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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus TG-820 iHS

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
39
Overall
39
Olympus SZ-30MR front
 
Olympus TG-820 iHS front
Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus TG-820 iHS 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 TG-820 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.9-5.9) lens
  • 206g - 101 x 65 x 26mm
  • Released February 2012
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus TG-820 iHS Overview

Lets look more closely at the Olympus SZ-30MR versus Olympus TG-820 iHS, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Waterproof and both are offered by Olympus. There exists a considerable gap between the resolutions of the SZ-30MR (16MP) and TG-820 iHS (12MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ-30MR was unveiled 11 months prior to the TG-820 iHS which means that they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting right into a detailed comparison, here is a quick overview of how the SZ-30MR grades against the TG-820 iHS in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-30MR over the Olympus TG-820 iHS

 SZ-30MR TG-820 iHS 

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-820 iHS over the Olympus SZ-30MR

 TG-820 iHS SZ-30MR 
ReleasedFebruary 2012March 2011Newer by 11 months
Screen resolution1030k460kSharper screen (+570k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SZ-30MR and Olympus TG-820 iHS

 SZ-30MR TG-820 iHS 
Focus manually No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus TG-820 iHS Physical Comparison

When you are looking to travel with your camera frequently, you'll need to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-30MR enjoys outside measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") having a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Olympus TG-820 iHS has measurements of 101mm x 65mm x 26mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.0") having a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).

Look at the Olympus SZ-30MR versus Olympus TG-820 iHS in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have attached at the time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the SZ-30MR against the TG-820 iHS.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus TG-820 iHS size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ-30MR and TG-820 iHS is 89 and 92 respectively.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus TG-820 iHS top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus TG-820 iHS Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be tough to visualize the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by reading a spec sheet. The image below might provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-30MR and TG-820 iHS.

As you can see, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You can expect the Olympus SZ-30MR to offer you greater detail having an extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs more aggressively. The more aged SZ-30MR is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus TG-820 iHS sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus TG-820 iHS Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus TG-820 iHS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus TG-820 iHS as a Portrait photography camera
34
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
supports face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
27
offers face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Street photography advice
Olympus TG-820 iHS Street photography advice
60
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (226g)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment sealing
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Sports photography highlights
Olympus TG-820 iHS Sports photography highlights
41
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16MP)
supports tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (220 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers tracking focus
environment sealing
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery life (220 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR as a Travel photography camera
Olympus TG-820 iHS as a Travel photography camera
65
lighter than average in class (226 grams)
megapixel count good (16MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
no Timelapse mode
bad battery pack (220 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
59
environment sealing
built-in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse mode
low battery life (220 shots)
resolution not great (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.9)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Landscape photography info
Olympus TG-820 iHS Landscape photography info
41
fairly wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
no manual mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
bad battery pack (220 shots)
no Timelapse mode
38
relatively wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment sealing
lack of manual focus
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.9)
manual mode not possible
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
low battery life (220 per charge)
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Vlogging highlights
Olympus TG-820 iHS Vlogging highlights
34
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average in class (226g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
no microphone port
33
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.9)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing microphone socket
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus TG-820 iHS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-30MR and Olympus TG-820 iHS
 Olympus SZ-30MROlympus TG-820 iHS
General Information
Company Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus SZ-30MR Olympus TG-820 iHS
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Launched 2011-03-02 2012-02-08
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III+ TruePic VI
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 area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 -
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 3968 x 2976
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.9-5.9
Macro focus range 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 1,030 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT Hypercrystal III Color LCD HyperCrystal III TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1700s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.00 m 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
External flash
AE bracketing
WB 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 (30 fps)1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226g (0.50 pounds) 206g (0.45 pounds)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 101 x 65 x 26mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.0")
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 photos 220 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B LI-50B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $279 $500