Olympus SZ-12 vs. Sony TX200V: A Hands-On Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

When it comes to compact cameras, the market has always been a jungle of choices. You want a camera that’s pocketable but not too puny, flexible enough to cover your favorite shooting styles, and at the right price to make your wallet smile. Today, I’m diving deep into two interesting 2012-era contenders: the Olympus SZ-12, a small sensor superzoom with a monster focal range, and Sony’s Cyber-shot DSC-TX200V, a sleek ultracompact that offers solid performance in a very portable package.

Both appeal to a broad audience - travelers, casual shooters, and first-timers with an eye for value - yet each approaches the concept of ‘all-around compactness’ from very different angles. I’ve spent time with both, putting them through real-world scenarios and technical benchmarks to bring you an honest, experience-backed comparison.

Let’s start by sizing them up, literally.

Size, Build, and Ergonomics: Handling the SZ-12 and TX200V

Here’s where the first impression sets the tone. The Olympus SZ-12 is a classic compact, but with the bulk and heft to accommodate a huge 24x zoom lens. In contrast, the Sony TX200V is featherweight, slim - the kind of pocket cam you hardly notice until it saves your shot.

• Olympus SZ-12 dimensions: 106 x 69 x 40 mm; weight 226g
• Sony TX200V dimensions: 96 x 58 x 16 mm; weight 129g

That thickness difference is noticeable, doubling from Sony’s slim profile to Olympus’s chunkier frame. The SZ-12 offers decent grip-friendly contours, understandable given its sizeable zoom, whereas the TX200V’s small, almost flat design sacrifices some hand-holding comfort for ultimate portability.

The Olympus uses a fixed TFT LCD (3" screen, 460k dots), so viewing in bright outdoor conditions can be cumbersome. Sony’s TX200V, on the other hand, boasts a brighter and crisper 3.3" OLED touchscreen panel with approximately 1.23 million dots, making shooting and reviewing images more enjoyable and precise.

The control layout also reflects their purposes. Olympus clubs its controls with clear mode dials and zoom levers, built for quick one-handed operation. Sony trims down buttons drastically, relying more on touchscreen gestures - a boon for those who prefer tap and swipe over fiddling with buttons, but perhaps a headache for tactile purists.

For those who prize ergonomics and quick access controls during extended handheld shooting, the SZ-12 offers a more rugged and comfortable grip. If pocketability and discretion top your list, Sony’s TX200V is the clear winner.

Sensor and Image Quality: CCD vs. BSI-CMOS, Resolution, and ISO Performance

Digging under the hood, the sensor is the heart of image quality, and here’s an area where the gap widens significantly.

• Olympus SZ-12:
  • 1/2.3" CCD sensor, 14 MP resolution
  • Max ISO 1600 (native)
  • Anti-alias filter present
• Sony TX200V:
  • 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensor, 18 MP resolution
  • Max ISO 12800 (native)
  • Anti-alias filter present

Both cameras employ the same sensor size category, but Sony’s back-illuminated CMOS tech is a big advantage here. In practical terms, BSI-CMOS sensors offer better low-light sensitivity and dynamic range compared to traditional CCDs, which tend to be more power-hungry and produce higher noise at elevated ISOs.

During my side-by-side low-light tests, the SX-12’s images showed more noise and grain beyond ISO 800, pushing users to limit themselves to daylight and bright indoor settings for best results. The TX200V, although still a compact with small pixels, held detail better up to ISO 3200 and produced less chroma noise. This can be a lifesaver if you shoot events or dim interiors without flash.

Sony’s higher megapixel count (18MP vs. 14MP) means you get finer detail and more cropping flexibility. Although this does come with potentially more noise on tiny sensors, Sony’s sensor design mitigates it well.

Color rendition and skin tones leaned slightly warmer and more natural on the Olympus, which may appeal to those shooting casual portraits - though neither camera will replace a larger-sensor camera for professional portrait work.

Lens Capabilities and Zoom Range: How Far Can You Reach?

Ok, this is where things get polarizing for these two. Olympus SZ-12 boasts an incredibly long zoom lens:

• Olympus SZ-12: 25-600 mm equivalent (24x zoom), aperture f/3.0–6.9
• Sony TX200V: 28-140 mm equivalent (5x zoom), aperture f/3.5–4.8

That's a quadruple difference in reach! It’s impressive the Olympus crams a 600mm telephoto equivalent into a compact body.

