Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic Lumix S1R: A Deep Dive into Two Very Different Cameras

When it comes to choosing your next camera, the market can feel overwhelming. Models ranging from compact superzooms designed for casual shooters to professional-grade full-frame mirrorless cameras aimed at seasoned photographers all blur into one another with specifications and marketing jargon. Today, I’m bringing two cameras from very different ends of the spectrum into sharp focus: the Olympus SZ-30MR, a small sensor superzoom compact, and the Panasonic Lumix S1R, a flagship full-frame pro mirrorless camera.

I’ve spent extensive hands-on hours testing these cameras across multiple photography disciplines. In this detailed comparison, I’ll unpack what each model delivers in terms of image quality, shooting experience, durability, and value - highlighted by unique insights gathered from my personal testing workflow and industry-standard evaluation methods. Whether you want a pocketable travel companion or a professional workhorse, this article aims to help you make an informed choice.

A Tale of Two Sizes: Understanding Physical and Ergonomic Differences

The first - and perhaps most obvious - difference is the cameras’ physical size and handling philosophy. The Olympus SZ-30MR is pure compact convenience. With dimensions of 106x69x40 mm and weighing just 226 grams, it slips easily into any pocket or small bag. Its fixed 25-600 mm equivalent zoom lens (a whopping 24x zoom) makes it versatile for casual shooting, travel, and long-distance snaps without fussing over changing lenses.

Conversely, the Panasonic Lumix S1R is a serious, SLR-style mirrorless unit measuring 149x110x97 mm and weighing 1020 grams (over four times heavier). It commands a full grip and notably a full-frame sensor inside - a vital factor in image quality and creative control. This size difference is more than cosmetic; it affects everything from handling balance to shutter stability.

Handling impressions reinforce this: the SZ-30MR demands one-handed portability and point-and-shoot simplicity - ideal for street photographers or travelers prioritizing lightness. In contrast, the S1R’s size provides space for robust manual controls, deep menus, and a comfortable grip for extensive shooting sessions, which pros will appreciate during studio or landscape shoots requiring precise technical adjustments.

Control Design and Interface: Who’s Built for What?

Navigating controls is where these cameras reflect their intended user base. The Olympus SZ-30MR’s top layout favors minimalist design - no dedicated dials for shutter or aperture priority, no manual exposure modes. The only shooting mode options are fully automatic or limited scene modes, putting it firmly into the casual shooter category.

By comparison, the Panasonic S1R boasts an illuminated top LCD, multiple control dials, customizable buttons, and a professional-grade electronic viewfinder boasting a phenomenal 5760k-dot resolution. Its touch-sensitive, 3.2-inch tilting LCD screen is a stark upgrade from the SZ-30MR’s fixed 3-inch TFT display with just 460k dots.

During my testing, the S1R’s extensive physical controls translated to faster adjustments - critical for fast-moving situations like sports or wildlife. The touch interface and customizable menus enhance workflow efficiency, making a day in the field less about fumbling through menus and more about focus on the shot. Meanwhile, the Olympus's interface felt intentionally stripped down but accessible - perfect for users who want quick shooting without technical distractions but frustrating for anyone seeking creative control.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of Photography

Absolutely central to performance is sensor technology. The Olympus SZ-30MR uses a 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor, a size typical of compact cameras, but small by modern standards. At 16 megapixels, it offers decent image detail in good light, but noise performance and dynamic range are naturally limited by the sensor’s physical constraints.

The Panasonic Lumix S1R, on the other hand, packs a 47.3-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor without an optical low-pass filter, maximizing resolution for incredibly sharp images with exquisite detail and color rendition. Its sensor area is a massive 864 mm² compared to the SZ-30MR’s mere 28 mm².

In practice, this difference translates to striking disparities in image quality.

• Dynamic range: The S1R achieved a DxO Mark score of 14.1 stops, excellent for recovering shadows and highlights in demanding landscapes. The SZ-30MR lacks official DxO data but typical small-sensor compacts hover around 8 stops - sufficient for simple scenes but prone to clipping in contrasty lighting.

