Olympus E-30 vs Olympus SZ-30MR: A Detailed Comparison for Photographers of All Levels

Choosing the right camera is always nuanced, especially when comparing two distinctly different Olympus models: the advanced DSLR Olympus E-30 released in 2009, and the small sensor superzoom compact Olympus SZ-30MR introduced in 2011. Both embody Olympus’s imaging heritage yet cater to divergent photography philosophies and shooting demands.

Drawing on years of hands-on experience testing Olympus cameras and hundreds of hours shooting across genres, I’ll guide you through a thorough, practical comparison covering everything from sensor technology and autofocus to ergonomics, real-world shooting, and even video capabilities. We’ll explore where each camera shines and where its compromises lie - empowering you to make a well-informed choice for your photography pursuits.

Let’s dive in.

Form, Feel, and Handling: Size Does Matter

First impressions count, and the E-30 and SZ-30MR occupy opposite ends of size and handling. The E-30, a mid-size DSLR, signals readiness for serious photography with its robust build and thoughtful control layout. By contrast, the SZ-30MR is a compact pocket-friendly unit designed for grab-and-go convenience.

The E-30’s dimensions (142x108x75mm) and weight (695g) place it comfortably in the hands. The magnesium alloy chassis yields a reassuring heft and rigidity - not bulky, but substantial enough to reassure professionals shooting over prolonged sessions. Its fully articulating 2.7-inch HyperCrystal II LCD increases compositional flexibility, particularly useful in macro or awkward angles. Meanwhile, the ergonomic grip contours and strategically placed buttons allow rapid mode changes without removing the eye from the viewfinder.

Turning to the SZ-30MR, you’re looking at a palmable 106x69x40mm size and only 226g weight - genuinely pocketable for day trips or casual street shooting. It sports a larger 3-inch TFT HyperCrystal III LCD fixed screen with higher resolution (460k dots), an appealing upgrade that helps framing and reviewing images despite lacking an electronic or optical viewfinder. However, the compact form factor means the shell is primarily plastic and less sturdy, and the smaller body translates to fewer physical controls. For users who value concealment and portability over tactile feedback, it’s a sensible design.

The E-30 boasts a top LCD screen for quick exposure reading and intuitive control, a luxury absent on the SZ-30MR. The DSLR’s dedicated dials and buttons contrast sharply against the compact’s menu-driven touchpoints and fewer physical buttons, requiring more reliance on on-screen navigation.

In practice, the E-30 feels tailored for workflow-intensive shooting, where adjusting ISO, exposure, drive mode, or white balance swiftly is critical. The SZ-30MR prioritizes simplicity, appealing to travelers or casual snappers who want decent zoom reach without fuss.

Sensor and Image Quality: When Size and Tech Matter

Digging under the hood, the E-30 and SZ-30MR differ crucially in sensor size and imaging prowess, affecting everything from noise performance to dynamic range.

The E-30 packs a 12MP Four Thirds-sized CMOS sensor (17.3x13 mm) with a sensor area of around 225 mm². While not full-frame territory, this sensor offers a solid balance of image quality and portability in 2009’s context. Meanwhile, the SZ-30MR has a tiny 1/2.3-inch (6.17x4.55 mm) CMOS sensor, roughly 28 mm² in area, with a higher 16MP resolution crammed into a small chip.

Four Thirds sensors generally outperform 1/2.3” types in dynamic range, signal-to-noise ratio, and the ability to render cleaner images at elevated ISOs. The larger pixels on the E-30’s sensor capture more light per pixel, reducing noise and preserving color fidelity, essential for critical portrait and landscape work.

That said, the SZ-30MR’s sensor resolution edges higher, delivering images up to 4608x3456 pixels, while the E-30 maxes out at 4032x3024. But pixel count here is misleading; tiny sensor pixels increase noise and reduce tonal subtlety, especially in shadows or low-light. The E-30’s superior sensor size manifests in better color depth (DxOMark score 21.3) and dynamic range (10.4 EV), while the SZ-30MR was not DxO tested - likely to score significantly lower given its class.

In practical shooting, the E-30 produces richer gradations, more natural skin tones, and better shadow detail, especially evident shooting RAW. The SZ-30MR’s images serve well on web or print sizes up to 8x10 but fall short when pushing detail or cropped heavily.

Autofocus Systems: Precision Versus Convenience

Autofocus is the operational heartbeat of any camera system. The E-30 employs a hybrid AF system featuring 11 cross-type phase/contrast detection points. This setup enables relatively fast and accurate focusing for its era, including face detection on live view - helpful for portraits and casual subjects. It supports single, continuous, and tracking autofocus modes, although tracking performance lags behind modern standards given it does not offer animal or eye detection.

