• APS-C 323.4mm2
  • 12.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon T3 advantages over Olympus SZ-12

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.15 vs 1.44 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 700 vs 220 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    2.9 fps vs 0.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/1700 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus SZ-12 advantages over Canon T3

  • Less expensive
    $200 vs $600 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Thinner
    39 mm vs 77 mm
    Thinner
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Kit with 18-55mm lens
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Buy the Olympus SZ-12

Review Excerpt

  • Well-considered ergonomics and control layout; Solid build; Good image quality; Great battery life; High-def movie capture.

  • Frame rate and burst depth not the best, especially for raw; Weak flash for an SLR; No sensor cleaning function; No spot metering.

  • Read our Canon T3 Full Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSLR-A230

Canon T3
Sony DSLR-A230
  • $199
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon T3 vs Sony DSLR-A230

Olympus SZ-12
Sony DSLR-A230
  • $128
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony DSLR-A230

Compared to Nikon D3100

Canon T3
Nikon D3100
  • $199
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon T3 vs Nikon D3100

Olympus SZ-12
Nikon D3100
  • $128
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus SZ-12 vs Nikon D3100

Compared to Sony A37

Canon T3
Sony A37
  • $199
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon T3 vs Sony A37

Olympus SZ-12
Sony A37
  • $128
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony A37

Compared to Olympus SZ-16

Canon T3
Olympus SZ-16
  • $199
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon T3 vs Olympus SZ-16

Olympus SZ-12
Olympus SZ-16
  • $128
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bulb shutter
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Shoots 1080p video

Compare Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus SZ-16

Compared to Olympus SZ-15

Canon T3
Olympus SZ-15
  • $199
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon T3 vs Olympus SZ-15

Olympus SZ-12
Olympus SZ-15
  • $128
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer exposure
  • Bulb shutter
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Olympus SZ-12 vs Olympus SZ-15

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