• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 14.8 megapixels
  • 28.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus SZ-12 advantages over Sigma DP1 Merrill

  • Less expensive
    $200 vs $799 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • More telephoto lens reach
    600 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 220 vs 97 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    39 mm vs 63 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Lighter weight
    216g vs 391g
    Lighter weight
  • Wider angle lens
    25 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    18 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sigma DP1 Merrill advantages over Olympus SZ-12

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.00 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
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • 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
    3.8 fps vs 0.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

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
  • 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
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Buy the Olympus SZ-12

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Buy the Sigma DP1 Merrill
Sigma DP1 Merrill

Review Excerpt

  • Exceptionally detailed and uniquely beautiful image quality at low ISOs; Fast, sharp 28mm-equivalent lens; Simple, straightforward controls match camera's simple, straightforward (street photography) goals.

  • Fixed-focal-length lens; Image quality deteriorates significantly at ISO 800 and above; Overall sluggish performer; Falls short when capturing JPEGs; Terrible VGA-only video quality; Very poor battery life; No built-in flash.

  • Read our Sigma DP1 Merrill Review

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

Sigma DP1 Merrill
Pentax VS20
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $106
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Pentax VS20

Compared to Leica X2

Olympus SZ-12
Leica X2
  • $128
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus SZ-12 vs Leica X2

Sigma DP1 Merrill
Leica X2
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More dots on screen
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Leica X2

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

Sigma DP1 Merrill
Olympus SZ-16
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sigma DP1 Merrill 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

Sigma DP1 Merrill
Olympus SZ-15
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Olympus SZ-15

Compared to Leica X-E (Typ 102)

Olympus SZ-12
Leica X-E (Typ 102)
  • $128
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1534
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus SZ-12 vs Leica X-E (Typ 102)

Sigma DP1 Merrill
Leica X-E (Typ 102)
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More dots on screen
  • $1534
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Internal flash

Compare Sigma DP1 Merrill vs Leica X-E (Typ 102)

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