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Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus SZ-30MR

Portability
71 Imaging
53 Features
85 Overall
65
Olympus OM-D E-M1 front
 
Olympus SZ-30MR front
Portability
89 Imaging
39 Features
39 Overall
39

Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus SZ-30MR Key Specs

Olympus E-M1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 497g - 130 x 94 x 63mm
  • Introduced October 2013
  • Replacement is Olympus E-M1 II
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
  • Released March 2011
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Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus SZ-30MR Overview

Its time to look much closer at the Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus SZ-30MR, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are designed by Olympus. The image resolution of the E-M1 (16MP) and the SZ-30MR (16MP) is very similar but the E-M1 (Four Thirds) and SZ-30MR (1/2.3") posses different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The E-M1 was revealed 2 years later than the SZ-30MR and that is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus SZ-30MR being a Compact camera.

Before going right into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise overview of how the E-M1 scores vs the SZ-30MR in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Olympus SZ-30MR

		

		

			
 E-M1 SZ-30MR 
ReleasedOctober 2013March 2011Fresher by 33 months
Focus manually  Dial precise focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1037k460kCrisper display (+577k dot)
Touch display  Easily navigate
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-30MR over the Olympus E-M1

		

		

			
 SZ-30MR E-M1 
		

	

	
	

		

		
Common features in the Olympus E-M1 and Olympus SZ-30MR

		

		

			
 E-M1 SZ-30MR 
Display size3"3"Same display measurement
Selfie screen  Neither features selfie screen
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus SZ-30MR Physical Comparison

		

		

			
If you are planning to carry your camera regularly, you will have to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus E-M1 enjoys external measurements of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") with a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs) and the Olympus SZ-30MR has sizing of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs).
Compare the Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus SZ-30MR in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the E-M1 versus the SZ-30MR.
Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus SZ-30MR size comparison
Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 and SZ-30MR is 71 and 89 respectively.
Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus SZ-30MR top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus SZ-30MR Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
Typically, it can be tough to imagine the difference between sensor sizing simply by reading technical specs. The photograph here may offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M1 and SZ-30MR.
As you have seen, each of the cameras feature the identical megapixel count but different sensor sizing. The E-M1 includes the larger sensor which is going to make getting shallow DOF easier. The more recent E-M1 should have an advantage in sensor technology.
	
			Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus SZ-30MR sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus SZ-30MR Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus SZ-30MR Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
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Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
Olympus E-M1 Portrait photography factors
Olympus SZ-30MR Portrait photography factors
71
 you can focus manually
 great flash sync speed (1/320 seconds)
 MP count good (16MP)
 good sensor size (Four Thirds)
 comes with face detect focusing
 exports RAW formats
34
 good megapixels (16MP)
 includes face detection autofocus
 focusing manually not possible
 no manual mode
 no external flash support
 very small sensor size (1/2.3")
 does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison
Olympus E-M1 Street photography information
Olympus SZ-30MR Street photography information
78
 screen tilts
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 good sensor size (Four Thirds)
 exports RAW formats
 has focus via touch
 weather proofing
 lighter than competition in class (497g)
 great high ISO (25,600)
60
 has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
 lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
 screen does not articulate
 very small sensor size (1/2.3")
 does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison
Sports photography with Olympus E-M1
Sports photography with Olympus SZ-30MR
70
 high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 MP count good (16MP)
 good sensor size (Four Thirds)
 comes with tracking focus
 weather proofing
 has phase detect AF
 terrible battery power (350 shots)
41
 long zoom range (25-600mm  24.0 x zoom)
 has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
 good megapixels (16MP)
 includes tracking autofocus
 low frames per second (2.0 fps)
 lack of shutter priority mode
 very small sensor size (1/2.3")
 not so great battery pack (220 shots)
 does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison
Olympus E-M1 Travel photography info
Olympus SZ-30MR Travel photography info
65
 lighter than competition in class (497 grams)
 weather proofing
 has focus via touch
 MP count good (16 megapixels)
 terrible battery power (350 CIPA)
 display is not selfie friendly
65
 lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
 good megapixels (16MP)
 built-in flash
 fairly wide (25mm)
 great reach (600mm)
 no Timelapse recording
 not so great battery pack (220 per charge)
 display is not selfie friendly
 somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison
Landscape photography with Olympus E-M1
Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-30MR
73
 you can focus manually
 switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
 pretty good screen size (3")
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 MP count good (16MP)
 good sensor size (Four Thirds)
 great high ISO (25,600)
 exports RAW formats
 weather proofing
 terrible battery power (350 shots)
41
 fairly wide (25mm)
 good sized screen (3")
 has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
 good megapixels (16MP)
 focusing manually not possible
 fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
 somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
 no manual mode
 very small sensor size (1/2.3")
 does not have RAW files
 not so great battery pack (220 CIPA)
 no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison
Olympus E-M1 Vlogging factors
Olympus SZ-30MR Vlogging factors
36
 touchscreen capability
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 comes with face detect focusing
 great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
 has microphone support
 lighter than competition in class (497 grams)
 display is not selfie friendly
34
 fairly wide (25mm)
 has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
 includes face detection autofocus
 video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
 lighter than competition in class (226g)
 somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
 display is not selfie friendly
 no external microphone port
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Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus SZ-30MR Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 and Olympus SZ-30MR
 Olympus OM-D E-M1Olympus SZ-30MR
General Information
Company Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Olympus SZ-30MR
Category Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2013-10-28 2011-03-02
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePIC VII TruePic III+
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter    
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9 4:3 and  16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 25600 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW files    
Autofocusing
Focus manually    
Autofocus touch    
Autofocus continuous    
Single autofocus    
Autofocus tracking    
Autofocus selectice    
Center weighted autofocus    
Multi area autofocus    
Live view autofocus    
Face detect focus    
Contract detect focus    
Phase detect focus    
Total focus points 81 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-600mm (24.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.0-6.9
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,037k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch screen    
Display tech - TFT Hypercrystal III Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/1700 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Manual exposure    
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance    
Image stabilization    
Integrated flash    
Flash distance no built-in flash 4.00 m
Flash modes Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain), Manual Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
Hot shoe    
AE bracketing    
White balance bracketing    
Max flash sync 1/320 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering    
Average metering    
Spot metering    
Partial metering    
AF area metering    
Center weighted metering    
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps)1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone jack    
Headphone jack    
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth    
NFC    
HDMI    
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal    
Water proofing    
Dust proofing    
Shock proofing    
Crush proofing    
Freeze proofing    
Weight 497g (1.10 lbs) 226g (0.50 lbs)
Physical dimensions 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 73 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.7 not tested
DXO Low light rating 757 not tested
Other
Battery life 350 photos 220 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLN-1 LI-50B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording    
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $799 $279