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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus 550WP

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
39
Overall
39
Olympus SZ-30MR front
 
Olympus Stylus 550WP front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus 550WP Key Specs

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
  • Launched March 2011
Olympus 550WP
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 38-114mm (F3.5-5.0) lens
  • 167g - 94 x 62 x 22mm
  • Launched January 2009
  • Alternative Name is mju 550WP
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus 550WP Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Olympus SZ-30MR versus Olympus 550WP, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are designed by Olympus. There exists a substantial gap between the sensor resolutions of the SZ-30MR (16MP) and 550WP (10MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SZ-30MR was brought out 2 years after the 550WP which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting through a step-by-step comparison, below is a short summary of how the SZ-30MR scores vs the 550WP in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-30MR over the Olympus 550WP

 SZ-30MR 550WP 
LaunchedMarch 2011January 2009More modern by 27 months
Screen dimension3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus 550WP over the Olympus SZ-30MR

 550WP SZ-30MR 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-30MR and Olympus 550WP

 SZ-30MR 550WP 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus 550WP Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you'll have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-30MR features outside dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") and a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Olympus 550WP has dimensions of 94mm x 62mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Compare the Olympus SZ-30MR versus Olympus 550WP in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are employing at that moment. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the SZ-30MR versus the 550WP.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus 550WP size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ-30MR and 550WP is 89 and 94 respectively.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus 550WP top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus 550WP Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's hard to imagine the gap between sensor sizes just by going over technical specs. The picture below may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-30MR and 550WP.

As you have seen, each of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different MP. You can expect the Olympus SZ-30MR to deliver more detail having its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs much more aggressively. The newer SZ-30MR should have an advantage in sensor technology.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus 550WP sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus 550WP Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus 550WP Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Portrait photography factors
Olympus 550WP Portrait photography factors
34
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
supports face detection focus
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
19
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
no external flash support
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Street photography details
Olympus 550WP Street photography details
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
61
image stabilization (Digital)
environment proof
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Sports photography features
Olympus 550WP Sports photography features
41
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (220 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
30
image stabilization (Digital)
environment proof
low max shutter speed (1/1,000 seconds)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Travel photography info
Olympus 550WP Travel photography info
65
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
not so great battery life (220 CIPA)
does not contain selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
55
environment proof
has built in flash
no Time Lapse recording
MP count low (10 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Landscape photography information
Olympus 550WP Landscape photography information
41
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
not so great battery life (220 shots)
missing Time Lapse recording
30
image stabilization (Digital)
environment proof
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.5 inches)
no manual control
MP count low (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Vlogging information
Olympus 550WP Vlogging information
34
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detection focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (226g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
does not contain selfie friendly display
missing external mic port
25
image stabilization (Digital)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not have a selfie friendly display
low quality video (640 x 480 pxls)
no external mic support
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus 550WP Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-30MR and Olympus 550WP
 Olympus SZ-30MROlympus Stylus 550WP
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus SZ-30MR Olympus Stylus 550WP
Alternative name - mju 550WP
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2011-03-02 2009-01-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic III+ -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 3200 1600
Minimum native ISO 80 64
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 38-114mm (3.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.5-5.0
Macro focusing distance 1cm 7cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 2.5 inch
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT Hypercrystal III Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1700 seconds 1/1000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.00 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off, On
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps)1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video data format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226g (0.50 pounds) 167g (0.37 pounds)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 94 x 62 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9")
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 pictures -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC xD-Picture Card, microSD, internal
Card slots One One
Price at release $279 $399