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Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FS12

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
50
Overall
44
Olympus SZ-15 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FS12 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-15
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-483mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 250g - 108 x 70 x 40mm
  • Announced June 2013
Panasonic FS12
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 31-124mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 129g - 97 x 55 x 22mm
  • Released April 2009
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Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FS12 Overview

In this article, we are looking at the Olympus SZ-15 versus Panasonic FS12, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Ultracompact by companies Olympus and Panasonic. There is a large difference among the image resolutions of the SZ-15 (16MP) and FS12 (12MP) but they possess the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SZ-15 was launched 4 years later than the FS12 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SZ-15 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before diving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a simple overview of how the SZ-15 scores versus the FS12 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-15 over the Panasonic FS12

 SZ-15 FS12 
ReleasedJune 2013April 2009Fresher by 51 months
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Olympus SZ-15

 FS12 SZ-15 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-15 and Panasonic FS12

 SZ-15 FS12 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FS12 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry your camera, you will have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-15 enjoys outside measurements of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FS12 has dimensions of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs).

Examine the Olympus SZ-15 versus Panasonic FS12 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you use at that moment. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the SZ-15 versus the FS12.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FS12 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-15 and FS12 is 88 and 95 respectively.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FS12 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FS12 Sensor Comparison

Often, its hard to picture the contrast in sensor sizing simply by looking through a spec sheet. The visual underneath will give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-15 and FS12.

Clearly, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You can expect to see the Olympus SZ-15 to provide you with extra detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop images far more aggressively. The more recent SZ-15 provides an advantage in sensor technology.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FS12 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FS12 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FS12 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-15
Portrait photography with Panasonic FS12
44
has manual focus
MP count decent (16MP)
provides face detect focus
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
21
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SZ-15
Street photography with Panasonic FS12
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (250 grams)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
57
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SZ-15
Sports photography with Panasonic FS12
53
amazing zoom range (23-483mm 21.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
25
image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Travel photography features
Panasonic FS12 Travel photography features
68
lighter than competition in class (250g)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (23mm)
very long reach (483mm)
missing Timelapse function
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.8)
51
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (31mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Landscape photography information
Panasonic FS12 Landscape photography information
49
has manual focus
reasonably wide (23mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
missing Timelapse function
28
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (31mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not available
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SZ-15
Vlogging with Panasonic FS12
34
reasonably wide (23mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (250 grams)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
missing microphone support
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (31mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have mic support
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Olympus SZ-15 vs Panasonic FS12 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-15 and Panasonic FS12
 Olympus SZ-15Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus SZ-15 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Announced 2013-06-21 2009-04-17
Physical type Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 1600
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 23-483mm (21.0x) 31-124mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focus distance 5cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.50 m 6.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288) 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video file format AVI MPEG4, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 250 grams (0.55 pounds) 129 grams (0.28 pounds)
Dimensions 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 model SLB-10A -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Launch pricing $200 $228