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Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony TX9

Portability
89
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX9 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony TX9 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 TX9
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F3.5-4.6) lens
  • 149g - 98 x 60 x 18mm
  • Released July 2010
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony TX9 Overview

In this write-up, we will be looking at the Olympus SZ-12 and Sony TX9, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Ultracompact by brands Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the SZ-12 (14MP) and the TX9 (12MP) is pretty well matched and they feature the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ-12 was revealed 19 months after the TX9 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SZ-12 being a Compact camera and the Sony TX9 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving through a in-depth comparison, below is a short summation of how the SZ-12 matches up vs the TX9 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Sony TX9

 SZ-12 TX9 
ReleasedJanuary 2012July 2010More modern by 19 months

Reasons to pick Sony TX9 over the Olympus SZ-12

 TX9 SZ-12 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Screen sizing3.5"3"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution922k460kCrisper screen (+462k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Sony TX9

 SZ-12 TX9 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony TX9 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-12 has got exterior dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Sony TX9 has measurements of 98mm x 60mm x 18mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 149 grams (0.33 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus SZ-12 and Sony TX9 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you choose at the time. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the SZ-12 against the TX9.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony TX9 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-12 and TX9 is 89 and 95 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony TX9 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony TX9 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its tough to visualize the difference between sensor sizes just by checking a spec sheet. The image underneath will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-12 and TX9.

Clearly, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You should expect the Olympus SZ-12 to give extra detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots far more aggressively. The younger SZ-12 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony TX9 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony TX9 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony TX9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Portrait photography features
Sony TX9 Portrait photography features
34
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
supports face detection autofocus
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
27
manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SZ-12
Street photography with Sony TX9
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (226 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports focus via touch
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
more heavy than competitors (149 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Sports photography highlights
Sony TX9 Sports photography highlights
41
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
supports tracking autofocus
slow fps (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
low battery pack (220 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking autofocus
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SZ-12
Travel photography with Sony TX9
65
lighter than average in class (226 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
does not have Timelapse function
low battery pack (220 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
60
supports focus via touch
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
no Timelapse mode
more heavy than competitors (149g)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Landscape photography advice
Sony TX9 Landscape photography advice
40
reasonably wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual exposure
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
low battery pack (220 shots)
does not have Timelapse function
41
manual focus
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen larger than average (3.5")
has image stabilization (Optical)
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual exposure
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SZ-12
Vlogging with Sony TX9
31
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detection autofocus
lighter than average in class (226 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external microphone jack
32
reasonably wide (25mm)
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not have selfie friendly screen
no external microphone jack
more heavy than competitors (149 grams)
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony TX9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Sony TX9
 Olympus SZ-12Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX9
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model Olympus SZ-12 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX9
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Introduced 2012-01-10 2010-07-08
Body design Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Chip - 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 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 125
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.5-4.6
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3.5"
Resolution of screen 460k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 2s
Max shutter speed 1/1700s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 3.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Slow syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance 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) 1920 x 1080 (50 fps), 1440 x 1080 (50, 25fps), 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226 grams (0.50 lbs) 149 grams (0.33 lbs)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 98 x 60 x 18mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 photographs -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model LI-50B NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 sec or 10 sec, portrait1/ portrait2)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/ SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch price $350 $799