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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic G9

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
39
Overall
39
Olympus SZ-30MR front
 
Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 front
Portability
62
Imaging
60
Features
90
Overall
72

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic G9 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
  • Released March 2011
Panasonic G9
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 658g - 137 x 97 x 92mm
  • Announced November 2017
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic G9 Overview

Let's examine more closely at the Olympus SZ-30MR and Panasonic G9, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SZ-30MR (16MP) and the G9 (20MP) is relatively well matched but the SZ-30MR (1/2.3") and G9 (Four Thirds) come with totally different sensor measurements.

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The SZ-30MR was unveiled 7 years before the G9 which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SZ-30MR being a Compact camera and the Panasonic G9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before going through a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple summary of how the SZ-30MR matches up versus the G9 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-30MR over the Panasonic G9

 SZ-30MR G9 

Reasons to pick Panasonic G9 over the Olympus SZ-30MR

 G9 SZ-30MR 
AnnouncedNovember 2017March 2011Newer by 81 months
Manually focus Very exact focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1040k460kSharper screen (+580k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus SZ-30MR and Panasonic G9

 SZ-30MR G9 
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurements

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic G9 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to travel with your camera, you are going to need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-30MR provides outer dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Panasonic G9 has proportions of 137mm x 97mm x 92mm (5.4" x 3.8" x 3.6") and a weight of 658 grams (1.45 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus SZ-30MR and Panasonic G9 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you choose at the time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the SZ-30MR compared to the G9.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic G9 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-30MR and G9 is 89 and 62 respectively.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic G9 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic G9 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's hard to envision the gap between sensor dimensions just by looking at specs. The image here may give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-30MR and G9.

All in all, both cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The SZ-30MR with its tinier sensor will make getting shallow depth of field harder and the Panasonic G9 will give you greater detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots much more aggressively. The more aged SZ-30MR is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic G9 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic G9 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic G9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-30MR
Portrait photography with Panasonic G9
34
decent MP (16MP)
has face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
76
has manual focus
decent MP (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Street photography advice
Panasonic G9 Street photography advice
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (226g)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
75
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
features focus via touch
weather proofing
very good high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Sports photography information
Panasonic G9 Sports photography information
41
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (220 CIPA)
lack of phase detect autofocus
70
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent shooting (1/32,000s)
fast shooting (20.0 fps)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (20MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
weather proofing
not so great battery power (400 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SZ-30MR
Travel photography with Panasonic G9
65
lighter than competition (226g)
decent MP (16MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
missing Timelapse mode
terrible battery pack (220 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
70
weather proofing
connects via bluetooth
features focus via touch
decent MP (20MP)
selfie friendly display
not so great battery power (400 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Landscape photography details
Panasonic G9 Landscape photography details
41
rather wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
terrible battery pack (220 CIPA)
missing Timelapse mode
76
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (20MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
very good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
has double storage slots
not so great battery power (400 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Vlogging information
Panasonic G9 Vlogging information
34
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (226g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing external microphone port
76
selfie friendly display
touch screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect focus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
comes with microphone port
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic G9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-30MR and Panasonic G9
 Olympus SZ-30MRPanasonic Lumix DC-G9
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SZ-30MR Panasonic Lumix DC-G9
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Pro Mirrorless
Released 2011-03-02 2017-11-08
Body design Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III+ -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 5184 x 3888
Maximum native ISO 3200 25600
Lowest native ISO 80 200
RAW pictures
Lowest boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 225
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.0-6.9 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Available lenses - 107
Crop factor 5.8 2.1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 1,040 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT Hypercrystal III Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,680 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.83x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1700 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Highest silent shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps 20.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.00 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
AE 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) 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226 gr (0.50 lb) 658 gr (1.45 lb)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 137 x 97 x 92mm (5.4" x 3.8" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 400 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B DMW-BLF19
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II supported)
Storage slots One Dual
Cost at launch $279 $1,500