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Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus SZ-30MR

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Olympus SZ-30MR front
Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
39
Overall
39

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus SZ-30MR Key Specs

Olympus E-PM1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 265g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Released November 2011
  • Successor is Olympus E-PM2
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-PM1 vs Olympus SZ-30MR Overview

Below is a comprehensive analysis of the Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus SZ-30MR, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are created by Olympus. There is a large difference among the image resolutions of the E-PM1 (12MP) and SZ-30MR (16MP) and the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and SZ-30MR (1/2.3") possess different sensor sizes.

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The E-PM1 was launched 9 months later than the SZ-30MR so they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus SZ-30MR being a Compact camera.

Before getting in to a more detailed comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the E-PM1 grades against the SZ-30MR with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Olympus SZ-30MR

 E-PM1 SZ-30MR 
IntroducedNovember 2011March 2011More recent by 9 months
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-30MR over the Olympus E-PM1

 SZ-30MR E-PM1 

Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Olympus SZ-30MR

 E-PM1 SZ-30MR 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Display resolution460k460kSame display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus SZ-30MR Physical Comparison

When you are going to lug around your camera frequently, you're going to have to consider its weight and size. The Olympus E-PM1 features physical measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) whilst the Olympus SZ-30MR has specifications of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") and a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus SZ-30MR in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are employing at the time. Following is the front view size comparison of the E-PM1 compared to the SZ-30MR.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus SZ-30MR size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the E-PM1 and SZ-30MR is 89 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus SZ-30MR top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus SZ-30MR Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to picture the contrast in sensor measurements only by checking out specifications. The photograph here will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PM1 and SZ-30MR.

Plainly, the 2 cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The E-PM1 due to its larger sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF less difficult and the Olympus SZ-30MR will provide more detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop images far more aggressively. The more recent E-PM1 provides an advantage in sensor technology.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus SZ-30MR sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus SZ-30MR Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus SZ-30MR Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Portrait photography factors
Olympus SZ-30MR Portrait photography factors
60
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focus
supports RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
34
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
includes face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Street photography camera
Olympus SZ-30MR as a Street photography camera
75
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others (226g)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Sports photography information
Olympus SZ-30MR Sports photography information
49
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (6.0 frames/s)
low MP (12 megapixels)
no phase detect auto focus
41
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
includes tracking focus
slow frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (220 shots)
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Travel photography features
Olympus SZ-30MR Travel photography features
45
lack of Timelapse function
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
65
lighter than others (226 grams)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
not so great battery pack (220 shots)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PM1
Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-30MR
65
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse function
41
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
no manual control
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
not so great battery pack (220 per charge)
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Vlogging camera
Olympus SZ-30MR as a Vlogging camera
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
lack of external microphone jack
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others (226 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
lack of microphone port
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus SZ-30MR Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Olympus SZ-30MR
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Olympus SZ-30MR
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus PEN E-PM1 Olympus SZ-30MR
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2011-11-23 2011-03-02
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VI 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 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 12800 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 35 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-600mm (24.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.0-6.9
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Total lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating TFT Hypercrystal III Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1700 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 4.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 265 gr (0.58 pounds) 226 gr (0.50 pounds)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 52 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.3 not tested
DXO Low light score 499 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 photos 220 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 LI-50B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $499 $279