Clicky

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony S2100

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S2100 front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony S2100 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
  • Released January 2012
Sony S2100
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 33-105mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 167g - 98 x 61 x 27mm
  • Announced January 2010
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony S2100 Overview

Below is a complete comparison of the Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony S2100, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the SZ-12 (14MP) and the S2100 (12MP) is relatively similar and they come with the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

The SZ-12 was launched 2 years later than the S2100 and that is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a short introduction of how the SZ-12 grades vs the S2100 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Sony S2100

 SZ-12 S2100 
AnnouncedJanuary 2012January 2010More recent by 25 months
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S2100 over the Olympus SZ-12

 S2100 SZ-12 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Sony S2100

 SZ-12 S2100 
Manual focus No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony S2100 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to lug around your camera regularly, you'll need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-12 offers outer dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") having a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Sony S2100 has dimensions of 98mm x 61mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Look at the Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony S2100 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the SZ-12 and the S2100.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony S2100 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ-12 and S2100 is 89 and 93 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony S2100 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony S2100 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's hard to imagine the gap between sensor measurements merely by reviewing technical specs. The visual below will give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-12 and S2100.

As you can tell, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You should count on the Olympus SZ-12 to offer extra detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots far more aggressively. The newer SZ-12 should have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony S2100 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony S2100 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony S2100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Portrait photography information
Sony S2100 Portrait photography information
33
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
offers face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
21
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Street photography camera
Sony S2100 as a Street photography camera
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (226g)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
46
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Sports photography features
Sony S2100 Sports photography features
40
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
offers tracking focus
low frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (220 shots)
no phase detect AF
17
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,200s)
low frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Travel photography factors
Sony S2100 Travel photography factors
65
lighter than others in class (226g)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
no Timelapse mode
terrible battery power (220 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
50
has built in flash
no Time Lapse recording
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not offer selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Landscape photography info
Sony S2100 Landscape photography info
40
rather wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
terrible battery power (220 shots)
no Timelapse mode
27
screen is a good size (3 inch)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual mode
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
no Time Lapse recording
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Vlogging factors
Sony S2100 Vlogging factors
31
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect focusing
lighter than others in class (226 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no microphone support
22
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not offer selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 pxls)
no external mic socket
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony S2100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Sony S2100
 Olympus SZ-12Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S2100
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus SZ-12 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S2100
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2012-01-10 2010-01-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
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 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 33-105mm (3.2x)
Max aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.1-5.6
Macro focusing range - 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 1 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1700 seconds 1/1200 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 3.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Slow syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226 grams (0.50 lbs) 167 grams (0.37 lbs)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 98 x 61 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID LI-50B 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, optional SD, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $350 $0