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Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony HX30V

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
50
Overall
44
Olympus SZ-15 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony HX30V Key Specs

Olympus SZ-15
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-483mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 250g - 108 x 70 x 40mm
  • Released June 2013
Sony HX30V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Introduced February 2012
  • Previous Model is Sony HX20V
  • Newer Model is Sony HX50V
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Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony HX30V Overview

The following is a detailed assessment of the Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony HX30V, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SZ-15 (16MP) and the HX30V (18MP) is pretty well matched and they possess the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ-15 was unveiled 16 months after the HX30V which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before going through a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the SZ-15 scores versus the HX30V when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-15 over the Sony HX30V

 SZ-15 HX30V 
IntroducedJune 2013February 2012Newer by 16 months

Reasons to pick Sony HX30V over the Olympus SZ-15

 HX30V SZ-15 
Screen resolution922k460kClearer screen (+462k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SZ-15 and Sony HX30V

 SZ-15 HX30V 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurement
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony HX30V Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you will want to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-15 enjoys physical measurements of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") along with a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) and the Sony HX30V has proportions of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony HX30V in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have attached at the time. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the SZ-15 against the HX30V.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony HX30V size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-15 and HX30V is 88 and 90 respectively.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony HX30V top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony HX30V Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is hard to visualize the difference between sensor dimensions only by looking at technical specs. The image below will give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-15 and HX30V.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different resolution. You should expect the Sony HX30V to resolve extra detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The newer SZ-15 provides an edge in sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony HX30V sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony HX30V Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony HX30V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Portrait photography features
Sony HX30V Portrait photography features
44
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
comes with face detection focusing
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
45
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
features face detect focus
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Street photography features
Sony HX30V Street photography features
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (250 grams)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (254g)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Sports photography details
Sony HX30V Sports photography details
53
long zoom range (23-483mm 21.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
49
amazing zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (18MP)
features tracking focus
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 as a Travel photography camera
Sony HX30V as a Travel photography camera
68
lighter than average (250g)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (23mm)
very long zoom (483mm)
missing Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
69
lighter than competitors in class (254g)
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
long reach (500mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Landscape photography info
Sony HX30V Landscape photography info
49
manual focus
reasonably wide (23mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
missing Timelapse recording
50
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Vlogging info
Sony HX30V Vlogging info
34
reasonably wide (23mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average (250 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing external microphone jack
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors in class (254 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have mic jack
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Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony HX30V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-15 and Sony HX30V
 Olympus SZ-15Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus SZ-15 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2013-06-21 2012-02-28
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - BIONZ
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 3200 12800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 23-483mm (21.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focusing distance 5cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology LCD XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 10.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 7.10 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format AVI MPEG4, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 250 gr (0.55 pounds) 254 gr (0.56 pounds)
Dimensions 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 - 320 photos
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID SLB-10A NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Launch pricing $200 $420