Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus 7000

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus Stylus 7000: A Complete Comparison of Two Compact Classics

When Olympus released the SZ-30MR in early 2011 and the Stylus 7000 (also known as mju 7000) back in 2009, they both appealed to the compact camera market but with somewhat different priorities. Nearly a decade and a half later, these models offer an interesting snapshot of Olympus’ design approach in the small sensor segment. Having spent a fair bit of time testing these cameras side-by-side, I’m sharing a deep-dive comparison with the practical photographer in mind - to help you make an informed choice, especially if you’re tracking the evolution of superzooms or compact enthusiast cameras.

Let’s walk through their designs, imaging capabilities, handling, and suitability for various photographic genres before wrapping with recommendations based on shooting needs and budgets.

Compact Design and Ergonomics: Size Matters, But How Much?

Starting with size and ergonomics, both cameras embrace the "compact" label but don’t quite fall into the "pocketable" tier by 2024 standards.

The SZ-30MR is the larger, heavier of the two at 106 x 69 x 40 mm and 226 grams. The Stylus 7000 shrinks things down to 96 x 56 x 25 mm and 172 grams, a noticeable difference when holding them simultaneously. That extra bulk on the SZ-30MR is largely due to its more ambitious 24× zoom lens compared to the Stylus 7000’s 7× zoom.

Ergonomically, the SZ-30MR benefits from a chunkier grip profile which enhances handling stability, especially at longer focal lengths. The Stylus 7000, while sleeker and more pocket-friendly, feels a little more delicate in hand, and can get fiddly when shooting with larger hands or through extended zoom ranges.

Neither sports an electronic viewfinder, so handling relies heavily on their respective LCD displays.

On the control front, both cameras keep a simple button layout with limited dials - no traditional mode wheels here. The SZ-30MR edges ahead with slightly more accessible buttons and a dedicated zoom lever around the shutter button. The Stylus 7000’s controls are minimalistic; it’s designed more for point-and-shoot usability than nuanced manual intervention.

Screens and Interface: How You See Is What You Get

Both cameras feature fixed 3-inch LCD screens, but the SZ-30MR sports a higher resolution TFT Hypercrystal III panel with 460k dots compared to the Stylus 7000’s 230k dots. In real-world use, this difference translates to clearer image previews and easier menu navigation on the SZ-30MR, especially in bright outdoor settings.

Neither offers a touchscreen, which is unsurprising given their release periods, but the SZ-30MR’s higher resolution helps compensate by providing sharper focus peaking and playback clarity.

The absence of an electronic viewfinder on both models relegates the composition duties entirely to the LCD, a non-issue for casual handheld shooting but potentially fatiguing over extended shoots or in bright conditions.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: CMOS vs CCD, The Battle Within

At the heart of these cameras are small 1/2.3-inch sensors, but their technologies differ significantly. The SZ-30MR employs a 16MP CMOS sensor, while the Stylus 7000 uses a 12MP CCD sensor.

The larger pixel pitch and modern CMOS design on the SZ-30MR translate into better low-light performance, higher maximum ISO sensitivity (up to ISO 3200 native vs ISO 1600 native on the Stylus 7000), and generally cleaner images with less noise and better dynamic range.

The CCD sensor in the Stylus 7000, typical of compact cameras from about a decade ago, provides decent color rendering but tends to struggle in dim conditions with elevated noise and lower flexibility during post-processing.

Resolution-wise, the SZ-30MR maxes out at 4608 x 3456 pixels, offering more detail at base ISO, whereas the Stylus 7000’s 3968 x 2976 resolution is respectable but less suited for large prints or crops.

Autofocus and Operating Speed: Precision for Fast-Moving Subjects?

Neither camera offers manual focus options or advanced autofocus modes, but autofocus systems differ in capabilities.

