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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Olympus SZ-30MR

Portability
89
Imaging
40
Features
36
Overall
38
Olympus SZ-16 iHS front
 
Olympus SZ-30MR front
Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
39
Overall
39

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Olympus SZ-30MR Key Specs

Olympus SZ-16 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 108 x 70 x 40mm
  • Announced January 2013
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 SZ-16 iHS vs Olympus SZ-30MR Overview

Here, we will be contrasting the Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Olympus SZ-30MR, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and both of them are built by Olympus. The resolution of the SZ-16 iHS (16MP) and the SZ-30MR (16MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras boast the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ-16 iHS was announced 23 months after the SZ-30MR which makes them a generation away from each other. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a detailed comparison, here is a short highlight of how the SZ-16 iHS grades versus the SZ-30MR in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-16 iHS over the Olympus SZ-30MR

 SZ-16 iHS SZ-30MR 
RevealedJanuary 2013March 2011More modern by 23 months

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-30MR over the Olympus SZ-16 iHS

 SZ-30MR SZ-16 iHS 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Olympus SZ-30MR

 SZ-16 iHS SZ-30MR 
Manually focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Screen resolution460k460kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Olympus SZ-30MR Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry around your camera regularly, you have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-16 iHS provides exterior dimensions of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") having a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Olympus SZ-30MR has proportions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs).

See the Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Olympus SZ-30MR in our brand new 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 are employing at the time. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the SZ-16 iHS against the SZ-30MR.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Olympus SZ-30MR size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-16 iHS and SZ-30MR is 89 and 89 respectively.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Olympus SZ-30MR top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Olympus SZ-30MR Sensor Comparison

Often, it's hard to envision the gap in sensor sizes merely by going through technical specs. The image here may give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-16 iHS and SZ-30MR.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras feature the identical sensor size and the exact same resolution therefore you can expect comparable quality of pictures but you will need to factor the launch date of the cameras into account. The more modern SZ-16 iHS will have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Olympus SZ-30MR sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Olympus SZ-30MR Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Olympus SZ-30MR Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Portrait photography info
Olympus SZ-30MR Portrait photography info
35
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
offers face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
34
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
features face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS as a Street photography camera
Olympus SZ-30MR as a Street photography camera
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (226g)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (226 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Sports photography highlights
Olympus SZ-30MR Sports photography highlights
42
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
slow fps (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (220 CIPA)
does not have phase detect autofocus
41
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (220 shots)
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS as a Travel photography camera
Olympus SZ-30MR as a Travel photography camera
65
lighter than competition (226 grams)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
not so great battery pack (220 shots)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
65
lighter than competition (226 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
missing Timelapse recording
not so great battery pack (220 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Landscape photography info
Olympus SZ-30MR Landscape photography info
41
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
no manual control
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
not so great battery pack (220 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
41
rather wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
no manual control
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
not so great battery pack (220 per charge)
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SZ-16 iHS
Vlogging with Olympus SZ-30MR
31
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect autofocus
lighter than competition (226 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone socket
34
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (226 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing external microphone support
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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Olympus SZ-30MR Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Olympus SZ-30MR
 Olympus SZ-16 iHSOlympus SZ-30MR
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus SZ-16 iHS Olympus SZ-30MR
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2013-01-08 2011-03-02
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - TruePic III+
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.0-6.9
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT Color LCD TFT Hypercrystal III Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1700 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 2.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 4.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps)1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226g (0.50 lb) 226g (0.50 lb)
Physical dimensions 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") 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 220 images 220 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B LI-50B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $230 $279