• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 13.6 megapixels
  • 35.00mm - 105.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony DSC-W300 advantages over Olympus SZ-12

  • Larger sensor
    1/1.7 inch 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
    ~ 1.80 vs 1.44 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 300 vs 220 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Thinner
    26 mm vs 39 mm
    Thinner
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    1.9 fps vs 0.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 18 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    3200 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus SZ-12 advantages over Sony DSC-W300

  • Less expensive
    $200 vs $350 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • More telephoto lens reach
    600 mm vs 105 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Wider angle lens
    25 mm vs 35 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

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
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FX150

Sony DSC-W300
Panasonic DMC-FX150
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Manual focus
  • $400
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Shoots 24p video

Compare Sony DSC-W300 vs Panasonic DMC-FX150

Olympus SZ-12
Panasonic DMC-FX150
  • $128
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $400
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic DMC-FX150

Compared to Fujifilm F60fd

Sony DSC-W300
Fujifilm F60fd
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $300
  • 1/1.6 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Sony DSC-W300 vs Fujifilm F60fd

Olympus SZ-12
Fujifilm F60fd
  • $128
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $300
  • 1/1.6 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus SZ-12 vs Fujifilm F60fd

Compared to Canon SD990 IS

Sony DSC-W300
Canon SD990 IS
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Longer exposure
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $400
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Fast startup
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Sony DSC-W300 vs Canon SD990 IS

Olympus SZ-12
Canon SD990 IS
  • $128
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $400
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus SZ-12 vs Canon SD990 IS

Compared to Olympus SZ-16

Sony DSC-W300
Olympus SZ-16
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Sony DSC-W300 vs 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

Compared to Olympus SZ-15

Sony DSC-W300
Olympus SZ-15
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Sony DSC-W300 vs 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

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