The SZ-30MR uses a purely contrast-detection AF system typical of compact cameras, with a continuously seeking mechanism best for static or slow scenes. It supports face detection and offers tracking focus but is limited in speed and accuracy, particularly in low light or fast action scenarios.

In field tests, the E-30’s phase-detection points allowed confident lock-on when shooting wildlife or sports in good light, while the SZ-30MR could struggle to keep up, often hunting for focus. The DZ’s manual focus capability adds an important tool for macro or creative shooting on the E-30, unavailable on the SZ-30MR.

Lens Systems: Adaptability Versus Built-In Convenience

The E-30 accepts a vast Micro Four Thirds lens range, including Olympus’s own optics and third-party options, currently offering over 45 lenses. The 2.1x focal length multiplier means a 50mm lens has an effective field of view similar to 105mm on full-frame, which usually suits portrait and telephoto needs but requires consideration for wide-angle compositions.

By contrast, the SZ-30MR sports a fixed 25-600 mm (equivalent) f/3.0-6.9 lens, an impressively broad zoom range packed into a compact body. The lens is convenient for everything from landscapes to telephoto shots without the need to carry separate lenses. However, variable aperture and optical compromises typical of superzooms limit its low-light and bokeh performance.

In practical photography, the E-30’s interchangeable lens system caters better to enthusiasts and professionals who demand sharp, fast lenses tailored to specific genres - be it portraits, macro, or wildlife telephoto. Conversely, the SZ-30MR is a one-lens-does-all solution, perfect for travel or casual shooting when changing lenses is inconvenient.

Viewfinder and LCD Screen: Composing Your Shot

Both cameras offer live view capabilities but differ markedly in viewfinder functionality.

The E-30 includes an optical pentaprism viewfinder with approximately 98% frame coverage and 0.56x magnification, delivering bright, clear, and lag-free framing – invaluable under bright sunlight or rapid action shooting. The SZ-30MR does not provide any viewfinder, compelling users to frame solely on its fixed LCD.

Both have articulated or tilting LCDs, with the E-30’s 2.7-inch HyperCrystal II articulated screen offering compositional flexibility at odd angles - beneficial for macro or low-angle shots. The SZ-30MR features a larger 3-inch fixed TFT screen with denser 460k dots delivering crisp previews, albeit fixed at rear-facing.

For professional or serious enthusiast use cases, the E-30’s finder and articulating screen offer superior shooting ergonomics, reducing eye strain and improving composition control. Casual shooters may find the SZ-30MR’s ample LCD sufficient, especially when handheld steady composition is less critical.

Burst and Shutter Performance: Action Ready?

The E-30 supports a respectable 5 frames per second (fps) continuous shooting, suitable for moderate sports, wildlife, and action photography where capturing fast moments helps secure the decisive shot. The shutter speed range of 60 seconds to 1/8000 sec lends creative exposure control.

The SZ-30MR offers a slower 2 fps burst mode and a max shutter speed of 1/1700 sec, less suited for fast-moving subjects or bright-light ultra-fast exposures.

While neither camera targets professional sports shooters, the E-30’s faster burst and shutter speed capabilities provide competitive advantages when freezing motion or shooting dynamic sequences.

Image Stabilization and Low-Light Handling

Both cameras incorporate sensor-based image stabilization, a staple of Olympus cameras.

The E-30’s stabilization, while limited to sensor shift technology without further specification, offers notable compensation for handheld shake, expanding handheld usability especially with longer focal lengths or low shutter speeds.

The SZ-30MR’s sensor-shift stabilization aids modestly but is constrained by the long focal range and small sensor, limiting low-light performance gains. Furthermore, the SZ-30MR’s noise performance past ISO 800 deteriorates excessively.

The E-30 attains a usable ISO range up to 3200 native with decent noise control, while the SZ-30MR’s small sensor inherently faces pronounced noise and dynamic range compression, severely limiting night or indoor shooting quality.

Video Capabilities: A Clear Winner?

Video was not a focus of the E-30, which lacks any video recording capability. For users prioritizing motion capture, this is a notable limitation.

In contrast, the SZ-30MR offers Full HD video recording at 1920x1080 30fps and lower resolutions with MPEG-4 codec. It also has HDMI output for external viewing.

However, the lack of manual exposure modes, no microphone input, and limited control means it’s quite basic video-wise, suited essentially for casual family or travel clips but not professional video.

Durability: Weather Sealing and Build Quality

Neither camera is weather sealed or shockproof per official specs. However, the E-30’s robust magnesium alloy body provides greater durability under mild environmental stress than the SZ-30MR’s plastic shell.

