Nikon P520 vs Olympus SZ-30MR
66 Imaging
42 Features
51 Overall
45


89 Imaging
39 Features
39 Overall
39
Nikon P520 vs Olympus SZ-30MR Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-1000mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
- 550g - 125 x 84 x 102mm
- Released January 2013
- Replaced the Nikon P510
- Newer Model is Nikon P530
(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

Nikon P520 vs Olympus SZ-30MR Overview
On this page, we are analyzing the Nikon P520 and Olympus SZ-30MR, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Nikon and Olympus. The sensor resolution of the P520 (18MP) and the SZ-30MR (16MP) is very similar and both cameras offer the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The P520 was announced 24 months after the SZ-30MR making them a generation away from each other. Both cameras have different body design with the Nikon P520 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Olympus SZ-30MR being a Compact camera.
Before we go into a complete comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the P520 grades versus the SZ-30MR when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Nikon P520 vs Olympus SZ-30MR Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon Coolpix P520 and Olympus SZ-30MR. The whole galleries are viewable at Nikon P520 Gallery and Olympus SZ-30MR Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon P520 over the Olympus SZ-30MR
P520 | SZ-30MR | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | January 2013 | ![]() | March 2011 | More modern by 24 months |
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focus | ||
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Display dimensions | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Larger display (+0.2") |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 460k | Clearer display (+461k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-30MR over the Nikon P520
SZ-30MR | P520 |
---|
Common features in the Nikon P520 and Olympus SZ-30MR
P520 | SZ-30MR | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Touch display | ![]() | Neither provides Touch display |
Nikon P520 vs Olympus SZ-30MR Physical Comparison
When you are aiming to carry around your camera, you need to factor its weight and volume. The Nikon P520 provides exterior dimensions of 125mm x 84mm x 102mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.0") and a weight of 550 grams (1.21 lbs) while the Olympus SZ-30MR has sizing of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") along with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs).
Compare the Nikon P520 and Olympus SZ-30MR in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are using at that moment. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the P520 vs the SZ-30MR.

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the P520 and SZ-30MR is 66 and 89 respectively.

Nikon P520 vs Olympus SZ-30MR Sensor Comparison
Usually, its tough to see the contrast between sensor sizes merely by going over technical specs. The pic below will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the P520 and SZ-30MR.
As you can tell, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Nikon P520 to deliver more detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop images a bit more aggressively. The newer P520 is going to have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Nikon P520 vs Olympus SZ-30MR Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon P520 vs Olympus SZ-30MR Specifications
Nikon Coolpix P520 | Olympus SZ-30MR | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Nikon | Olympus |
Model | Nikon Coolpix P520 | Olympus SZ-30MR |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Released | 2013-01-29 | 2011-03-02 |
Physical type | SLR-like (bridge) | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | - | TruePic III+ |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.16 x 4.62mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.5mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 18 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4896 x 3672 | 4608 x 3456 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | - |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 24-1000mm (41.7x) | 25-600mm (24.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.0-5.9 | f/3.0-6.9 |
Macro focus range | 1cm | 1cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3.2 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 921k dots | 460k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Screen technology | TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating | TFT Hypercrystal III Color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 8 seconds | 4 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/1700 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 7.0fps | 2.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | - | 4.00 m |
Flash modes | - | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps)1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | - | MPEG-4 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Optional | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | none | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | BuiltIn | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 550g (1.21 lbs) | 226g (0.50 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 125 x 84 x 102mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.0") | 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 200 images | 220 images |
Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | EN-EL5 | LI-50B |
Self timer | - | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at release | $380 | $279 |