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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus XZ-1

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
39
Overall
39
Olympus SZ-30MR front
 
Olympus XZ-1 front
Portability
88
Imaging
35
Features
51
Overall
41

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus XZ-1 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-30MR
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • 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 XZ-1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
  • 275g - 111 x 65 x 42mm
  • Released January 2011
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus XZ-1 Overview

Here is a thorough assessment of the Olympus SZ-30MR versus Olympus XZ-1, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are offered by Olympus. There is a significant difference between the sensor resolutions of the SZ-30MR (16MP) and XZ-1 (10MP) and the SZ-30MR (1/2.3") and XZ-1 (1/1.63") provide totally different sensor dimensions.

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The SZ-30MR was revealed 2 months later than the XZ-1 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick summary of how the SZ-30MR scores against the XZ-1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-30MR over the Olympus XZ-1

 SZ-30MR XZ-1 

Reasons to pick Olympus XZ-1 over the Olympus SZ-30MR

 XZ-1 SZ-30MR 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Screen resolution614k460kCrisper screen (+154k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SZ-30MR and Olympus XZ-1

 SZ-30MR XZ-1 
ReleasedMarch 2011January 2011Similar generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus XZ-1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera often, you will want to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-30MR provides exterior measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Olympus XZ-1 has proportions of 111mm x 65mm x 42mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7") with a weight of 275 grams (0.61 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus SZ-30MR versus Olympus XZ-1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the SZ-30MR versus the XZ-1.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus XZ-1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-30MR and XZ-1 is 89 and 88 respectively.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus XZ-1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus XZ-1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its hard to see the difference between sensor sizing merely by looking at specifications. The photograph here will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-30MR and XZ-1.

To sum up, both of the cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The SZ-30MR having a tinier sensor will make shooting shallower DOF tougher and the Olympus SZ-30MR will give greater detail because of its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs a bit more aggressively.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus XZ-1 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus XZ-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus XZ-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-30MR
Portrait photography with Olympus XZ-1
34
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
comes with face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
45
manual focus
features face detection focus
saves RAW files
MP count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/1.63")
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR as a Street photography camera
Olympus XZ-1 as a Street photography camera
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors in class (226 grams)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
59
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW files
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/1.63")
heavier than competition (275 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Sports photography information
Olympus XZ-1 Sports photography information
41
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery life (220 shots)
lacks phase detect autofocus
38
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features tracking autofocus
good battery (320 shots)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/1.63")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Travel photography highlights
Olympus XZ-1 Travel photography highlights
65
lighter than competitors in class (226 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
no Timelapse mode
bad battery life (220 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
62
good battery (320 CIPA)
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
no Time Lapse function
heavier than competition (275g)
MP count low (10MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Landscape photography info
Olympus XZ-1 Landscape photography info
41
reasonably wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
no manual control
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
bad battery life (220 per charge)
no Timelapse mode
54
manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW files
good battery (320 per charge)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
MP count low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.63")
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Vlogging information
Olympus XZ-1 Vlogging information
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors in class (226g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no external microphone jack
31
rather wide (28mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection focus
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external mic jack
heavier than competition (275g)
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus XZ-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-30MR and Olympus XZ-1
 Olympus SZ-30MROlympus XZ-1
General Information
Make Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus SZ-30MR Olympus XZ-1
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-03-02 2011-01-26
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic III+ TruePic V
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.63"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 8.07 x 5.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 44.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 3664 x 2752
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 11
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/1.8-2.5
Macro focus range 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 4.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 614 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology TFT Hypercrystal III Color LCD OLED
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1700 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.00 m 8.60 m (ISO 800)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps)1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226g (0.50 pounds) 275g (0.61 pounds)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 111 x 65 x 42mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 34
DXO Color Depth score not tested 18.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 10.4
DXO Low light score not tested 117
Other
Battery life 220 pictures 320 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B Li-50B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $279 $567