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Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony W220

Portability
89
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W220 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony W220 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 W220
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 30-120mm (F2.8-7.1) lens
  • 147g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Released January 2009
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony W220 Overview

In this article, we are comparing the Olympus SZ-12 versus Sony W220, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the SZ-12 (14MP) and the W220 (12MP) is fairly comparable and they use the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SZ-12 was manufactured 3 years later than the W220 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the SZ-12 scores vs the W220 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Sony W220

 SZ-12 W220 
ReleasedJanuary 2012January 2009Fresher by 37 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W220 over the Olympus SZ-12

 W220 SZ-12 
Focus manually More accurate focusing

Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Sony W220

 SZ-12 W220 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony W220 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry your camera, you will need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-12 provides physical dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Sony W220 has measurements of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 147 grams (0.32 lbs).

See the Olympus SZ-12 versus Sony W220 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have chosen during that time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the SZ-12 vs the W220.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony W220 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-12 and W220 is 89 and 95 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony W220 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony W220 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's difficult to visualize the difference in sensor sizing merely by seeing technical specs. The graphic below will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-12 and W220.

As you have seen, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You should anticipate the Olympus SZ-12 to show more detail due to its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will let you crop pics far more aggressively. The younger SZ-12 provides a benefit in sensor technology.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony W220 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony W220 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony W220 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Portrait photography advice
Sony W220 Portrait photography advice
34
good resolution (14 megapixels)
includes face detect focusing
no manual focus
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
27
manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Street photography camera
Sony W220 as a Street photography camera
60
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (226g)
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Sports photography details
Sony W220 Sports photography details
41
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (14MP)
includes tracking focus
max frames per second low (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (220 CIPA)
has no phase detect AF
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Travel photography info
Sony W220 Travel photography info
65
lighter than competitors (226 grams)
good resolution (14MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
no Timelapse recording
terrible battery power (220 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
51
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Landscape photography details
Sony W220 Landscape photography details
40
relatively wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (14MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
manual mode not available
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
terrible battery power (220 shots)
no Timelapse recording
32
manual focus
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual control
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SZ-12
Vlogging with Sony W220
31
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect focusing
lighter than competitors (226g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone port
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
lack of external microphone port
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony W220 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Sony W220
 Olympus SZ-12Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W220
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus SZ-12 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W220
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2012-01-10 2009-01-08
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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 30-120mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/2.8-7.1
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 1 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1700 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 7.10 m (Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, Flash On, Slow Syncro, Red-eye, Flash Off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (8 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 gr (0.50 lbs) 147 gr (0.32 lbs)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" 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 photos -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $350 $160