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Olympus XZ-1 vs Panasonic FS12

Portability
88
Imaging
35
Features
51
Overall
41
Olympus XZ-1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26

Olympus XZ-1 vs Panasonic FS12 Key Specs

Olympus XZ-1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
  • 275g - 111 x 65 x 42mm
  • Announced January 2011
Panasonic FS12
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Push 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 XZ-1 vs Panasonic FS12 Overview

Let's look closer at the Olympus XZ-1 versus Panasonic FS12, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Ultracompact by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the XZ-1 (10MP) and the FS12 (12MP) is very similar but the XZ-1 (1/1.63") and FS12 (1/2.3") possess different sensor measurements.

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The XZ-1 was announced 22 months after the FS12 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus XZ-1 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the XZ-1 grades against the FS12 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus XZ-1 over the Panasonic FS12

 XZ-1 FS12 
ReleasedJanuary 2011April 2009Newer by 22 months
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution614k230kCrisper display (+384k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Olympus XZ-1

 FS12 XZ-1 

Common features in the Olympus XZ-1 and Panasonic FS12

 XZ-1 FS12 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Olympus XZ-1 vs Panasonic FS12 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you will want to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus XZ-1 enjoys exterior measurements of 111mm x 65mm x 42mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7") along with a weight of 275 grams (0.61 lbs) while the Panasonic FS12 has proportions of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus XZ-1 versus Panasonic FS12 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the XZ-1 vs the FS12.

Olympus XZ-1 vs Panasonic FS12 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the XZ-1 and FS12 is 88 and 95 respectively.

Olympus XZ-1 vs Panasonic FS12 top view buttons comparison

Olympus XZ-1 vs Panasonic FS12 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to visualize the gap between sensor dimensions just by reading specifications. The image here should give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the XZ-1 and FS12.

To sum up, both of the cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The XZ-1 having a larger sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field easier and the Panasonic FS12 will deliver extra detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images far more aggressively. The fresher XZ-1 provides a benefit in sensor tech.

Olympus XZ-1 vs Panasonic FS12 sensor size comparison

Olympus XZ-1 vs Panasonic FS12 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus XZ-1 vs Panasonic FS12 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus XZ-1 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic FS12 Portrait photography advice
45
manual focus
features face detect focus
exports RAW formats
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.63")
21
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
low resolution (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus XZ-1 Street photography information
Panasonic FS12 Street photography information
59
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
exports RAW formats
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/1.63")
more heavy than competition in class (275 grams)
57
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus XZ-1
Sports photography with Panasonic FS12
38
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features tracking focus
great battery power (320 CIPA)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.63")
lacks phase detect auto focus
25
image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus XZ-1 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic FS12 as a Travel photography camera
62
great battery power (320 shots)
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
no Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition in class (275g)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse function
low resolution (12 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (31mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus XZ-1 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic FS12 as a Landscape photography camera
54
manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
exports RAW formats
great battery power (320 per charge)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.63")
no Timelapse mode
28
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (31mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
low resolution (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus XZ-1 Vlogging advice
Panasonic FS12 Vlogging advice
31
relatively wide (28mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detect focus
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no microphone jack
more heavy than competition in class (275g)
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (31mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly display
low video resolution (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have microphone support
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Olympus XZ-1 vs Panasonic FS12 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus XZ-1 and Panasonic FS12
 Olympus XZ-1Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus XZ-1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12
Category Small Sensor Compact Ultracompact
Announced 2011-01-26 2009-04-17
Physical type Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic V -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/1.63" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 8.07 x 5.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 44.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3664 x 2752 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 1600
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 31-124mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/1.8-2.5 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 4.5 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 614 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech OLED -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 8.60 m (ISO 800) 6.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
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) 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 275 grams (0.61 pounds) 129 grams (0.28 pounds)
Dimensions 111 x 65 x 42mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7") 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 34 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 18.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 not tested
DXO Low light rating 117 not tested
Other
Battery life 320 photographs -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID Li-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $567 $228