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Nikon P520 vs Olympus SZ-30MR

Portability
66
Imaging
42
Features
51
Overall
45
Nikon Coolpix P520 front
 
Olympus SZ-30MR front
Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
39
Overall
39

Nikon P520 vs Olympus SZ-30MR Key Specs

Nikon P520
(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
Olympus SZ-30MR
(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
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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").

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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.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon P520 over the Olympus SZ-30MR

 P520 SZ-30MR 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013March 2011More modern by 24 months
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution921k460kClearer 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Nikon P520 vs Olympus SZ-30MR size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Nikon P520 vs Olympus SZ-30MR Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon P520 vs Olympus SZ-30MR Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon P520
Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-30MR
41
manual focus
good MP (18MP)
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
34
decent MP (16MP)
supports face detect focus
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon P520 as a Street photography camera
Olympus SZ-30MR as a Street photography camera
51
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
more heavy than competition in class (550g)
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon P520
Sports photography with Olympus SZ-30MR
46
great zoom range (24-1000mm 41.7 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (18 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
low battery power (200 shots)
lack of phase detect auto focus
41
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16MP)
supports tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (220 shots)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon P520 Travel photography factors
Olympus SZ-30MR Travel photography factors
57
good MP (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
quite wide (24mm)
great zoom (1000mm)
missing Timelapse mode
low battery power (200 CIPA)
more heavy than competition in class (550 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
65
lighter than competition in class (226g)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
terrible battery life (220 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon P520 as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus SZ-30MR as a Landscape photography camera
46
manual focus
quite wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3.2")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (18MP)
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
low battery power (200 shots)
missing Timelapse mode
41
really wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
terrible battery life (220 shots)
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon P520 Vlogging details
Olympus SZ-30MR Vlogging details
57
quite wide (24mm)
selfie friendly screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
missing external microphone socket
more heavy than competition in class (550g)
34
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (226g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of mic socket
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Nikon P520 vs Olympus SZ-30MR Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon P520 and Olympus SZ-30MR
 Nikon Coolpix P520Olympus 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