Olympus E-P5 vs Olympus SZ-30MR

The following is a extensive assessment of the Olympus E-P5 and Olympus SZ-30MR, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are manufactured by Olympus. The image resolution of the E-P5 (16MP) and the SZ-30MR (16MP) is very comparable but the E-P5 (Four Thirds) and SZ-30MR (1/2.3") use different sensor dimensions.

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The E-P5 was released 2 years after the SZ-30MR which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-P5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus SZ-30MR being a Compact camera.

Before diving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a short highlight of how the E-P5 scores against the SZ-30MR in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus PEN E-P5 and Olympus SZ-30MR. The complete galleries are provided at Olympus E-P5 Gallery and Olympus SZ-30MR Gallery.

When you are looking to travel with your camera often, you'll have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-P5 comes with outside dimensions of 122mm x 69mm x 37mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.5") along with a weight of 420 grams (0.93 lbs) whilst the Olympus SZ-30MR has proportions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") and a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-P5 and Olympus SZ-30MR in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you choose during that time. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the E-P5 compared to the SZ-30MR.

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the E-P5 and SZ-30MR is 85 and 89 respectively.

Generally, it is tough to picture the gap in sensor dimensions purely by going through specs. The image below should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-P5 and SZ-30MR.

All in all, both cameras posses the exact same MP but different sensor dimensions. The E-P5 offers the larger sensor which will make achieving bokeh simpler. The more modern E-P5 should have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.