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Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony TF1

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TF1 front
Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
34
Overall
37

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony TF1 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
  • Introduced January 2012
Sony TF1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-100mm (F3.6-4.7) lens
  • 152g - 102 x 62 x 23mm
  • Launched June 2013
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony TF1 Overview

In this article, we are matching up the Olympus SZ-12 and Sony TF1, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Waterproof by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SZ-12 (14MP) and the TF1 (16MP) is fairly comparable and they use the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ-12 was introduced 17 months earlier than the TF1 making the cameras a generation away from each other. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a in depth comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the SZ-12 scores versus the TF1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Sony TF1

 SZ-12 TF1 
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Sony TF1 over the Olympus SZ-12

 TF1 SZ-12 
LaunchedJune 2013January 2012Newer by 17 months
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Sony TF1

 SZ-12 TF1 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution460k460kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony TF1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to travel with your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-12 has external measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") and a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Sony TF1 has proportions of 102mm x 62mm x 23mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 0.9") and a weight of 152 grams (0.34 lbs).

Check out the Olympus SZ-12 and Sony TF1 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 differ dependant on the lens you have attached at the time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the SZ-12 against the TF1.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony TF1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-12 and TF1 is 89 and 94 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony TF1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony TF1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to envision the difference in sensor dimensions simply by seeing specifications. The pic below will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-12 and TF1.

Plainly, both of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You should anticipate the Sony TF1 to produce extra detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images a little more aggressively. The more aged SZ-12 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony TF1 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony TF1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony TF1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-12
Portrait photography with Sony TF1
33
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
includes face detect focus
no manual focus
no manual mode
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
35
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
includes face detect focusing
no manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Street photography details
Sony TF1 Street photography details
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (226 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
69
image stabilization (Optical)
provides focus via touch
environment sealing
lighter than competitors (152g)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Sports photography features
Sony TF1 Sports photography features
40
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
includes tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (220 per charge)
has no phase detect auto focus
42
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
environment sealing
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery life (240 shots)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Travel photography camera
Sony TF1 as a Travel photography camera
65
lighter than competition (226g)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
terrible battery life (220 shots)
does not have selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
69
lighter than competitors (152g)
environment sealing
provides focus via touch
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
flash built-in
really wide (25mm)
missing Timelapse mode
low battery life (240 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.6)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Landscape photography details
Sony TF1 Landscape photography details
40
rather wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
no manual mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
terrible battery life (220 shots)
lack of Time Lapse recording
40
really wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
environment sealing
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.6)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual control
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
low battery life (240 shots)
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SZ-12
Vlogging with Sony TF1
31
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect focus
lighter than competition (226 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
does not have selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic port
33
really wide (25mm)
touch screen
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
lighter than competitors (152 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.6)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone jack
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony TF1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Sony TF1
 Olympus SZ-12Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TF1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus SZ-12 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TF1
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Introduced 2012-01-10 2013-06-21
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
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 alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4288 x 3216 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.6-4.7
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT Color LCD TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 2 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1700 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Advanced Flash
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
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 226 grams (0.50 lb) 152 grams (0.34 lb)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 102 x 62 x 23mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 0.9")
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 photographs 240 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Launch price $350 $266