• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Olympus SZ-12 advantages over Samsung NX3000

  • Less expensive
    $200 vs $529 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    18 vs 12 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Samsung NX3000 advantages over Olympus SZ-12

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.29 vs 1.44 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • 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
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 370 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
  • 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
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.2 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
    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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

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

Samsung NX3000
Pentax VS20
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $106
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Samsung NX3000 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

Samsung NX3000
Olympus SZ-16
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion

Compare Samsung NX3000 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

Samsung NX3000
Olympus SZ-15
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Samsung NX3000 vs Olympus SZ-15

Compared to Fujifilm X-M1

Olympus SZ-12
Fujifilm X-M1
  • $128
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $993
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Olympus SZ-12 vs Fujifilm X-M1

Samsung NX3000
Fujifilm X-M1
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $993
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compare Samsung NX3000 vs Fujifilm X-M1

Compared to Canon EOS M3

Olympus SZ-12
Canon EOS M3
  • $128
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Lighter weight
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Olympus SZ-12 vs Canon EOS M3

Samsung NX3000
Canon EOS M3
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen

Compare Samsung NX3000 vs Canon EOS M3

Compare Other Cameras?