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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus SH-2

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
39
Overall
39
Olympus SZ-30MR front
 
Olympus Stylus SH-2 front
Portability
88
Imaging
41
Features
51
Overall
45

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus SH-2 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
  • Released March 2011
Olympus SH-2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 271g - 109 x 63 x 42mm
  • Launched March 2015
  • Old Model is Olympus SH-1
  • Refreshed by Olympus SH-3
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus SH-2 Overview

On this page, we are looking at the Olympus SZ-30MR versus Olympus SH-2, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras and they are both sold by Olympus. The resolution of the SZ-30MR (16MP) and the SH-2 (16MP) is fairly well matched and both cameras provide the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ-30MR was manufactured 5 years prior to the SH-2 which is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a in depth comparison, here is a concise summation of how the SZ-30MR scores versus the SH-2 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-30MR over the Olympus SH-2

 SZ-30MR SH-2 

Reasons to pick Olympus SH-2 over the Olympus SZ-30MR

 SH-2 SZ-30MR 
LaunchedMarch 2015March 2011More modern by 49 months
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus SZ-30MR and Olympus SH-2

 SZ-30MR SH-2 
Manually focus No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Display resolution460k460kSame display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus SH-2 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-30MR has got physical dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") along with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Olympus SH-2 has measurements of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs).

Compare the Olympus SZ-30MR versus Olympus SH-2 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you select at the time. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the SZ-30MR compared to the SH-2.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus SH-2 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-30MR and SH-2 is 89 and 88 respectively.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus SH-2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus SH-2 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor sizes just by checking a spec sheet. The image underneath will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-30MR and SH-2.

As you can see, both of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the identical resolution and you should expect similar quality of images however you have to take the production date of the products into consideration. The more aged SZ-30MR is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus SH-2 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus SH-2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus SH-2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus SH-2 as a Portrait photography camera
34
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
supports face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
44
good MP (16MP)
has face detect focus
supports RAW files
lack of manual focus
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Street photography factors
Olympus SH-2 Street photography factors
60
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (226g)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
70
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW files
comes with touch focus
lighter than others (271g)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR as a Sports photography camera
Olympus SH-2 as a Sports photography camera
41
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery life (220 per charge)
no phase detect auto focus
51
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16 megapixels)
has tracking focus
great battery pack (380 CIPA)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Travel photography details
Olympus SH-2 Travel photography details
65
lighter than competitors (226 grams)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
bad battery life (220 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
74
great battery pack (380 per charge)
lighter than others (271g)
comes with touch focus
good MP (16MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus SH-2 as a Landscape photography camera
41
rather wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
no manual exposure
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
bad battery life (220 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse recording
55
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16MP)
supports RAW files
great battery pack (380 CIPA)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Vlogging factors
Olympus SH-2 Vlogging factors
34
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detection focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors (226 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have external mic support
35
fairly wide (25mm)
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others (271g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of microphone support
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus SH-2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-30MR and Olympus SH-2
 Olympus SZ-30MROlympus Stylus SH-2
General Information
Brand Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus SZ-30MR Olympus Stylus SH-2
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2011-03-02 2015-03-11
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III+ TruePic VII
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 125
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.0-6.9
Macro focus range 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT Hypercrystal III Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/1700s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0fps 11.5fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.00 m 8.30 m (at ISO 3200)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off
Hot shoe
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 (30 fps)1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4 H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226g (0.50 lb) 271g (0.60 lb)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 220 shots 380 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B LI-92B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $279 $399