Canon SX120 IS vs Olympus SZ-30MR
87 Imaging
33 Features
28 Overall
31


89 Imaging
39 Features
39 Overall
39
Canon SX120 IS vs Olympus SZ-30MR Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 36-360mm (F2.8-4.3) lens
- 285g - 111 x 71 x 45mm
- Released August 2009
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
- 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
- Announced March 2011

Canon SX120 IS vs Olympus SZ-30MR Overview
Its time to examine more in depth at the Canon SX120 IS vs Olympus SZ-30MR, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Canon and Olympus. There is a crucial difference among the image resolutions of the SX120 IS (10MP) and SZ-30MR (16MP) and the SX120 IS (1/2.5") and SZ-30MR (1/2.3") possess different sensor sizes.

The SX120 IS was introduced 18 months prior to the SZ-30MR making the cameras a generation away from each other. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before getting in to a full comparison, below is a short overview of how the SX120 IS grades against the SZ-30MR in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon SX120 IS vs Olympus SZ-30MR Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SX120 IS and Olympus SZ-30MR. The whole galleries are viewable at Canon SX120 IS Gallery and Olympus SZ-30MR Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX120 IS over the Olympus SZ-30MR
SX120 IS | SZ-30MR | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial exact focus |
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-30MR over the Canon SX120 IS
SZ-30MR | SX120 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | March 2011 | ![]() | August 2009 | Newer by 18 months |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SX120 IS and Olympus SZ-30MR
SX120 IS | SZ-30MR | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical display dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither features Touch friendly display |
Canon SX120 IS vs Olympus SZ-30MR Physical Comparison
If you are aiming to travel with your camera often, you'll need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon SX120 IS enjoys outside dimensions of 111mm x 71mm x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") along with a weight of 285 grams (0.63 lbs) and the Olympus SZ-30MR has proportions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") having a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs).
Analyze the Canon SX120 IS vs Olympus SZ-30MR in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the SX120 IS compared to the SZ-30MR.

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the SX120 IS and SZ-30MR is 87 and 89 respectively.

Canon SX120 IS vs Olympus SZ-30MR Sensor Comparison
Often, it is very difficult to picture the difference in sensor dimensions just by viewing a spec sheet. The pic below will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SX120 IS and SZ-30MR.
Clearly, both of those cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The SX120 IS with its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field harder and the Olympus SZ-30MR will result in extra detail using its extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics much more aggressively. The more aged SX120 IS will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SX120 IS vs Olympus SZ-30MR Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Olympus SZ-30MR Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX120 IS | Olympus SZ-30MR | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Canon | Olympus |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX120 IS | Olympus SZ-30MR |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Released | 2009-08-19 | 2011-03-02 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Digic 4 | TruePic III+ |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.5" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 5.744 x 4.308mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 24.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10MP | 16MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 3:2 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4608 x 3456 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 36-360mm (10.0x) | 25-600mm (24.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/2.8-4.3 | f/3.0-6.9 |
Macro focusing range | 1cm | 1cm |
Crop factor | 6.3 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Screen resolution | 230k dots | 460k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen technology | - | TFT Hypercrystal III Color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15 seconds | 4 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2500 seconds | 1/1700 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 1.0 frames/s | 2.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.00 m | 4.00 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 1/500 seconds | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 160 x 120 (15 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps)1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) |
Max video resolution | 640x480 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 285 grams (0.63 lb) | 226 grams (0.50 lb) |
Dimensions | 111 x 71 x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") | 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 220 shots |
Battery type | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | 2 x AA | LI-50B |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | One | One |
Launch price | $249 | $279 |