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Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus SZ-30MR

Portability
54
Imaging
62
Features
93
Overall
74
Olympus OM-D E-M1X front
 
Olympus SZ-30MR front
Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
39
Overall
39

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus SZ-30MR Key Specs

Olympus E-M1X
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 997g - 144 x 147 x 75mm
  • Launched January 2019
  • Superseded the Olympus E-M1 II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
  • Introduced March 2011
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Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus SZ-30MR Overview

Following is a comprehensive review of the Olympus E-M1X and Olympus SZ-30MR, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are designed by Olympus. There exists a noticeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the E-M1X (20MP) and SZ-30MR (16MP) and the E-M1X (Four Thirds) and SZ-30MR (1/2.3") provide different sensor size.

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The E-M1X was unveiled 8 years after the SZ-30MR which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M1X being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus SZ-30MR being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the E-M1X matches up versus the SZ-30MR when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1X over the Olympus SZ-30MR

 E-M1X SZ-30MR 
IntroducedJanuary 2019March 2011More modern by 97 months
Manually focus More exact focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1037k460kCrisper display (+577k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-30MR over the Olympus E-M1X

 SZ-30MR E-M1X 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1X and Olympus SZ-30MR

 E-M1X SZ-30MR 
Display size3"3"Same display size

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus SZ-30MR Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry around your camera regularly, you need to factor its weight and size. The Olympus E-M1X provides external measurements of 144mm x 147mm x 75mm (5.7" x 5.8" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 997 grams (2.20 lbs) while the Olympus SZ-30MR has specifications of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-M1X and Olympus SZ-30MR in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the E-M1X compared to the SZ-30MR.

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus SZ-30MR size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-M1X and SZ-30MR is 54 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus SZ-30MR top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus SZ-30MR Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is hard to imagine the contrast between sensor sizes merely by going over specs. The pic here will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M1X and SZ-30MR.

All in all, the 2 cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The E-M1X having a larger sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF easier and the Olympus E-M1X will deliver greater detail having an extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images way more aggressively. The more recent E-M1X provides an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus SZ-30MR sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus SZ-30MR Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus SZ-30MR Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Portrait photography information
Olympus SZ-30MR Portrait photography information
77
you can focus manually
good resolution (20MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
34
MP count good (16 megapixels)
comes with face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Street photography highlights
Olympus SZ-30MR Street photography highlights
67
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
offers focus via touch
environment sealing
great high ISO (25,600)
more heavy than others in class (997g)
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (226 grams)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Sports photography highlights
Olympus SZ-30MR Sports photography highlights
81
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet mode (1/32,000 seconds)
max frames per second high (60.0 frames per second)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (20MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment sealing
great battery life (870 per charge)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
41
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (220 per charge)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Travel photography advice
Olympus SZ-30MR Travel photography advice
68
great battery life (870 shots)
environment sealing
has bluetooth
offers focus via touch
good resolution (20 megapixels)
display is selfie friendly
more heavy than others in class (997g)
65
lighter than competitors (226 grams)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
terrible battery pack (220 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Landscape photography details
Olympus SZ-30MR Landscape photography details
80
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (20MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
great high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
great battery life (870 shots)
2 card slots
41
quite wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
manual mode not available
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
terrible battery pack (220 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Vlogging advice
Olympus SZ-30MR Vlogging advice
68
display is selfie friendly
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detection focus
video resolution high (4096 x 2160 resolution)
includes external microphone support
more heavy than others in class (997g)
34
quite wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detection focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors (226g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of external microphone support
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Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus SZ-30MR Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1X and Olympus SZ-30MR
 Olympus OM-D E-M1XOlympus SZ-30MR
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1X Olympus SZ-30MR
Category Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2019-01-24 2011-03-02
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Dual TruePic VIII TruePic III+
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5184 x 3888 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 25600 3200
Min native ISO 200 80
RAW images
Min enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 121 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-600mm (24.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.0-6.9
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 1,037k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech - TFT Hypercrystal III Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/1700 secs
Max quiet shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shutter rate 60.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 4.00 m
Flash modes 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
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (30 fps)1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps)
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes (USB-PD allows charging by laptop or external power bank) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Built-in None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 997 gr (2.20 pounds) 226 gr (0.50 pounds)
Physical dimensions 144 x 147 x 75mm (5.7" x 5.8" x 3.0") 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 870 pictures 220 pictures
Battery style Built-in Battery Pack
Battery ID - LI-50B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage - SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Dual 1
Pricing at release $2,999 $279