• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon SD960 IS advantages over Olympus SZ-12

  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 39 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    162g vs 216g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • 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 Canon SD960 IS

  • Less expensive
    $200 vs $330 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • More telephoto lens reach
    600 mm vs 112 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    14.0 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • 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

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
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

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
  • 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-FX48S

Canon SD960 IS
Panasonic DMC-FX48S
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus
  • HDMI out
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Wider angle lens
Olympus SZ-12
Panasonic DMC-FX48S
  • $128
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Thinner

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FX580S

Canon SD960 IS
Panasonic DMC-FX580S
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus
  • $303
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Wider angle lens
Olympus SZ-12
Panasonic DMC-FX580S
  • $128
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $303
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Thinner

Compared to Canon SD980 IS

Canon SD960 IS
Canon SD980 IS
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Wider angle lens
Olympus SZ-12
Canon SD980 IS
  • $128
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight

Compared to Olympus SZ-16

Canon SD960 IS
Olympus SZ-16
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Manual focus
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
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

Compared to Olympus SZ-15

Canon SD960 IS
Olympus SZ-15
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Manual focus
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
Olympus SZ-12
Olympus SZ-15
  • $128
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer exposure
  • Bulb shutter
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
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