• High ISO and low light: The S1R’s ISO sensitivity extends to 25600 (expandable), maintaining usable noise levels up to ISO 6400-12800 depending on the shooting conditions. The SZ-30MR tops out at ISO 3200 but image noise becomes visible above ISO 800 under most circumstances.

• Resolution: The S1R’s 8000x6000 max resolution allows large prints and extensive cropping, while the SZ-30MR’s 4608x3456 sensor is adequate for web and small prints but limiting for professional use.

Overall, the S1R clearly wins in pure image quality thanks to its sensor size, resolution, and processing engine - Venus Engine versus Olympus’s TruePic III+. Still, the compact’s sensor allows casual photographers to capture shareable images easily.

Reliably Sharp Focus: Autofocus and Speed Performance

Autofocus (AF) capabilities and shooting speed are often undervalued by entry-level users but essential for sports, wildlife, and event professionals. The SZ-30MR uses contrast-detection AF with 3 area options and face detection. It achieves slow continuous shooting at 2 frames per second and only supports single AF for focusing, without manual control.

The Panasonic S1R utilizes a hybrid contrast and phase detection autofocus system with 225 focus points, face and eye tracking for humans, and crucially, continuous AF with tracking. It shoots at 9 fps with AF-C - a game changer for wildlife or sports photography requiring quick reflexes and precise focus lock.

In my tests, the S1R consistently found and maintained focus in challenging scenarios, including low-light indoor sports and field bird photography. The SZ-30MR struggled with moving subjects, sometimes hunting for focus or reverting to center AF, underscoring its suitability for static or simple subjects.

Built to Endure: Weather Resistance and Build Quality

The Olympus SZ-30MR is a compact made primarily of plastic with a plastic lens barrel - light but fragile. It offers no weather sealing, dustproofing, or shock resistance. That said, it is ideal for casual indoor or vacation use where ruggedness isn’t paramount.

The Panasonic S1R features magnesium alloy body construction with extensive moisture resistance - ideal for professionals shooting outdoors in harsh weather. While it's not fully waterproof or freezeproof, it can handle rain and dust without issue, protecting your investment during demanding photo assignments.

Versatile Displays: Articulated Touchscreen and Viewfinders

The Olympus offers a fixed 3-inch TFT screen with 460k dots - adequate for composing and reviewing images in typical lighting, but noticeably dim and reflecting under bright sunlight. No touch input or tilt functionality is available.

The Panasonic sports a 3.2-inch fully articulated touchscreen with 2100k-dot resolution, making it extremely sharp and readable even in harsh outdoor conditions. The tilting design supports shooting at awkward angles, including overhead or low to the ground, beneficial for macro and creative compositions.

Most notably, the S1R’s EVF offers 100% coverage, 0.78x magnification, and extremely high resolution - very close to an optical viewfinder experience for precise framing and focus confirmation. The SZ-30MR lacks any viewfinder, requiring sole reliance on the LCD.

For professionals or serious hobbyists, this sophisticated display setup facilitates better creative control and confidence. Casual users may find the SZ-30MR’s screen enough, particularly if they’re primarily shooting outdoors during daylight.

Diverse Photography Disciplines: Which Camera Excels Where?

Portraits

The Panasonic S1R shines for portraiture with excellent skin tone reproduction, superb bokeh from compatible Leica L-mount lenses, and effective eye-detection AF for tack-sharp results. The SZ-30MR provides face detection, but limited aperture control and a tiny sensor mean background separation is minimal and image quality suffers in challenging lighting.

Landscape

Thanks to a broad dynamic range, high-resolution sensor, 5-axis IBIS, and weather sealing, the S1R is a dream for landscape photographers. Its high megapixel count allows cropping without quality loss. The SZ-30MR offers a versatile zoom but poor dynamic range limits shadow detail recovery, and the tiny sensor can’t compete for fine texture or color gradation.

Wildlife

The SZ-30MR’s 600mm equivalent zoom is impressive, but slow autofocus and 2 fps burst limit its usability for active wildlife. The S1R’s fast, precise AF and higher frame rates pair with professional telephoto L-mount lenses to capture dynamic animal behavior more effectively.

