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Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony HX9V

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
46
Overall
41

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony HX9V Key Specs

Olympus SZ-12
(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
  • Launched January 2012
Sony HX9V
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 245g - 105 x 59 x 34mm
  • Revealed July 2011
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony HX9V Overview

Let's look a bit more closely at the Olympus SZ-12 versus Sony HX9V, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by brands Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the SZ-12 (14MP) and the HX9V (16MP) is pretty well matched and they enjoy the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SZ-12 was launched 6 months after the HX9V and they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before going in to a complete comparison, below is a short summation of how the SZ-12 matches up vs the HX9V in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Sony HX9V

 SZ-12 HX9V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX9V over the Olympus SZ-12

 HX9V SZ-12 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Screen resolution921k460kSharper screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Sony HX9V

 SZ-12 HX9V 
RevealedJanuary 2012July 2011Similar generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen dimensions
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony HX9V Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-12 enjoys outside measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") having a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Sony HX9V has specifications of 105mm x 59mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") and a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

Examine the Olympus SZ-12 versus Sony HX9V in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the SZ-12 compared to the HX9V.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony HX9V size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-12 and HX9V is 89 and 91 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony HX9V top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony HX9V Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be tough to envision the difference between sensor dimensions simply by checking a spec sheet. The pic here will give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-12 and HX9V.

As you can see, the 2 cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Sony HX9V to give you more detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs somewhat more aggressively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony HX9V sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony HX9V Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony HX9V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-12
Portrait photography with Sony HX9V
33
good megapixels (14MP)
supports face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
39
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (16MP)
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Street photography info
Sony HX9V Street photography info
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (226g)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (245g)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Sports photography details
Sony HX9V Sports photography details
40
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery life (220 per charge)
does not have phase detect autofocus
44
incredible zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Travel photography camera
Sony HX9V as a Travel photography camera
65
lighter than others in class (226g)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
no Time Lapse function
bad battery life (220 CIPA)
does not feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
69
lighter than average (245 grams)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
great zoom (384mm)
missing Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Landscape photography info
Sony HX9V Landscape photography info
40
fairly wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (14MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
bad battery life (220 CIPA)
no Time Lapse function
49
you can focus manually
pretty wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SZ-12
Vlogging with Sony HX9V
31
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detection autofocus
lighter than others in class (226g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
does not feature selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic jack
33
pretty wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average (245g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing external microphone support
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony HX9V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Sony HX9V
 Olympus SZ-12Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V
General Information
Company Olympus Sony
Model Olympus SZ-12 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2012-01-10 2011-07-19
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - BIONZ
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4288 x 3216 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Max aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.3-5.9
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT Color LCD XtraFine LCD display with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/1700s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 4.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1920 x 1080 (60fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226g (0.50 lb) 245g (0.54 lb)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 105 x 59 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 220 photos -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery model 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/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $350 $328