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Olympus PEN-F vs Olympus SZ-30MR

Portability
84
Imaging
59
Features
79
Overall
67
Olympus PEN-F front
 
Olympus SZ-30MR front
Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
39
Overall
39

Olympus PEN-F vs Olympus SZ-30MR Key Specs

Olympus PEN-F
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 427g - 125 x 72 x 37mm
  • Announced January 2016
Olympus SZ-30MR
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
  • Revealed March 2011
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Olympus PEN-F vs Olympus SZ-30MR Overview

In this article, we will be comparing the Olympus PEN-F and Olympus SZ-30MR, former being a Advanced Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are built by Olympus. There exists a substantial gap among the image resolutions of the PEN-F (20MP) and SZ-30MR (16MP) and the PEN-F (Four Thirds) and SZ-30MR (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor dimensions.

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The PEN-F was revealed 4 years later than the SZ-30MR and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus PEN-F being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus SZ-30MR being a Compact camera.

Before delving in to a complete comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the PEN-F scores versus the SZ-30MR in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus PEN-F over the Olympus SZ-30MR

 PEN-F SZ-30MR 
RevealedJanuary 2016March 2011Fresher by 60 months
Manually focus Very precise focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1037k460kSharper screen (+577k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-30MR over the Olympus PEN-F

 SZ-30MR PEN-F 

Common features in the Olympus PEN-F and Olympus SZ-30MR

 PEN-F SZ-30MR 
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing

Olympus PEN-F vs Olympus SZ-30MR Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry your camera often, you need to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus PEN-F comes with external dimensions of 125mm x 72mm x 37mm (4.9" x 2.8" x 1.5") along with a weight of 427 grams (0.94 lbs) and the Olympus SZ-30MR has measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") having a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs).

Examine the Olympus PEN-F and Olympus SZ-30MR in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have attached at that time. Below is the front view size comparison of the PEN-F compared to the SZ-30MR.

Olympus PEN-F vs Olympus SZ-30MR size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the PEN-F and SZ-30MR is 84 and 89 respectively.

Olympus PEN-F vs Olympus SZ-30MR top view buttons comparison

Olympus PEN-F vs Olympus SZ-30MR Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very tough to envision the difference in sensor sizing purely by seeing a spec sheet. The graphic below will offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the PEN-F and SZ-30MR.

As you can see, the two cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The PEN-F having a bigger sensor will make getting shallower DOF simpler and the Olympus PEN-F will produce more detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The fresher PEN-F is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus PEN-F vs Olympus SZ-30MR sensor size comparison

Olympus PEN-F vs Olympus SZ-30MR Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus PEN-F vs Olympus SZ-30MR Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus PEN-F
Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-30MR
75
manual focus
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focusing
saves RAW files
34
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
provides face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus PEN-F as a Street photography camera
Olympus SZ-30MR as a Street photography camera
84
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
supports touch focus
very good ISO range (25,600)
60
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (226 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus PEN-F Sports photography features
Olympus SZ-30MR Sports photography features
67
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
quiet shooting (1/16,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
low battery (330 shots)
has no phase detect AF
41
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (220 shots)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus PEN-F as a Travel photography camera
Olympus SZ-30MR as a Travel photography camera
75
supports touch focus
resolution is good (20MP)
screen is selfie friendly
low battery (330 shots)
65
lighter than others in class (226 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
terrible battery life (220 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus PEN-F
Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-30MR
76
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
very good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
low battery (330 per charge)
41
rather wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not available
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
terrible battery life (220 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus PEN-F
Vlogging with Olympus SZ-30MR
78
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lack of external mic port
34
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others in class (226 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have mic jack
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Olympus PEN-F vs Olympus SZ-30MR Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus PEN-F and Olympus SZ-30MR
 Olympus PEN-FOlympus SZ-30MR
General Information
Brand Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus PEN-F Olympus SZ-30MR
Class Advanced Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2016-01-27 2011-03-02
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VII TruePic III+
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5184 x 3888 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 25600 3200
Minimum native ISO 200 80
RAW data
Minimum enhanced ISO 80 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 81 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-600mm (24.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.0-6.9
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Available lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 1,037k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology - TFT Hypercrystal III Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.62x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/1700s
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/16000s -
Continuous shutter speed 10.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 4.00 m
Flash settings Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) 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 file format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic input
Headphone input
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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 427 gr (0.94 lb) 226 gr (0.50 lb)
Dimensions 125 x 72 x 37mm (4.9" x 2.8" x 1.5") 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 74 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.1 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.4 not tested
DXO Low light score 894 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 pictures 220 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLN-1 LI-50B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 seconds, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $1,000 $279