If you shoot outdoors regularly in challenging weather, neither offers professional-level protection but the E-30 is inherently more rugged - worth factoring depending on use case.

Battery, Storage, and Connectivity

The E-30 benefits from an impressive 750 shots per charge using its dedicated BLM-1 battery - well above average for DSLRs of its era, supporting demanding shooting sessions. Storage flexibility includes both Compact Flash and xD Picture Cards.

The SZ-30MR is limited to 220 shots per charge, a reflection of compact camera power budgets, and stores images on SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, more common and easier to find today.

Connectivity-wise, the E-30 misses wireless features and HDMI ports (USB 2.0 only), whereas the SZ-30MR offers Eye-Fi wireless card support and HDMI out - modest benefits in convenience and sharing.

Real-World Photography Use Cases

Let’s get concrete.

• Portraiture: The E-30’s larger sensor, superior lens options, and face detection autofocus produce natural skin tones, smooth bokeh, and pleasing subject separation. The SZ-30MR’s small sensor struggles to isolate subjects and render fine tonal transitions.

• Landscape: The E-30’s dynamic range and resolution excel at capturing detailed, wide-ranging scenes with less clipping. The SZ-30MR can capture wide angles but lacks the depth and tonal latitude, and its built-in lens is less sharp at wide-open apertures.

• Wildlife: E-30 autofocus speed and lens availability (long telephotos) make it the better choice for animals, outperforming the SZ-30MR’s slower contrast AF and limited zoom sharpness, despite the latter’s impressive 600mm reach.

• Sports: Faster FPS and shutter speeds tip the scales for the E-30; SZ-30MR’s slower performance limits capturing rapid sequences.

• Street: SZ-30MR wins on portability and discretion, its quiet operation and pocketable size facilitate candid shooting. The E-30 is bulkier and draws attention.

• Macro: The E-30 benefits from interchangeable macro lenses and manual focus control, yielding precise close-ups. The SZ-30MR offers a 1cm macro focus range but limited manual control.

• Night/Astro: The E-30’s larger Four Thirds sensor and ISO performance enable clean images in dark scenes. The SZ-30MR, limited by sensor size and stabilization, underperforms.

• Video: Only the SZ-30MR supports video, a basic tool for casual shoots.

• Travel: Weight and size favor the SZ-30MR for light packers; versatility and image quality argue for the E-30 for serious photo trips.

• Professional workflow: RAW support on E-30 and broad lens ecosystem favor professionals; SZ-30MR lacks RAW and manual exposure, limiting integration and control.

Sample Images and Image Quality Verdict

Side-by-side image examination reveals the practical disparities.

Olympus E 30 front Olympus E 30 screen back Olympus SZ 30MR front Olympus SZ 30MR screen back

The E-30’s RAW files respond gracefully to post-processing, preserving highlight detail and shadow textures with authentic colors. Portraits showcase buttery skin rendition and smooth bokeh. The SZ-30MR’s JPEGs, while sharp and detailed at base ISO, show compression artifacts and more noise when pushed.

Performance Ratings Across Metrics

Aggregating the key performance data:

The E-30 scores solid marks for image quality, control, and burst speed, while the SZ-30MR lags due to its sensor limitations and simplified controls. Obviously, the SZ-30MR performs well for a superzoom compact but cannot match the DSLR’s capabilities.

Photography Discipline Scores Highlight

Breaking down the cameras by genre:

The E-30 dominates where image quality, speed, and flexibility are priorities (portrait, landscape, wildlife, sports). The SZ-30MR excels in street and travel for users prioritizing portability and zoom reach.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

The Olympus E-30 is an accomplished advanced DSLR, ideal for enthusiasts and professionals valuing image quality, control, and system expandability. It handles diverse photography styles, from portraits to landscapes, and even light action sports with aplomb, though video is absent. Its ergonomics and build make it a lifelong tool, capable and dependable.

The Olympus SZ-30MR is an intriguing compact superzoom, perfect for casual shooters or travelers who want wide-to-telephoto flexibility in a single, pocketable camera with simple operation. It shines in daylight, convenience, and video capture but lacks the depth and precision demanded by more serious photographers.

If your photography involves controlled environments, requires more creativity, or demands tailored lenses, the E-30 remains the superior choice - despite its vintage. On the other hand, if you want a lightweight companion with impressive zoom and straightforward shooting, the SZ-30MR is a sensible budget-friendly option.

I hope this deep dive helps you plot your photographic journey equipped with realistic expectations about these two Olympus cameras. As always, your best choice depends on your personal style, subjects, and technical needs, but informed decisions always start here.

Feel free to reach out with your specific use case questions - I’m happy to help sharpen your path to great images.