The SZ-30MR uses a contrast-detection system with face detection and multi-area AF, and adds AF tracking. This allows it to maintain better focus on moving subjects compared to the Stylus 7000, which relies on center-weighted contrast detection with no face detection or AF tracking.

Continuous shooting on the SZ-30MR is held at a modest 2 fps burst rate - slow by today’s mirrorless standards but usable for casual action. The Stylus 7000 lacks continuous shooting specs, indicating more limited burst capabilities.

For shooting wildlife or sports, these limitations mean neither camera will satisfy avid action photographers needing speed and precision, but for casual telephoto shooting - like vacation snaps featuring children or birds at a distance - the SZ-30MR’s AF features provide a clear edge.

Lens Capabilities: Zoom Reach vs Aperture Control

The lens specifications paint a clear narrative on intended shooting priorities.

The SZ-30MR boasts a monumental 25-600 mm equivalent zoom range (24× optical), from moderate wide to extreme telephoto. Maximum aperture varies from f/3.0 at the wide end to f/6.9 at the long end - typical for superzoom compacts. Its macro capability is impressive with a close focusing range of 1 cm.

The Stylus 7000 offers a 37-260 mm equivalent zoom (7× optical) with apertures from f/3.5 to f/5.3. Its macro capability starts from 2 cm, good but less aggressive than the SZ-30MR.

This difference in zoom reach and aperture means the SZ-30MR is a more versatile all-in-one travel and wildlife camera, while the Stylus 7000 is built for everyday street and snapshot photography with a more manageable zoom.

Image Stabilization: Steady Hands Welcome

Both cameras feature sensor-shift image stabilization, a welcome feature on long telephoto shots and for handheld video.

It’s worth noting that Olympus historically made robust IS implementations, and in field tests, the SZ-30MR’s stabilization effectively tames camera shake up to several stops, critical given the extreme zoom range.

The Stylus 7000’s IS is competent but less effective when pushing the lens to longer focal lengths, reflecting limitations of stabilizing a smaller zoom range and older technology.

Video Performance: HD vs VGA

Video remains modest on both models, with vastly different capabilities.

The SZ-30MR records Full HD 1080p footage at 30 fps using MPEG-4 compression, a significant step up for its era and useful for casual videography or family events.

The Stylus 7000 sticks to VGA (640×480) resolution video at 30 fps using Motion JPEG, which looks outdated even in the late 2000s.

Neither supports external microphones or advanced video features like 4K or high frame rates, so neither is suitable for serious videographers but the SZ-30MR is clearly the better choice for casual HD movies.

Battery Life and Storage: Practical Considerations

The SZ-30MR runs on an Olympus LI-50B rechargeable battery with an estimated 220 shot capacity per charge, adequate for a day of shooting but on the low side compared to modern standards.

The Stylus 7000’s battery specs are less clear, but experience indicates shorter runtimes, partly due to older battery technology.

Storage wise, the SZ-30MR uses SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, the industry standard, while the Stylus 7000 intriguingly supports xD Picture Cards - a now-obsolete format - alongside microSD cards and has a small internal memory buffer.

This means the SZ-30MR offers better compatibility, easier file transfers, and higher capacity options.

Connectivity and Extras: Modern Features? Not Exactly

Olympus included Eye-Fi wireless connectivity on the SZ-30MR, allowing wireless image transfers with compatible SD cards. While this seems limited today, it was cutting edge for compact cameras of the era.

The Stylus 7000 lacks any wireless connectivity, HDMI ports, or Bluetooth.

Examining Image Quality and Sample Shots Side-by-Side

The real test comes when shooting. Side-by-side comparisons reveal the SZ-30MR’s 16MP sensor captures richer detail and more vibrant colors, noticeably superior dynamic range, and cleaner shadows.

The extended zoom allows for tight wildlife or telephoto portrait shots without cropping, unlocking creative possibilities unavailable on the Stylus 7000.

The Stylus 7000’s images, while decent in good light, exhibit softer details and limited dynamic range, occasional color casts, and more noise creeping in under lower light.

