Olympus SZ-12: Coat-pocket friendly ultrazoom debuts
posted Sunday, January 15, 2012 at 4:23 AM EDT
Olympus announced no less than eleven camera models for this year's Consumer Electronics Show, and we kick off the list with the Olympus SZ-12.
Perhaps the most interesting of the five models that are currently slated to arrive in the US market this spring, the Olympus SZ-12 boasts a more powerful zoom lens than the SP-620UZ in a smaller body, providing 35mm-equivalent focal lengths from 25 to 600mm. Of course, there's a compromise to be made, and that comes in the maximum aperture, which varies from f/3.0 at wide angle to a rather dim f/6.9 at telephoto. Other features include mechanical image stabilization, a three-inch LCD panel, 720p video capture, and support for Eye-Fi wifi-capable flash cards.
More on this model--which would appear to be identical to the simultaneously-announced Olympus SZ-14 in Europe--can be found in our Olympus SZ-12 preview. In the US market, the SZ-12 is priced at about US$200, and ships from March. In Europe, the SZ-14 costs approximately €230 and ships from January 2012.
| Olympus SZ-12 | |
 |
|
| General | |
| Camera Type | Mid-Sized |
| Manufacturer | Olympus |
| Model Number |
North America: SZ-12 Europe: SZ-14 |
| Dimensions |
4.2 x 2.7 x 1.6 in. (107 x 69 x 40 mm) |
| Weight | 7.6 oz (216 g) |
| Planned Price | $200 |
| Planned Availability | March 2012 |
| Image Capture | |
| Sensor Type |
CCD 1/2.3" (approx. 0.43 in. diagonal) 14.50 megapixels (total) 14.00 megapixels (effective) |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9, 4:3 |
| Image Dimensions |
4288 x 3216 (13.8 megapixels) 4288 x 2416 (10.4 megapixels) 3264 x 2448 (8.0 megapixels) 2560 x 1920 (4.9 megapixels) 2048 x 1536 (3.1 megapixels) 1920 x 1080 (2.1 megapixels) 1600 x 1200 (1.9 megapixels) 1280 x 960 (1.2 megapixels) 640 x 480 (0.3 megapixels) |
| Capture Speed | Continuous: 0.9 frames per second for 18 frames |
| Image Preview / Review | |
| Viewfinder | No |
| LCD |
3.0 in. diagonal 460,000 dots (approx. 153,000 pixels) |
| Playback Zoom | 10.0x max |
| Lens | |
| Lens Type |
Olympus lens; 11 Lenses in 10 Groups, 3/6 Aspherical 24x optical zoom |
| Image Stabilization | Yes |
| Focal Length |
4.5 - 108.0mm (actual) 25 - 600mm (35mm equivalent) |
| Aperture Range | f/3.0 or 8.7 (wide) / f/6.9 or 20 (tele) |
| Focusing System |
CCD Contrast Detection; iESP Auto, Spot AF, Face Detection AF, AF Tracking Has AF assist lamp |
| Focusing Range |
Normal: 4" - 4,081" (10 cm - 9,999 cm) Macro: 1.2" - 4,081" (3 cm - 9,999 cm) |
| Exposure | |
| ISO Sensitivity | Auto, High Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 |
| Shutter Speed | 4 - 1/1700 second |
| Exposure Modes | Program |
| Metering Modes | Digital ESP Metering, Spot Metering |
| Exposure Compensation | +/- 2.0EV in 1/3EV increments |
| White Balance | Image Sensor - Auto, Daylight, Overcast, Tungsten, Fluorescent 1, One-touch |
| Internal Flash | Modes: Auto, Red-Eye Reduction, Fill-in, Off |
| Flash Exposure Compensation | +/- 0.0EV |
| Creative | |
| Scene Modes | Scene Modes [Portrait, Beauty, Landscape, Night Scene, Night + Portrait, Sport, Indoor, Candle, Self Portrait, Sunset, Fire Works, Cuisine, Documents, Beach & Snow, Pet (Cat), Pet (Dog)], Magic Filters [Pop Art, Pin Hole, Fish Eye, Drawing, Soft Focus, Punk, Sparkle, Water Color, Reflection, Miniature], In-Camera Panorama, PC Panorama, 3D Image Capture |
| Digital Zoom | Up to 4x |
| Self Timer | Yes, 2, 12, Pet auto-shutter seconds |
| Movie Format | MP4 (MPEG-4) with audio |
| Storage | |
| Recording Medium | SD/MMC including SDHC, SDXC, Built-in |
| File Format | JPEG, .MPO |
| Connectivity | |
| Video |
High definition: Yes (HDMI) Standard definition: Yes, NTSC / PAL switchable |
| Computer | USB 2.0 High Speed |
| Other | Multi-Terminal (USB Connector, Audio/Video Output), HDMI Type-D |
| Power | |
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion rechargeable |
