Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony SLT-A55: An Expert Comparison for Discerning Photographers

Choosing between compact superzoom cameras and entry-level DSLRs is a common dilemma for enthusiasts venturing beyond smartphone photography. The Olympus SZ-12 and Sony SLT-A55 are products from distinct categories but overlapping entry-level price points, each promising compelling features. Having personally tested thousands of cameras across genres and conditions, I bring you a detailed comparison grounded in hands-on experience and thorough technical evaluation.

In this deep dive, I assess performance, usability, image quality, and overall value across diverse photography styles - helping you pick the best fit depending on what and how you shoot.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Handling

When you first hold the Olympus SZ-12 and the Sony A55 side by side, the difference in physical design and ergonomics is immediately apparent.

Olympus SZ-12: Compact and pocketable, the SZ-12 weighs just 226 grams with dimensions of 106 x 69 x 40 mm. It's designed as a user-friendly travel companion, straightforward with minimal controls. The plastic body is light but feels secure enough for casual use. The grip is modest but sufficient considering this is a fixed-lens compact.

Sony SLT-A55: A traditional DSLR form, the A55 weighs over twice as much at 500 grams and measures 124 x 92 x 85 mm. This heft translates into better balance, an intuitive grip, and robust ergonomics favored by photographers who handle their gear extensively. The larger size accommodates a substantial electronic viewfinder and articulated screen, alongside physical dials and buttons.

My Take: If you prioritize portability and absolute ease of use, the SZ-12’s compactness wins. However, for extended shoots or situations requiring precise control, the Sony’s solid build and ergonomic design are preferable.

Design and User Interface: Controls at Your Fingertips

Operating a camera efficiently can be make-or-break in the moment. Let's compare the control layouts and screen interfaces.

Olympus SZ-12: The SZ-12 offers a minimal top-panel interface - essentially a shutter button and zoom toggle. The 3-inch fixed TFT LCD with 460K dots is clear but not particularly bright or high resolution. No touchscreen or articulating hinge means you compose strictly from the rear screen. Notably, there's no viewfinder at all.

Sony SLT-A55: On the other hand, the A55 features a fully articulated 3-inch LCD with 921K dots, facilitating shooting from high or low angles - a feature I often found invaluable in street and macro work. Sony's inclusion of a 1,150-dot electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage further expands compositional confidence, especially under bright daylight.

Sony’s top deck sports physical dials for exposure modes, ISO, and direct access buttons to White Balance and Drive Settings, making rapid adjustments effortless - a level of control absent on the SZ-12.

My Take: For photographers who value direct, tactile controls - especially beginners looking to learn manual exposure or move quickly between modes - the A55 has the clear edge. The SZ-12 suits casual shooting scenarios where simplicity outweighs control depth.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of Photography

Image quality hinges on sensor size, pixel count, and processing, which influence resolution, dynamic range, noise performance, and color fidelity.

• Olympus SZ-12: 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor, 14MP effective resolution (4288 x 3216), with a surface area of just 28.07 mm². Pixels are relatively small due to compact sensor size. Max native ISO is 1600 (no boosted range). Olympus applies sensor-shift stabilization, which helps reduce blur.

• Sony SLT-A55: APS-C sized CMOS sensor with 16MP resolution (4912 x 3264), covering a large 366.6 mm² area - over 13 times bigger than the SZ-12 sensor. Offers native ISO range from 100 to 12800, expandable up to 25600. The Bionz processor aids in noise reduction and color accuracy.

Hands-on Image Assessment:

Using standardized test charts and varied lighting, the A55 exhibits noticeably crisper detail and superior dynamic range. Shadows retain texture and highlight roll-off is smoother, allowing greater post-processing latitude. The SZ-12’s sensor, limited by size and technology, produces softer images with restricted exposure latitude. Noise becomes problematic over ISO 400, whereas the A55 maintains clean output up to ISO 1600 and usable images beyond.

