• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus SZ-12 advantages over Panasonic ZS70

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.44 vs 1.19 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Lighter weight
    216g vs 322g
    Lighter weight
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Panasonic ZS70 advantages over Olympus SZ-12

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 720p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • More telephoto lens reach
    720 mm vs 600 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 380 vs 220 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Newer
    8 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    1040k 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
    20.3 vs 14.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 0.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (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
    6400 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
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • 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

Panasonic ZS70
Pentax VS20
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $106
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Lighter weight

Compare Panasonic ZS70 vs Pentax VS20

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

Panasonic ZS70
Olympus SZ-16
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Lighter weight

Compare Panasonic ZS70 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

Panasonic ZS70
Olympus SZ-15
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Lighter weight

Compare Panasonic ZS70 vs Olympus SZ-15

Compared to Canon SX730 HS

Olympus SZ-12
Canon SX730 HS
  • $128
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Lighter weight
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Olympus SZ-12 vs Canon SX730 HS

Panasonic ZS70
Canon SX730 HS
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • NFC
  • Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Panasonic ZS70 vs Canon SX730 HS

Compared to Panasonic ZS80

Olympus SZ-12
Panasonic ZS80
  • $128
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Lighter weight
  • $398
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS80

Panasonic ZS70
Panasonic ZS80
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $398
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Shoots 24p video

Compare Panasonic ZS70 vs Panasonic ZS80

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