Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony HX30V
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 HX30V Key Specs
Olympus SZ-12
(Full Review)
(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
- Introduced January 2012
Sony HX30V
(Full Review)
(Full Review)
- 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
- 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
- Revealed February 2012
- Previous Model is Sony HX20V
- Successor is Sony HX50V
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On this page, we will be analyzing the Olympus SZ-12 versus Sony HX30V, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Olympus and Sony. There is a huge difference between the sensor resolutions of the SZ-12 (14MP) and HX30V (18MP) but both cameras have the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhoneThe SZ-12 was introduced about the same time to the HX30V so they are of a similar generation. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before we go straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the SZ-12 matches up against the HX30V in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
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Following is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus SZ-12 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V. The whole galleries are available at Olympus SZ-12 Gallery and Sony HX30V Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Sony HX30V
| SZ-12 | HX30V |
|---|
Reasons to pick Sony HX30V over the Olympus SZ-12
| HX30V | SZ-12 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus |  | Dial precise focus | ||
| Screen resolution | 922k |  | 460k | Sharper screen (+462k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Sony HX30V
| SZ-12 | HX30V | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revealed | January 2012 |  | February 2012 | Similar generation |
| Screen type | Fixed |  | Fixed | Fixed screen |
| Screen dimensions | 3" |  | 3" | Equal screen measurement |
| Selfie screen |  | No selfie screen | ||
| Touch screen |  | No Touch screen |
Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony HX30V Physical Comparison
If you are intending to travel with your camera frequently, you're going to have to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-12 comes with exterior dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") and a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Sony HX30V has measurements of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") along with a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).
Check out the Olympus SZ-12 versus Sony HX30V in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the SZ-12 and the HX30V.
Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-12 and HX30V is 89 and 90 respectively.
Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony HX30V Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, its tough to picture the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by reading technical specs. The pic here should offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-12 and HX30V.
As you have seen, both the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Sony HX30V to offer greater detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs more aggressively.
Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony HX30V Screen and ViewFinder
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Portrait Comparison
Olympus SZ-12 Portrait photography advice
Sony HX30V Portrait photography advice
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
includes face detection autofocus
no manual focus
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
focusing manually
decent megapixels (18MP)
offers face detect autofocus
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Olympus SZ-12 as a Street photography camera
Sony HX30V as a Street photography camera
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (226 grams)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (254g)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Olympus SZ-12 as a Sports photography camera
Sony HX30V as a Sports photography camera
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (220 CIPA)
no phase detect autofocus
excellent zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (18MP)
offers tracking focus
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
Photography GlossaryTravel Comparison
Travel photography with Olympus SZ-12
Travel photography with Sony HX30V
lighter than competitors (226 grams)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
not so great battery pack (220 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
lighter than competition (254 grams)
decent megapixels (18MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long reach (500mm)
no Time Lapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Olympus SZ-12 Landscape photography factors
Sony HX30V Landscape photography factors
quite wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (14MP)
no manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
manual mode not available
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
not so great battery pack (220 per charge)
missing Time Lapse recording
focusing manually
reasonably wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Time Lapse function
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Olympus SZ-12 Vlogging features
Sony HX30V Vlogging features
quite wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection autofocus
lighter than competitors (226 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic port
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (254 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
screen is not selfie friendly
no mic jack
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony HX30V Specifications
| Olympus SZ-12 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Manufacturer | Olympus | Sony |
| Model type | Olympus SZ-12 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V |
| Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
| Introduced | 2012-01-10 | 2012-02-28 |
| 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 | 14MP | 18MP |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | - | 4:3 and 16:9 |
| Highest resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 4896 x 3672 |
| Highest native ISO | 1600 | 12800 |
| Minimum native ISO | 80 | 100 |
| RAW data | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| AF touch | ||
| AF continuous | ||
| Single AF | ||
| AF tracking | ||
| Selective AF | ||
| Center weighted AF | ||
| Multi area AF | ||
| AF live view | ||
| Face detection focusing | ||
| Contract detection focusing | ||
| Phase detection focusing | ||
| 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) |
| Max aperture | f/3.0-6.9 | f/3.2-5.8 |
| Macro focusing distance | - | 1cm |
| Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen sizing | 3 inches | 3 inches |
| Screen resolution | 460 thousand dot | 922 thousand dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch friendly | ||
| Screen technology | TFT Color LCD | XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Slowest shutter speed | 4 secs | 30 secs |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/1700 secs | 1/1600 secs |
| Continuous shooting speed | 1.0fps | 10.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
| Set WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash distance | - | 7.10 m |
| Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync |
| External flash | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| 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) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
| Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
| Mic input | ||
| Headphone input | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | None | Built-In |
| 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 lb) | 254 gr (0.56 lb) |
| 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 All around 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 | 320 photographs |
| Battery format | 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 shooting | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo |
| Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
| Launch pricing | $350 | $420 |