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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
Photography Glossary

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.

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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