If your photography includes wildlife, distant subjects, or even casual bird watching, the SZ-12 lets you zoom way in without breaking the bank. However, there's a caveat: the long zoom comes with tradeoffs in aperture (slow at the tele end), image quality drop off at maximum zoom, and susceptibility to camera shake.

Luckily, the SZ-12 includes sensor-shift image stabilization, which helps combat blur. Sony also offers optical stabilization, but the shorter zoom range means less need to counteract shake at super-tele ends.

For portraits, the SZ-12’s wide end starts at 25mm, offering the flexibility to switch from wide environmental portraits to tightly framed shots, whereas Sony’s 28mm wide is slightly narrower.

Macro-wise, Sony’s lens allows a minimum focus distance of 3cm, a definite plus for close-up shots, while Olympus doesn’t specify macro capabilities - a nod to the SZ-12’s tele-centric design.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Tracking, Face Detection, and Burst Rates

Fast and reliable autofocus (AF) can make or break a shooting experience, especially when subjects move unpredictably.

• Olympus SZ-12:
  • Contrast-detection AF
  • Face detection included
  • Single AF only with some basic AF tracking
  • Continuous shooting: 1 fps
• Sony TX200V:
  • Contrast-detection AF with 9 focus points
  • Touch AF via touchscreen
  • Face detection plus center-weighted AF area option
  • Continuous shooting: 10 fps

Sony’s ability to shoot bursts at 10 frames per second adds significant value for action and street photographers who want to capture the decisive moment. Plus, the 9-point AF system covered a wider area, combined with touch-to-focus responsiveness, really shines in fast-paced environments.

Olympus suffers heavily here with a sluggish 1 fps burst mode and a lack of manual focus or exposure controls, restricting its use in dynamic photography.

Face detection is on both cameras, though Sony’s implementation is more advanced and reliable thanks to more focus points, touch capability, and a better processor (Sony’s BIONZ).

Screens and Interface: Touchscreen Brilliance vs. Basic Display

You've already seen the size difference, but image review and menu navigation also play an important role.

Sony’s TX200V sports a gorgeous 3.3-inch XtraFine TruBlack OLED touchscreen with 1,229,760 dots – crisp text, vivid colors, and intuitive swipe taps make it a joy to use. The touchscreen AF is a standout feature, enabling quick focusing anywhere on the frame.

Olympus sticks with a 3-inch TFT LCD fixed display at only 460k dots, with no touchscreen interaction. This feels dated and less vibrant.

The menus on Sony are organized logically, with immediate access to white balance bracketing and exposure adjustments. Olympus's interface is more barren, and the lack of manual controls will frustrate advanced users.

Video Performance: HD vs. Full HD, Frame Rates, and Formats

If you’re capturing family videos or casual B-roll, video quality can tip the scales.

• Olympus SZ-12:
  • Max video: 1280 x 720 (HD) at 30 fps
  • Video formats: MPEG-4, H.264
• Sony TX200V:
  • Max video: 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) at 60 fps
  • Video formats: MPEG-4, AVCHD

The TX200V delivers full HD video at a buttery smooth 60 frames per second - a fairly remarkable feat for a camera of this era and size - and offers a better codec (AVCHD) for smoother playback and higher quality compression.

The Olympus’s 720p video, while adequate for casual shooters, looks noticeably softer and less fluid in motion due to 30fps limits.

Neither camera has external mic inputs (a bummer for vloggers or content creators who prioritize audio quality), but Sony’s touchscreen controls simplify video focusing.

Battery Life and Storage: What Keeps You Shooting?

You don’t want your camera dying halfway through your trip or event.

Both cameras rate around 220 shots per charge, which is modest by today’s standards but typical for small sensor compacts of this vintage.

• Olympus SZ-12: Proprietary LI-50B battery, SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot.
• Sony TX200V: NP-BN battery, Memory Stick Duo/Pro slot (plus SD card compatibility via adapters).

The Sony battery is small but charged relatively quickly; its slimmer form factor means more frequent charges on heavy days. Olympus’s bigger body handles the slightly larger battery comfortably.

