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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus TG-860

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
39
Overall
39
Olympus SZ-30MR front
 
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860 front
Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
42
Overall
40

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus TG-860 Key Specs

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
  • Launched March 2011
Olympus TG-860
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 21-105mm (F3.5-5.7) lens
  • 224g - 110 x 64 x 28mm
  • Released February 2015
  • Replacement is Olympus TG-870
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus TG-860 Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Olympus SZ-30MR and Olympus TG-860, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Waterproof and both of them are built by Olympus. The image resolution of the SZ-30MR (16MP) and the TG-860 (16MP) is very close and both cameras have the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SZ-30MR was brought out 4 years earlier than the TG-860 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Olympus SZ-30MR being a Compact camera and the Olympus TG-860 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before diving right into a thorough comparison, here is a brief summary of how the SZ-30MR grades versus the TG-860 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-30MR over the Olympus TG-860

 SZ-30MR TG-860 

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-860 over the Olympus SZ-30MR

 TG-860 SZ-30MR 
ReleasedFebruary 2015March 2011More modern by 47 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Olympus SZ-30MR and Olympus TG-860

 SZ-30MR TG-860 
Focus manually No manual focus
Display size3"3"Same display measurements
Display resolution460k460kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus TG-860 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-30MR comes with exterior dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Olympus TG-860 has dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") and a weight of 224 grams (0.49 lbs).

Check the Olympus SZ-30MR and Olympus TG-860 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are working with at the time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the SZ-30MR compared to the TG-860.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus TG-860 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ-30MR and TG-860 is 89 and 91 respectively.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus TG-860 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus TG-860 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its tough to see the difference in sensor sizes only by viewing technical specs. The image underneath will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-30MR and TG-860.

As you have seen, each of these cameras come with the identical sensor size and the same megapixels therefore you can expect comparable quality of images however you should always take the age of the cameras into account. The more aged SZ-30MR will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus TG-860 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus TG-860 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus TG-860 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Portrait photography details
Olympus TG-860 Portrait photography details
34
MP count good (16MP)
provides face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
35
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
provides face detection focus
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Street photography details
Olympus TG-860 Street photography details
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (226g)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
69
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Optical)
environment proofing
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SZ-30MR
Sports photography with Olympus TG-860
41
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (220 shots)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
48
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proofing
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Travel photography features
Olympus TG-860 Travel photography features
65
lighter than competition (226g)
MP count good (16MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
no Timelapse mode
terrible battery power (220 per charge)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
71
environment proofing
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (21mm)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Landscape photography details
Olympus TG-860 Landscape photography details
41
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
terrible battery power (220 per charge)
no Timelapse mode
47
rather wide (21mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
environment proofing
lack of manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR as a Vlogging camera
Olympus TG-860 as a Vlogging camera
34
fairly wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (226g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
no microphone socket
33
rather wide (21mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of external mic jack
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus TG-860 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-30MR and Olympus TG-860
 Olympus SZ-30MROlympus Stylus Tough TG-860
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus SZ-30MR Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Launched 2011-03-02 2015-02-06
Body design Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic III+ TruePic VII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 125
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 21-105mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.5-5.7
Macro focusing range 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT Hypercrystal III Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1700 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 4.00 m (at ISO 1600)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, redeye reduction, fill flash, off, LED illuminator
External flash
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) 1920 x 1080 (60p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (60p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4 H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
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 Yes
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226 gr (0.50 pounds) 224 gr (0.49 pounds)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 110 x 64 x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1")
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 220 shots 300 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B Li-50B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $279 $279