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Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony W690

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
32
Overall
36

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony W690 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-12
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
  • Launched January 2012
Sony W690
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 142g - 94 x 56 x 22mm
  • Announced February 2012
Photography Glossary

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony W690 Overview

Below, we will be matching up the Olympus SZ-12 and Sony W690, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SZ-12 (14MP) and the W690 (16MP) is pretty similar and they possess the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SZ-12 was revealed at a similar time to the W690 and they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving through a thorough comparison, below is a quick view of how the SZ-12 scores versus the W690 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Sony W690

 SZ-12 W690 
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W690 over the Olympus SZ-12

 W690 SZ-12 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Sony W690

 SZ-12 W690 
AnnouncedJanuary 2012February 2012Similar age
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony W690 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to lug around your camera frequently, you should factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-12 provides exterior measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Sony W690 has proportions of 94mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs).

Look at the Olympus SZ-12 and Sony W690 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are employing at the time. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the SZ-12 and the W690.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony W690 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ-12 and W690 is 89 and 95 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony W690 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony W690 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor measurements merely by reviewing technical specs. The graphic underneath will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-12 and W690.

As you can tell, both the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different MP. You can expect the Sony W690 to offer you more detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots much more aggressively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony W690 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony W690 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony W690 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony W690 as a Portrait photography camera
33
good resolution (14MP)
provides face detection autofocus
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
34
good MP (16 megapixels)
provides face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Street photography info
Sony W690 Street photography info
60
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (226g)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Sports photography factors
Sony W690 Sports photography factors
40
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (14MP)
provides tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (220 CIPA)
does not have phase detect autofocus
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
low frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Travel photography advice
Sony W690 Travel photography advice
65
lighter than average in class (226 grams)
good resolution (14MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
missing Timelapse recording
not so great battery pack (220 CIPA)
does not have selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
68
good MP (16MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
very long reach (250mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-12
Landscape photography with Sony W690
40
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
not so great battery pack (220 per charge)
missing Timelapse recording
43
quite wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
no manual control
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Vlogging advice
Sony W690 Vlogging advice
31
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection autofocus
lighter than average in class (226 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
does not have selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone port
31
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection autofocus
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic port
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony W690 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Sony W690
 Olympus SZ-12Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus SZ-12 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2012-01-10 2012-02-28
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - 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 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 3216 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT Color LCD ClearPhoto TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1700 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 3.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Mic 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226 gr (0.50 lb) 142 gr (0.31 lb)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 94 x 56 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 pictures 220 pictures
Battery form 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
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Retail price $350 $297