Clicky

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony W560

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W560 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
28
Overall
33

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony W560 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
  • Announced January 2012
Sony W560
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-104mm (F2.7-5.7) lens
  • 110g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
  • Introduced January 2011
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony W560 Overview

Following is a complete comparison of the Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony W560, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Ultracompact by companies Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the SZ-12 (14MP) and the W560 (14MP) is relatively similar and both cameras offer the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

The SZ-12 was unveiled 13 months after the W560 which makes them a generation away from one another. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus SZ-12 being a Compact camera and the Sony W560 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the SZ-12 scores vs the W560 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Sony W560

 SZ-12 W560 
IntroducedJanuary 2012January 2011More modern by 13 months
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W560 over the Olympus SZ-12

 W560 SZ-12 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Sony W560

 SZ-12 W560 
Manual focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony W560 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you are going to need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-12 features physical dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") having a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Sony W560 has proportions of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony W560 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are using at the time. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the SZ-12 versus the W560.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony W560 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-12 and W560 is 89 and 96 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony W560 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony W560 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be hard to imagine the contrast between sensor sizes purely by reading a spec sheet. The picture underneath will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-12 and W560.

As you can see, both of these cameras come with the identical sensor size and the identical MP therefore you should expect similar quality of pictures although you will need to consider the production date of the products into consideration. The more modern SZ-12 should have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony W560 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony W560 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony W560 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-12
Portrait photography with Sony W560
33
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
offers face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
28
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Street photography advice
Sony W560 Street photography advice
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Sports photography camera
Sony W560 as a Sports photography camera
40
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
offers tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
low battery life (220 shots)
no phase detect AF
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
max fps very slow (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Travel photography info
Sony W560 Travel photography info
65
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
low battery life (220 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
65
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (26mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Landscape photography highlights
Sony W560 Landscape photography highlights
40
rather wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual exposure
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
low battery life (220 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse function
42
rather wide (26mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
no manual control
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
lack of Time Lapse recording
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Vlogging info
Sony W560 Vlogging info
31
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detection focusing
lighter than competition in class (226g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic port
29
rather wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic jack
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony W560 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Sony W560
 Olympus SZ-12Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W560
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model Olympus SZ-12 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W560
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Announced 2012-01-10 2011-01-06
Body design Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor 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 14MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4288 x 3216 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 26-104mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/2.7-5.7
Macro focus range - 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT Color LCD Clear Photo 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 second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 3.80 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure 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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Mic 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 gr (0.50 lb) 110 gr (0.24 lb)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" 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 photos -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery model LI-50B NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $350 $139