Olympus SZ 30MR front Olympus SZ 30MR screen back Olympus 7000 front Olympus 7000 screen back

Macro shots from the SZ-30MR are impressively close and sharp, benefiting from both the 1 cm focusing ability and image stabilization.

Use Case Performance: Which Camera Excels Where?

Using a genre-focused scorecard helps understand suitability:

• Portraits: SZ-30MR’s face detection AF and higher resolution deliver more detailed, vibrant skin tones and better eye focus. Stylus 7000 struggles with subtle focus and may result in softer portraits.

• Landscape: Both cameras deliver respectable detail, but SZ-30MR’s dynamic range and higher resolution make panoramas and fine detail landscapes more rewarding.

• Wildlife: SZ-30MR’s 600 mm zoom and AF tracking are clear advantages; Stylus 7000’s 260 mm max zoom limits reach.

• Sports: Neither optimized for fast action, but SZ-30MR’s 2 fps shooting and AF tracking offer slight benefits.

• Street: Stylus 7000’s compact size and discreet styling make it a better candidate for candid shooting; the heavier, bulkier SZ-30MR calls attention at times.

• Macro: SZ-30MR takes a decisive lead in close focusing speed and sharpness.

• Night/Astro: SZ-30MR’s CMOS sensor and ISO performance better handle low light.

• Video: SZ-30MR is the obvious choice with HD recording.

• Travel: SZ-30MR’s versatility balanced against size tradeoff, Stylus 7000 excels in portability.

• Professional use: Neither suits professional-grade workflows; lack of RAW hurts both. SZ-30MR edges out for versatility.

Build Quality and Durability: Simple, No Weather Sealing

Both cameras sport plastic chassis typical of their class with no weather sealing or ruggedness claims.

Only limited shock and dust resistance inherent to compact designs.

Price-to-Performance: Value Today?

At launch, both retailed near $279, commoditized compacts at the time.

Today, neither would represent a technology leap for demanding users, but for collectors, casual photo enthusiasts, or second cameras, the SZ-30MR generally offers more bang-per-buck considering features and image quality.

Overall Scores Summarized

While both cameras reflect compromises expected of compact fixed-lens designs from their period, the Olympus SZ-30MR stands out for evolving the superzoom philosophy further with a sharper sensor, broader zoom, practical AF features, and HD video support.

The Stylus 7000 holds appeal mainly for those prioritizing extreme portability and simplicity.

Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Camera for Your Needs

The Olympus SZ-30MR and Stylus 7000 present two snapshots from Olympus’ compact camera history, each with distinct identities:

• If you need one camera that’s versatile, great for telephoto, family trips, modest wildlife, and HD video, the SZ-30MR is a better companion.

• If you crave pocketability, straightforward snapshot capability, and a slimmer profile for street or travel photography where zoom reach is less important, the older Stylus 7000 suits those parameters.

Neither camera delivers professional-grade manual controls, weather resistance, or RAW capture, so if these are priority features, looking at modern mirrorless options makes sense.

From my experience shooting in varied environments, the SZ-30MR impresses as a surprisingly capable superzoom despite its compactness, while the Stylus 7000 remains a charming, easy-to-use compact with some dated limitations.

For the enthusiast on a tight budget hunting for an affordable explorer into superzoom photography, the SZ-30MR is the “good boy” in Olympus’ lineup here. The Stylus 7000, meanwhile, serves as a lightweight companion for casual snapshooters content with basic functionality.

Summary Table

If you want to see more photos, test files, or have questions about specific photographic scenarios using these cameras, I’m happy to share further insights from my testing experience.

Thanks for reading this detailed Olympus SZ-30MR vs 7000 comparison! Hopefully, it helps refine your next compact camera choice.

Olympus SZ 30MR front Olympus SZ 30MR screen back Olympus 7000 front Olympus 7000 screen back