• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 23.00mm - 675.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus SZ-12 advantages over Nikon L820

  • Less expensive
    $200 vs $280 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Thinner
    39 mm vs 84 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Lighter weight
    216g vs 470g
    Lighter weight
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    18 vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Nikon L820 advantages over Olympus SZ-12

  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 540 vs 220 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More dots on screen
    921k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 14.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.0 fps vs 0.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/1700 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    3200 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • Manual focus
    Neither provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Pentax VS20

Olympus SZ-12
Pentax VS20
  • $128
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • HDMI out
  • $106
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax VS20

Nikon L820
Pentax VS20
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $106
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Thinner

Compare Nikon L820 vs Pentax VS20

Compared to Nikon L810

Olympus SZ-12
Nikon L810
  • $128
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $280
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More dots on screen

Compare Olympus SZ-12 vs Nikon L810

Nikon L820
Nikon L810
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $280
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out

Compare Nikon L820 vs Nikon L810

Compared to 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

Nikon L820
Olympus SZ-16
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More dots on screen
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Nikon L820 vs Olympus SZ-16

Compared to 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

Nikon L820
Olympus SZ-15
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More dots on screen
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Nikon L820 vs Olympus SZ-15

Compared to Fujifilm S8600

Olympus SZ-12
Fujifilm S8600
  • $128
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Olympus SZ-12 vs Fujifilm S8600

Nikon L820
Fujifilm S8600
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More dots on screen
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon L820 vs Fujifilm S8600

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