Storage-wise, Olympus’s support for SDXC cards is a plus for higher capacity, whereas Sony sticks with Memory Stick duo format, which is less convenient and more expensive.

Connectivity and Extra Features

Neither camera offers Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC - features now standard even in beginner cameras - but the Sony TX200V includes built-in GPS for geotagging your captures. This is a useful feature for travelers who like to map their shots.

Neither model offers environmental sealing; beware if you plan to shoot in rain or dusty conditions.

Shooting Scenarios and Practical Use Cases

To put it all together, I shot portraits, landscapes, street, wildlife attempts, macro, night scenes, and even some video to stress-test both cameras.

Olympus SZ 12 front Olympus SZ 12 screen back Sony TX200V front Sony TX200V screen back

Portraits

Sony’s higher resolution sensor and advanced face detection provide sharper portraits with better skin tones and natural bokeh separation, although both cameras struggle with shallow depth of field due to sensor size and lens aperture limits.

Landscapes

Olympus shines with its zoom reach, letting you capture distant mountain peaks or wildlife that Sony’s shorter zoom can’t reach. That said, Sony’s higher detail and dynamic range yield more nuanced captures with better highlight and shadow detail.

Wildlife and Sports

The SZ-12’s 24x zoom is tempting, but its 1 fps burst mode and sluggish autofocus limit capturing fast action. Sony’s 10fps shooting and faster AF system are better suited for sports and street photography.

Street and Travel

Sony’s compactness, discretion, and touchscreen keep it ahead for street photographers. The Olympus is bulkier and less discreet but offers impressive travel flexibility with its zoom - tradeoff your shoulder comfort for zoom reach.

Macro

Sony’s close-focusing 3cm lens lets you capture detailed macro shots well. Olympus doesn’t support near-focus well.

Night and Astro

Sony’s BSI-CMOS sensor pushes ISO higher with cleaner images, giving a slight edge in astro and low-light. Neither camera has extensive manual controls, so star trails or complex night shots remain a challenge.

Video

Sony's full HD 60p video delivers noticeably better quality and smoothness than Olympus’s 720p.

Performance Summary in Scores and Ratings

I created a comprehensive performance scores breakdown to put the technical data and my practical verdicts into context.

Overall, the Sony edges out for users prioritizing portability, image quality, speed and video, while the Olympus is the go-to for zoom versatility and ergonomics.

Final Recommendations: Who Should Buy Which?

Get the Olympus SZ-12 if:

• You crave an extraordinary zoom range for nature, wildlife, or sports at a budget
• You don’t mind a bulkier camera and slower shooting speed
• You shoot mostly in good light and want simple point-and-shoot ease
• Battery life and straightforward handling matter to you
• You focus less on video and more on stills with reach

Choose the Sony TX200V if:

• You want an ultra-compact camera with a premium screen and fast shooting speeds
• You need better image quality and low-light performance in a tiny package
• You shoot casual video with full HD at 60fps and want easy touchscreen controls
• Portability and discretion for street or travel shooting is a priority
• You value smart features like GPS

Wrapping It Up: A Budget-Minded Expert’s Take

Despite both cameras debuting over a decade ago, they still offer intriguing packages for different user profiles. As a hands-on tester, I appreciate the Olympus SZ-12 for what it’s designed to do: provide jaw-dropping zoom range for an affordable price. It’s perfect for beginner birders or vacationers who want to bring distant subjects close without lugging heavy gear.

The Sony TX200V reminds me why ultracompact cameras once reigned supreme: slick design, fast response, and superior image quality squeezed into a palm-filling form factor. For casual enthusiasts who prize convenience and video quality, the TX200V remains a solid pick.

If you’re a cheapskate looking for maximum reach and don’t mind skipping modern connectivity or ultrafast shooting, Olympus’ zoom champ is your deal. But if you lean towards versatility, crisp images, and smooth video in an almost-luxury tiny body, Sony’s Cyber-shot TX200V fits the bill better.

I hope my experience guides you closer to the ideal choice for your photography needs. Remember, no camera is perfect, but picking the right tool means knowing what you need - and sometimes, that’s a tradeoff well worth making.

Happy shooting!

Note: All scores and performance insights stem from hands-on field testing and industry-standard evaluation protocols, coupled with side-by-side image quality comparisons to deliver trustworthy advice.