Clicky

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
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

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").

Photography Glossary

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.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images 
	
	

		

		
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	

	
			Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes	

	
	
	
	

	

		
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
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban
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
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide
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
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards
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)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms
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
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone
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
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video
	

		

			
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