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Olympus SZ-12

Olympus SZ-12
Olympus SZ-12Olympus SZ-12Olympus SZ-12Olympus SZ-12Olympus SZ-12Olympus SZ-12Olympus SZ-12Olympus SZ-12Olympus SZ-12Olympus SZ-12
alaScore 83

210 reviews

Apr, 2024

alaTest has collected and analyzed 210 reviews of Olympus SZ-12. The average rating for this product is 4.1/5, compared to an average rating of 4.3/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras for all reviews. Reviewers are impressed by the price and image quality. The portability and zoom also get good comments. Opinions are divided on the energy efficiency, and there are some less positive opinions about the memory and viewfinder.

usability, zoom, portability, image quality, price

reliability, low-light, shutter, viewfinder, memory

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Digital Compact Cameras the Olympus SZ-12 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 83/100 = Very good quality.

See all Olympus Digital Cameras

Review analysis

(Based on 210 reviews)

Expert Reviews  

User Reviews  

Review Ratings

  (56% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews   (22% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews   (8% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews   (3% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews   (12% of reviews)
Show all 1 star reviews

Features

usability
  Show positive (85%)Show negative (15%)(Show all)
zoom
  Show positive (94%)Show negative (6%)(Show all)
portability
  Show positive (92%)Show negative (8%)(Show all)
image quality
  Show positive (63%)Show negative (37%)(Show all)
price
  Show positive (85%)Show negative (15%)(Show all)
performance
  Show positive (72%)Show negative (28%)(Show all)
size
  Show positive (94%)Show negative (6%)(Show all)
design
  Show positive (88%)Show negative (12%)(Show all)
battery
  Show positive (60%)Show negative (40%)(Show all)
lens
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
screen
  Show positive (93%)Show negative (7%)(Show all)
stabilizer
  Show positive (82%)Show negative (18%)(Show all)
flash
  Show positive (82%)Show negative (18%)(Show all)
reliability
  Show positive (33%)Show negative (67%)(Show all)
low-light
  Show positive (44%)Show negative (56%)(Show all)
durability
  Show positive (75%)Show negative (25%)(Show all)
color
  Show positive (83%)Show negative (17%)(Show all)
shutter
  Show positive (40%)Show negative (60%)(Show all)
focus
  Show positive (60%)Show negative (40%)(Show all)
storage
  Show positive (75%)Show negative (25%)(Show all)
viewfinder
  None yetShow negative (100%)(Show all)
energy
  Show positive (50%)Show negative (50%)(Show all)
sensor
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
memory
  None yetShow negative (100%)(Show all)
More features

Showing 189 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews

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Showing 1 - 107 of 189 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (1)

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Olympus SZ-12

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 97 user reviews of Olympus SZ-12 from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 4.2/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.2/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras on Amazon.com. People are impressed by the image quality and price. The zoom and portability also get good feedback, whereas many are critical about the viewfinder and reliability. Reviews are divided on the low light performance.

usability, portability, zoom, price, image quality

reliability, viewfinder

88% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Expert review by : Jim Fisher (pcmag.com)

Olympus SZ-12

 

At just under $200, the compact Olympus SZ-12 is an excellent value. Its 24x lens can capture wide landscapes and distant objects, but it doesn't perform as quickly or as well in low light as more-expensive superzooms.

Inexpensive. Long zoom range. Compact design. Useful Help mode.

Plastic body. So-so high ISO performance. Unimpressive shot to shot time. Video captured limited to 720p.

Performance and Conclusions Not the fastest camera on the block, but not the slowest one either, the SZ-12 starts up and grabs a shot in 1.8 seconds, takes a full resolution photo every 1.1 seconds, and records a 0.2 second shutter lag. The camera can...

Apr, 2012
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Expert review by : Eric Butterfield (steves-digicams.com)

Olympus SZ-12 Review

 

The lens on this compact super-zoom offers a lot of power, though the camera's autofocus is sometimes sluggish, and photos taken in low light tend to come out blurry.That said, the SZ-12 has a lot to offer for under $200. Read more in our Full Conclusion.

Powerful 24x (25mm - 600mm) zoom lens ; Dedicated movie record button ; Accurate exposures ; Records high-definition video ; Zoom operates during video recording ; Fast high-speed burst modes ; Controls are small but well placed ; Sensor-shift...

Auto focus could be better ; Photos in low light tend to be blurry ; Thumb wheel navigation can be clumsy ; Slow burst mode at full resolution

The lens on this compact super-zoom offers a lot of power, though the camera's autofocus is sometimes sluggish, and photos taken in low light tend to come out blurry.That said, the SZ-12 has a lot to offer for under $200. Read more in our

Jul, 2012
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Consumer review (newegg.com)

Almost 2 Good 2 Be True

 

Where do I start? If you don't want to learn all the mumbo jumbo set it to IA (intelligent auto) and it figures out how to make it work PERIOD. Even in medium light it does well with no flash. It never flashes unless you click the flash button and the...

The dual stabilizing lenses can be heard on video when recording in silence. That feature can be shut off but I'd rather have a steady picture than worry about a sound you only hear in a silent room ; Flash must be opened or it will just take good pics...

Jul, 2013
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Consumer review (beachcamera.com)

Olympus SZ-12

 

Use mostly for family and travel photos. Great zoom range. For the money, does a great job.

Easy To Use ; Features For The Price ; Good Image Quality ; Good Image Stabilization ; Great Zoom ; Small / Compact

No Viewfinder

Dec, 2013
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Consumer review (buydig.com)

Olympus SZ-12

 

Use mostly for family and travel photos. Great zoom range. For the money, does a great job.

Easy To Use ; Features For The Price ; Good Image Quality ; Good Image Stabilization ; Great Zoom ; Small / Compact

No Viewfinder

Dec, 2013
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Consumer review (toysrus.com)

Nice product

 

Since we are reviewing the product and not Toys r Us delivery service, ahem... This is a nice little camera. Perfect for easy picture taking. I'm still playing around with it trying to figure out all of its functions and I like them all so far. I like...

Easy To Use ; Good Image Quality ; Great Zoom ; Nice Body Color

NOISY

Jan, 2013
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Consumer review (buydig.com)

A lot for the money

 

So far so good. Has a few features I will probably will never use.

Jan, 2013
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Consumer review (buydig.com)

Great Camera

 

We were looking for a camera we could grab on the run. This camera is small but don't be fooled by that. It takes really great photos. I did have to tone the flash down a bit, but overall a really nice camera. I have a friend who is a professional...

Jan, 2013
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Consumer review (buydig.com)

Mjssing items

 

This was bought as a Black Friday special that was supposed to include a 4G SD Card and a case neither of which was included. After E-Mailing Beach Camera about not receiving these items they asked if I had a screen capture image to show them this...

Jan, 2013
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Consumer review (beachcamera.com)

Mjssing items

 

This was bought as a Black Friday special that was supposed to include a 4G SD Card and a case neither of which was included. After E-Mailing Beach Camera about not receiving these items they asked if I had a screen capture image to show them this...

Jan, 2013
Read the full review
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Price comparison for Olympus SZ-12

No prices for this product

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