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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus TG-5

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
39
Overall
39
Olympus SZ-30MR front
 
Olympus Tough TG-5 front
Portability
90
Imaging
38
Features
51
Overall
43

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus TG-5 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-5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 12800)
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 250g - 113 x 66 x 32mm
  • Revealed May 2017
  • Old Model is Olympus TG-4
  • Renewed by Olympus TG-6
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus TG-5 Overview

Its time to take a deeper look at the Olympus SZ-30MR versus Olympus TG-5, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Waterproof and they are both offered by Olympus. There is a noticeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the SZ-30MR (16MP) and TG-5 (12MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SZ-30MR was introduced 7 years before the TG-5 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a complete comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the SZ-30MR matches up vs the TG-5 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-5

 SZ-30MR TG-5 

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-5 over the Olympus SZ-30MR

 TG-5 SZ-30MR 
RevealedMay 2017March 2011More modern by 75 months
Manual focus Very accurate focus

Common features in the Olympus SZ-30MR and Olympus TG-5

 SZ-30MR TG-5 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Screen resolution460k460kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus TG-5 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera regularly, you have to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-30MR has got outside dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") and a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Olympus TG-5 has proportions of 113mm x 66mm x 32mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") along with a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs).

Look at the Olympus SZ-30MR versus Olympus TG-5 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilizing at the time. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the SZ-30MR against the TG-5.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus TG-5 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-30MR and TG-5 is 89 and 90 respectively.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus TG-5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus TG-5 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very tough to visualise the difference in sensor sizes simply by checking out technical specs. The picture here might offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-30MR and TG-5.

As you have seen, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You can expect the Olympus SZ-30MR to provide extra detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots a little more aggressively. The more aged SZ-30MR will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus TG-5 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus TG-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus TG-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Portrait photography details
Olympus TG-5 Portrait photography details
34
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has face detection focus
manual focus not available
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
39
you can focus manually
includes face detection focus
supports RAW files
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Street photography advice
Olympus TG-5 Street photography advice
60
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (226g)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
64
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW files
weather proof
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
more heavy than others in class (250g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Sports photography features
Olympus TG-5 Sports photography features
41
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16MP)
has tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery power (220 CIPA)
lacks phase detect auto focus
46
high max fps (20.0 fps)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes tracking autofocus
weather proof
great battery pack (340 CIPA)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SZ-30MR
Travel photography with Olympus TG-5
65
lighter than competition (226g)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
bad battery power (220 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
68
great battery pack (340 CIPA)
weather proof
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
more heavy than others in class (250 grams)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-30MR
Landscape photography with Olympus TG-5
41
decently wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
no manual mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
bad battery power (220 shots)
does not have Time Lapse recording
57
you can focus manually
relatively wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW files
weather proof
great battery pack (340 CIPA)
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
no manual control
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SZ-30MR
Vlogging with Olympus TG-5
34
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (226 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have external mic socket
34
relatively wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection focus
great video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does not have selfie friendly display
no external microphone jack
more heavy than others in class (250g)
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus TG-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-30MR and Olympus TG-5
 Olympus SZ-30MROlympus Tough TG-5
General Information
Make Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus SZ-30MR Olympus Tough TG-5
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Introduced 2011-03-02 2017-05-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic III+ TruePic VIII
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 16MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 12800
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Lowest enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 25
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/2.0-4.9
Macro focus distance 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT Hypercrystal III Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1700 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps 20.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.00 m -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, redeye slow sync, fill, manual, off
External flash
AE 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) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone 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 Built-in
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226 gr (0.50 lbs) 250 gr (0.55 lbs)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 113 x 66 x 32mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3")
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 photographs 340 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B LI-92B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I compatible)
Storage slots Single Single
Retail pricing $279 $449