Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony HX5

Let's look closer at the Olympus SZ-12 and Sony HX5, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Sony. There is a crucial difference between the image resolutions of the SZ-12 (14MP) and HX5 (10MP) and the SZ-12 (1/2.3") and HX5 (1/2.4") posses different sensor dimensions.

Photography Glossary

The SZ-12 was brought out 20 months later than the HX5 making them a generation apart from each other. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a full comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the SZ-12 grades versus the HX5 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus SZ-12 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5. The entire galleries are available at Olympus SZ-12 Gallery and Sony HX5 Gallery.

If you are aiming to lug around your camera often, you're going to have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-12 enjoys physical 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) and the Sony HX5 has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus SZ-12 and Sony HX5 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are employing at the time. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the SZ-12 and the HX5.

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-12 and HX5 is 89 and 92 respectively.

Often, it is difficult to imagine the gap between sensor measurements just by reviewing technical specs. The graphic below will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-12 and HX5.

As you have seen, each of these cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The SZ-12 due to its larger sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF less difficult and the Olympus SZ-12 will offer greater detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The more recent SZ-12 provides a benefit with regard to sensor tech.