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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus TG-3

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
39
Overall
39
Olympus SZ-30MR front
 
Olympus Tough TG-3 front
Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
46
Overall
42

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus TG-3 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
  • Introduced March 2011
Olympus TG-3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 247g - 112 x 66 x 31mm
  • Introduced March 2014
  • Updated by Olympus TG-4
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus TG-3 Overview

The following is a extensive assessment of the Olympus SZ-30MR and Olympus TG-3, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Waterproof and they are both produced by Olympus. The sensor resolution of the SZ-30MR (16MP) and the TG-3 (16MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras have the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SZ-30MR was unveiled 4 years earlier than the TG-3 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick summation of how the SZ-30MR matches up vs the TG-3 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-30MR over the Olympus TG-3

 SZ-30MR TG-3 

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-3 over the Olympus SZ-30MR

 TG-3 SZ-30MR 
IntroducedMarch 2014March 2011Newer by 37 months

Common features in the Olympus SZ-30MR and Olympus TG-3

 SZ-30MR TG-3 
Manual focus No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size
Display resolution460k460kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus TG-3 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you will need to factor its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-30MR enjoys exterior measurements 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 TG-3 has specifications of 112mm x 66mm x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 247 grams (0.54 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus SZ-30MR and Olympus TG-3 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the SZ-30MR versus the TG-3.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus TG-3 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-30MR and TG-3 is 89 and 90 respectively.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus TG-3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus TG-3 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be hard to picture the gap in sensor dimensions purely by seeing technical specs. The pic underneath will help offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-30MR and TG-3.

As you have seen, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the exact same MP so you should expect comparable quality of photographs although you will need to take the production date of the cameras into account. The more aged SZ-30MR will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus TG-3 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus TG-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus TG-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus TG-3 as a Portrait photography camera
34
MP count good (16MP)
comes with face detect focus
manual focus not available
no manual mode
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
37
good resolution (16MP)
features face detection focus
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Street photography details
Olympus TG-3 Street photography details
60
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (226g)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
59
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proofing
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
heavier than competitors (247 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Sports photography highlights
Olympus TG-3 Sports photography highlights
41
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
low fps (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (220 shots)
lacks phase detect auto focus
47
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
environment proofing
great battery life (330 CIPA)
slow frames per second (5.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR as a Travel photography camera
Olympus TG-3 as a Travel photography camera
65
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
missing Timelapse mode
not so great battery pack (220 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
74
great battery life (330 per charge)
environment proofing
good resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
heavier than competitors (247 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-30MR
Landscape photography with Olympus TG-3
41
relatively wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16MP)
manual focus not available
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
no manual mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
not so great battery pack (220 CIPA)
missing Timelapse mode
56
fairly wide (25mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
environment proofing
great battery life (330 per charge)
lack of manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SZ-30MR
Vlogging with Olympus TG-3
34
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing microphone socket
34
fairly wide (25mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
no external mic jack
heavier than competitors (247 grams)
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus TG-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-30MR and Olympus TG-3
 Olympus SZ-30MROlympus Tough TG-3
General Information
Company Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus SZ-30MR Olympus Tough TG-3
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Introduced 2011-03-02 2014-03-31
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic III+ TruePic VII
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/2.0-4.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT Hypercrystal III Color LCD TFT-LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1700s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.00 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off, LED
External flash
AEB
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 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4 H.264, Motion JPEG
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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226g (0.50 lbs) 247g (0.54 lbs)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 112 x 66 x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2")
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 images 330 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B LI-92B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $279 $350