Color rendition on the A55 appears truer to life with vibrant greens and natural skin tones, benefiting from Sony's advanced processing. The SZ-12 skews slightly towards flat, washed-out outputs under challenging light.

Autofocus Performance: Speed and Accuracy in Real-World Conditions

AF systems can dramatically affect results, particularly in fast-paced or wildlife photography.

• Olympus SZ-12: Contrast-detection AF only, 1 focus point, face detection available. Single-shot AF with no continuous tracking mode.

• Sony SLT-A55: Hybrid autofocus - phase detection with 15 points (3 cross-type) plus contrast detection for live view AF. Supports continuous AF and includes face detection during stills and video.

During wildlife and sports simulation, I found the A55’s AF both quicker to lock and reliable on moving subjects. While not cutting-edge by today’s standards, its phase detection grants faster, more confident acquisition and limited tracking capabilities. SZ-12’s contrast detection relies on slowing down to focus and refocus, suited for static scenes.

Versatility in Photography Genres

Let’s examine how each camera fares across major photography disciplines based on comprehensive field tests.

Portrait Photography

Portraits demand flattering skin tones, smooth backgrounds, and precise eye focus.

• Sony A55: APS-C sensor and interchangeable lenses provide attractive background blur and higher resolution for detail. Eye detection AF assists composition, and accurate WB controls yield lifelike skin tones. Use with prime lenses creates creamy bokeh and pinpoint sharpness.

• Olympus SZ-12: Limited by smaller sensor and built-in lens (25-600 mm equivalent, f/3.0-6.9), background blur is minimal, and low light performance is limited. Face AF helps but struggles in dim environments. Skin tones can appear flat.

Verdict: The A55 is a far better choice for dedicated portrait work or creating artistic blurry backgrounds.

Landscape Photography

Key factors: resolution, dynamic range, color depth, and weather sealing.

• Sony A55: Larger sensor with wider dynamic range captures intricate shadow details and highlights. 16MP resolution allows for large prints and cropping flexibility. No weather sealing limits rugged outdoor use but solid overall build.

• Olympus SZ-12: Smaller sensor and less dynamic range restrict shadow detail and tonal gradation. Compact body lacks any sealing. Optical zoom helps in framing distant landscape elements, but image quality limits final output dimensions.

Wildlife Photography

Detecting and capturing fast-moving animals requires autofocus agility, appropriate focal length, burst rates, and durability.

• Olympus SZ-12: 25-600mm zoom offers impressive reach for a compact but max aperture narrowing at telephoto reduces low light ability. Only 1 frame per second continuous shooting limits action sequences.

• Sony A55: Interchangeable lens mount supports extensive telephoto options (minimized by 1.5x crop factor). 10 fps burst aids in capturing decisive moments. AF tracking pausing in AF-C mode can be an issue but phase detection and face detection assist in locking focus quickly.

Sports Photography

This demands excellent autofocus tracking, rapid frame rates, and good low light sensitivity.

• Sony A55: 10fps continuous shooting with AF-C mode excels for high-speed subjects. While buffer depth is limited, it allows for short bursts. Higher ISO performance extends shooting into challenging lighting. Exposure modes and physical controls aid in customization on the fly.

• Olympus SZ-12: 1 fps continuous shoot rate makes it impractical for most sports use, and AF speed is lagging.

Street Photography

Portability, discretion, and low-light enhancements matter most here.

• Olympus SZ-12: Small size and quiet operation make it unobtrusive. However, slow AF and limited low-light sensitivity can miss fleeting street moments.

• Sony A55: Bulkier body draws attention but articulating screen and customizable controls support a variety of shooting angles and styles. Electronic viewfinder makes low-light framing straightforward.

Macro Photography

Close focusing precision and magnification are deciding factors.

• Olympus SZ-12: No dedicated macro mode mentioned, and variable aperture limits shallow depth of field control.

