• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Olympus SZ-12 advantages over Panasonic GH5 II

  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    39 mm vs 87 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    216g vs 727g
    Lighter weight

Panasonic GH5 II advantages over Olympus SZ-12

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 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
    ~ 3.34 vs 1.44 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    5K vs 720p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 410 vs 220 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1840k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    20.3 vs 14.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.0 fps vs 0.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    108 vs 18 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/1700 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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

  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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

User reviews

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Buy the Panasonic GH5 II

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Olympus SZ-30MR

Olympus SZ-12
Olympus SZ-30MR
  • $128
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bulb shutter
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
Panasonic GH5 II
Olympus SZ-30MR
  • $1298
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Internal flash
  • Thinner

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
Panasonic GH5 II
Pentax VS20
  • $1298
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $106
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Internal flash
  • Thinner

Compared to Olympus SZ-31MR

Olympus SZ-12
Olympus SZ-31MR
  • $128
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bulb shutter
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
Panasonic GH5 II
Olympus SZ-31MR
  • $1298
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Internal flash

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
Panasonic GH5 II
Olympus SZ-16
  • $1298
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Internal flash

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
Panasonic GH5 II
Olympus SZ-15
  • $1298
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Internal flash
  • Thinner
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