| Battery Form Factor | Proprietary LI-50B |
| Product Bundle | |
| Software | OLYMPUS [ib] and Olympus Viewer 2 |
| Battery / Charger | 1 x Proprietary LI-50B Lithium-ion rechargeable battery and charger |
| Other | |
| Internal Microphone | Yes |
| Internal Speaker | Yes |
| Tripod Mount | Yes |
| Remote Control | Yes, Optional wired |
| Notes | Dual Image Stabilization, HD Video, Magic Art Filters, 3D Image Capture. Available in black, silver and red. |
Press Release
Track Your Subjects Near Or Far With New Ultra-sleek Olympus SZ-12 Long Zoom Camera
Super-Slim & Stylish 24x Optical Zoom Camera
Captures the Action Close Up and Personal
CENTER VALLEY, Pa., January 9, 2012 – Olympus today unveils the full-featured, slim and sleek SZ-12, a compact superzoom camera with a powerful 24x optical wide-angle zoom lens (25-600mm equivalent*) and two forms of image stabilization to help deliver the clearest results possible. Whether you're traveling, at a family function, or on the sideline of a sporting event, the new, powerful SZ-12 gives you the flexibility to zoom right in and shoot brilliant close-ups without sacrificing versatility and image quality.
With remarkable magnification power in combination with 14-megapixel resolution, the super-slim SZ-12 is packed with state-of-the-art Olympus technology that delivers excellent image quality. A new, retro-chic "smart grip" at the front of the camera combined with built-in Dual Image Stabilization, helps cut out blur caused by imperceptible camera shake, allowing you to zoom right in for expressive close-ups and vivid HD 720p video.
High-speed, seven-frames-per-second (7 fps) sequential shooting gives you the power to capture a dynamic series of images of fast-moving subjects. For more composed shooting, the Olympus SZ-12's Telephoto Macro captures all the rich detail of small subjects like flowers from inches away. The powerful zoom brings you up close to whimsical subjects like butterflies from a safe distance, so you don't scare them.
Ten Magic Art Filters power your creativity by adding a whole range of special effects to your images directly in the camera. The Olympus SZ-12 offers the new Reflection magic filter takes the image and duplicates it across a horizontal or vertical plane of symmetry creating powerful illusions.
Easily frame and review your images on the large, 3-inch LCD display (460,000 dots) and share them wirelessly throughout your social networks or on your computer via an optional Eye-Fi Card – or in all the glory of High-Definition using an optional HDMI cable on a big-screen HDTV.
* 35mm camera equivalent
U.S. Pricing and Availability
The Olympus SZ-12 will be available in March and ships with a Camera Strap, USB Cable, USB-AC Adapter (F-2AC), Lithium-Ion Battery (LI-50B), Audio/Video Cable, Quick Start Guide, Instruction Manual and OLYMPUS [ib] Software CD-ROM and a Warranty card.
Estimated Street Price: $199.99 (Available in silver, black and red)
For a complete list of specifications, visit the Olympus website: www.getolympus.com.
ABOUT OLYMPUS IMAGING AMERICA INC.
Olympus Imaging America Inc. is a precision technology leader, designing and delivering award-winning products for consumer and professional markets.
Olympus Imaging America Inc. works collaboratively with its customers and its ultimate parent company, Olympus Corporation, to develop breakthrough technologies with revolutionary product design and functionality that enhance people's lives every day. These include:
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Olympus Imaging America Inc. is responsible for sales in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. For more information, visit: www.olympusamerica.com.
*Specifications and design are subject to change without any notice or obligation on the part of the manufacturer. All trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective holder.
©2012 Olympus Imaging America Inc.
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