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Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony HX99

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99 front
Portability
91
Imaging
45
Features
67
Overall
53

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony HX99 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
  • Revealed January 2012
Sony HX99
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3-inch Sensor
  • 3.00" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 242g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Announced September 2018
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony HX99 Overview

Here is a comprehensive comparison of the Olympus SZ-12 versus Sony HX99, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by brands Olympus and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap between the resolutions of the SZ-12 (14MP) and HX99 (18MP) and the SZ-12 (1/2.3") and HX99 (1/2.3-inch) boast different sensor measurements.

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The SZ-12 was released 7 years before the HX99 and that is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the SZ-12 matches up vs the HX99 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Sony HX99

 SZ-12 HX99 

Reasons to pick Sony HX99 over the Olympus SZ-12

 HX99 SZ-12 
AnnouncedSeptember 2018January 2012Fresher by 80 months
Focus manually More exact focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution921k460kClearer display (+461k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Sony HX99

 SZ-12 HX99 
Display size3"3.00"Same display measurements

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony HX99 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry your camera frequently, you will need to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus SZ-12 has got physical dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Sony HX99 has sizing of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") with a weight of 242 grams (0.53 lbs).

See the Olympus SZ-12 versus Sony HX99 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are using at that moment. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the SZ-12 vs the HX99.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony HX99 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ-12 and HX99 is 89 and 91 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony HX99 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony HX99 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be difficult to imagine the gap between sensor sizing merely by checking specs. The photograph underneath should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-12 and HX99.

All in all, both of the cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The SZ-12 featuring a larger sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF easier and the Sony HX99 will give you more detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The older SZ-12 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony HX99 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony HX99 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony HX99 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-12
Portrait photography with Sony HX99
33
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
provides face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
53
focusing manually
MP count good (18MP)
features face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3-inch)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SZ-12
Street photography with Sony HX99
60
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (226 grams)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
77
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization
saves RAW formats
lighter than others in class (242g)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3-inch)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Sports photography camera
Sony HX99 as a Sports photography camera
40
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery (220 shots)
lack of phase detect autofocus
58
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization
MP count good (18MP)
features tracking focus
good battery (360 CIPA)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3-inch)
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Travel photography highlights
Sony HX99 Travel photography highlights
65
lighter than competitors (226g)
resolution is good (14MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
terrible battery (220 shots)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.0)
76
good battery (360 CIPA)
lighter than others in class (242g)
MP count good (18MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
relatively wide (24mm)
great reach (720mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Landscape photography highlights
Sony HX99 Landscape photography highlights
40
decently wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not available
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
terrible battery (220 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse mode
58
focusing manually
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3.00")
has image stabilization
MP count good (18MP)
saves RAW formats
good battery (360 CIPA)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3-inch)
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Vlogging information
Sony HX99 Vlogging information
31
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detect autofocus
lighter than competitors (226 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic jack
76
relatively wide (24mm)
selfie friendly display
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization
features face detect autofocus
good video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
lighter than others in class (242 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have microphone jack
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony HX99 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Sony HX99
 Olympus SZ-12Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus SZ-12 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2012-01-10 2018-09-01
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3-inch
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4288 x 3216 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 1600 12800
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.5-6.4
Macro focusing range - 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inch 3.00 inch
Display resolution 460k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 638k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.5x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1700 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 5.40 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure 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) 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p, 120p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone 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 None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226g (0.50 pounds) 242g (0.53 pounds)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" 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 pictures 360 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Price at launch $350 $469