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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus VH-515

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
39
Overall
39
Olympus SZ-30MR front
 
Olympus VH-515 front
Portability
95
Imaging
36
Features
34
Overall
35

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus VH-515 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 VH-515
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 152g - 102 x 60 x 21mm
  • Released August 2012
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus VH-515 Overview

In this article, we will be matching up the Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus VH-515, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both are sold by Olympus. There exists a large gap among the resolutions of the SZ-30MR (16MP) and VH-515 (12MP) but they possess the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ-30MR was revealed 17 months prior to the VH-515 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving through a detailed comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the SZ-30MR matches up against the VH-515 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-30MR over the Olympus VH-515

 SZ-30MR VH-515 

Reasons to pick Olympus VH-515 over the Olympus SZ-30MR

 VH-515 SZ-30MR 
ReleasedAugust 2012March 2011More modern by 17 months
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus SZ-30MR and Olympus VH-515

 SZ-30MR VH-515 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Screen resolution460k460kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus VH-515 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry around your camera frequently, you are going to need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-30MR comes with exterior measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Olympus VH-515 has dimensions of 102mm x 60mm x 21mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 0.8") and a weight of 152 grams (0.34 lbs).

Examine the Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus VH-515 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the SZ-30MR against the VH-515.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus VH-515 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-30MR and VH-515 is 89 and 95 respectively.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus VH-515 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus VH-515 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very tough to see the contrast in sensor sizes simply by seeing specifications. The image here should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-30MR and VH-515.

Plainly, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You can expect the Olympus SZ-30MR to show extra detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots far more aggressively. The more aged SZ-30MR will be behind in sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus VH-515 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus VH-515 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus VH-515 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-30MR
Portrait photography with Olympus VH-515
34
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
offers face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
27
supports face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
can't use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Street photography advice
Olympus VH-515 Street photography advice
60
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
62
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides focus by touch
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Sports photography advice
Olympus VH-515 Sports photography advice
41
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (220 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
32
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR as a Travel photography camera
Olympus VH-515 as a Travel photography camera
65
lighter than competition in class (226g)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
bad battery pack (220 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
62
provides focus by touch
flash built-in
fairly wide (26mm)
no Timelapse recording
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-30MR
Landscape photography with Olympus VH-515
41
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not available
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
bad battery pack (220 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse recording
37
fairly wide (26mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
no manual mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Vlogging highlights
Olympus VH-515 Vlogging highlights
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (226g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have external mic port
35
fairly wide (26mm)
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
no external microphone port
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus VH-515 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-30MR and Olympus VH-515
 Olympus SZ-30MROlympus VH-515
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus SZ-30MR Olympus VH-515
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-03-02 2012-08-21
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic III+ TruePic III+
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 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 3200 1600
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/2.8-6.5
Macro focus range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech TFT Hypercrystal III Color LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/1700s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.00 m 4.70 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
External flash
Auto exposure 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 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30,15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 180 (30,15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226 gr (0.50 lbs) 152 gr (0.34 lbs)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 102 x 60 x 21mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model LI-50B LI-50B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Retail price $279 $648