• Sony A55: With compatible macro lenses, the DSLR excels. Manual focus aids precision, focus peaking (manual via liveview) assists critical sharpness, and articulating screen allows comfortable low-angle framing.

Night and Astro Photography

High ISO performance and long exposure capabilities dominate this genre.

• Sony A55: ISO up to 12800 native (25600 boosted) and shutter speeds up to 30 seconds enable astrophotography and long exposure experimentation. Noise is well controlled at moderate ISOs. Bulb mode supported via firmware hacks.

• Olympus SZ-12: Max shutter speed of 1/1700 sec and max ISO 1600 constrain low light work. No manual bulb mode or long exposure settings.

Video Capabilities

Videographers will weigh frame rates, resolution, and audio inputs.

• Olympus SZ-12: Offers 720p HD video at 30 fps, with MPEG-4 and H.264 compression. No external mic input, limiting audio quality. Basic stabilization applies.

• Sony A55: Full HD 1080p at 60 fps, AVCHD recording, and external mic input allow higher production value. Optical stabilization complements video use.

Battery Life and Storage

Long shooting days require dependable battery stamina and flexible storage.

The Sony’s almost double battery life means fewer interruptions in the field, and broader storage format compatibility offers more flexibility.

Connectivity and Extras

Connectivity can impact your workflow and sharing convenience.

• Olympus SZ-12: No wireless or Bluetooth. USB 2.0 and HDMI available.

• Sony A55: Limited wireless with built-in GPS and Eye-Fi card support for transfer, helpful for geo-tagging and remote operations. HDMI and USB 2.0 included; lacks Bluetooth.

Price and Value Analysis

While the Sony demands a steeper investment, its technical superiority and versatility earn its premium. The Olympus appeals as a budget-friendly point-and-shoot with impressive zoom but limited expansion.

Summary of Strengths and Weaknesses

Who Should Choose Which?

• Choose the Olympus SZ-12 if:

  • You want an ultra-compact, affordable camera with huge zoom reach for casual travel photography.
  • Prioritize simplicity and lightweight design over image quality and manual control.
  • Mostly shoot daylight scenes, family snapshots, or landscapes without insisting on pro-level detail.

• Choose the Sony A55 if:

  • You’re stepping into advanced photography and require flexibility across genres including portrait, sports, and low-light work.
  • You value interchangeable lenses, RAW shooting, and manual controls to hone your craft.
  • Willing to trade size and cost for significantly better image quality, speed, and versatility.
  • Interested also in superior video capabilities with external audio inputs.

Visual Sample Comparison

Here are real-world images captured side by side illustrating the resolution, detail, and color differences:

Olympus SZ 12 front Olympus SZ 12 screen back Sony A55 front Sony A55 screen back

Performance Ratings at a Glance

Aggregating lab tests and practical shooting experiences:

Specialty Genre Scores Highlight

How each camera scores in various photography types:

Final Thoughts from a Veteran Tester

After extensive comparative testing under diverse conditions, the Sony SLT-A55 emerges as the better all-around camera for serious photography enthusiasts. Its sensor, autofocus, and ergonomics deliver significantly higher-quality images and more creative flexibility. I found it especially compelling in challenging light, dynamic sports, and portrait work where the Olympus SZ-12 simply can’t keep pace.

That said, the Olympus SZ-12 deserves consideration for newcomers or travelers desiring a versatile superzoom without the learning curve or bulk of a DSLR. Its simplicity and portability come at the cost of image quality and advanced controls.

Ultimately, your choice hinges on how deep you want to invest in your photography journey and which compromises you’re willing to accept. Both cameras have their place, but from a professional perspective, the Sony A55 offers a foundation with more long-term value.

If you want to explore extending your kit beyond these cameras, consider how future lens options and accessory compatibility will serve your growth as a photographer. The Sony Alpha ecosystem remains vibrant, while Olympus’s fixed-lens model limits expansion.

Happy shooting! And as always, be sure you’re buying the best gear for your style - because the best camera is one you enjoy using and inspires you to create.