AF. Its ability to track moving subjects and shoot bursts at 10fps is invaluable.

• The SZ-12 is limited by slow focusing and a shorter zoom.

Sports Photography

• Neither are ideal for professional sports, but HX300’s rapid burst and manual controls make it much more useful.

Street Photography

• The SZ-12’s compact size makes it less conspicuous, an advantage for candid moments.

• The HX300 is bulky and more conspicuous but delivers faster response times and better image quality.

Macro Photography

• Both cameras lack dedicated macro focus range and focus stacking. Minimal difference here.

Night/Astrophotography

• HX300’s better ISO performance and longer exposures are advantageous.

• Olympus struggles at high ISO and low light.

Video Shooting

• Sony offers better HD resolution and smoother frame rates.

• Olympus good only for casual video.

Travel Photography

• Olympus excels in portability and simplicity.

• Sony offers versatility at the cost of bulk.

Professional Use

• Neither camera supports RAW output, limiting post-processing control.

• Sony offers more exposure control, aiding workflow integration.

Build Quality and Connectivity

Neither camera offers weather sealing or ruggedness. Both use USB 2.0 and HDMI but lack wireless connectivity, Bluetooth, or GPS. The Sony’s physical construction feels more solid.

Price-to-Performance: What You Get for Your Money

At launch, both sat around $340, making them budget-friendly. The Olympus SZ-12 could appeal to beginners or travelers needing an easy superzoom, while the Sony HX300’s feature set justifies its slightly higher price for enthusiasts seeking manual control and better image quality.

Olympus SZ 12 front Olympus SZ 12 screen back Sony HX300 front Sony HX300 screen back

Final Verdict and Recommendations

After thorough evaluation, the Sony Cyber-shot HX300 emerges as the clear winner for photographers prioritizing image quality, zoom reach, manual control, and speed. It’s a versatile bridge camera that serves well across most shooting scenarios - from wildlife and landscapes to sports and video.

The Olympus SZ-12, by contrast, is best suited for casual users who want pocketability and ease of use without fuss. It cannot compete in technical performance but offers a lightweight, affordable superzoom that’s good for snapshots and family outings.

If you’re a photography enthusiast or a professional looking for a capable but budget-conscious superzoom, the Sony HX300 will satisfy most demands. Its richer feature set, better stabilization, and image quality improvements are well worth the extra weight and size.

If your priority is truly portability and simple point-and-shoot operation, the Olympus SZ-12 remains an accessible choice - just temper your expectations regarding autofocus speed, image quality, and creative control.

Methodology Note

Our conclusions stem from extensive real-world testing under varied lighting and subject conditions, cross-referenced by lab measurements of sensor performance, dynamic range, and autofocus consistency. We emphasize hands-on impressions over specs alone, ensuring practical buying advice for photographers who want to understand how gear performs beyond marketing claims.

Explore which machine suits your photographic adventure, and happy shooting!