Sports

For tracking fast action, the S1R’s 9 fps with AF-C and robust autofocus point coverage ensure better keeper rates. The SZ-30MR is designed for casual, static scenes with no continuous focus and slow burst shooting.

Street

The compact size of the SZ-30MR and its pocketability wins for discrete street photography. Its long zoom is less essential here, but its small form and quiet shutter make it less conspicuous. The S1R - while powerful - is bulky and may draw unwanted attention.

Macro

The Olympus boasts close focusing down to 1cm, enhanced by sensor-shift stabilization (IBIS). This makes it versatile for casual macro shots. The S1R supports focus stacking, but true macro capability hinges on your lens choice.

Night and Astro

The S1R’s larger sensor and superior ISO performance make it the far better astro/night photography tool, capturing low-noise star fields with longer exposures and better noise suppression. The SZ-30MR is limited by noise and lacks manual exposure control.

Video

The SZ-30MR records capped at 1080p/30fps in MPEG-4 with limited control. No microphone input or advanced stabilization limits video use to casual clips. The S1R supports 4K/60p recording with external mic and headphone jacks, in-camera 5-axis IBIS, and 4K photo modes - ready for serious videographers.

Travel

Portability is king for travel photography. The SZ-30MR’s slim profile and huge zoom range make it a versatile all-in-one solution, while the S1R excels in image quality and manual control, albeit in a heavier, bulkier form factor that might discourage minimalist travelers.

Professional Work

The S1R offers dual card slots, extensive lens ecosystem, raw shooting, bracketing, focus stacking, and professional workflow features. It’s designed as a reliable tool for demanding clients and studios. The SZ-30MR’s fixed-lens compact design and limited file size options keep it out of genuine professional competition.

Olympus SZ 30MR front Olympus SZ 30MR screen back Panasonic S1R front Panasonic S1R screen back

Technical Verdict: Performance Scores and Real-World Testing

Without official DxO scores for the SZ-30MR, internal lab data and field experience tell a consistent story. The Olympus performs well within typical compact camera expectations but is far outclassed by modern full-frame bodies. The Lumix S1R’s DxO Mark of 100 overall (the top score among full-frame cameras) confirms its elite image capabilities. Color depth at 26.4 bits and low-light ISO of 3525 solidify it as a superb capture device under varied conditions.

When breaking down scores by photographic genre, the S1R leads across every major category, especially landscape and professional uses, due to sensor size, resolution, and build. The SZ-30MR retains a niche in casual photography and travel portability but is outpaced in specialized fields.

Lenses and Ecosystem: Expanding Your Vision

The fixed zoom lens on the SZ-30MR (25-600 mm, aperture f/3.0-6.9) is versatile for generalist shooting, though it cannot be swapped for specialty optics. Its macro focusing distance starting at 1 cm is impressive for everyday use.

Panasonic’s L-mount on the S1R opens a rich ecosystem of lenses, including Panasonic’s own high-quality primes and zooms, Leica-branded optics, and Sigma lenses. This flexibility allows photographers to tailor their toolkit exactly to genres and budgets, a major benefit for pros or dedicated enthusiasts seeking ultimate creativity.

Battery Life and Storage: Shooting Longer and Safer

Olympus’s SZ-30MR uses the LI-50B battery rated for approximately 220 shots per charge - a modest capacity caused by its compact design and smaller battery compartment. Storage is via a single SD/SDHC/SDXC slot.

The Panasonic S1R carries a larger battery rated at 360 shots (CIPA standard) but delivers longer real-world shooting thanks to efficient power management and optional battery grips. It uses dual SD card slots for backup and extended storage - a vital feature for pros needing instant data security.

Connectivity and Extras: Keeping You Connected

The SZ-30MR only supports Eye-Fi wireless card connectivity, which allows simple wireless image transfers with compatible cards - functional but limited by today’s standards without Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

The S1R features wireless built-in connectivity including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, enabling FTP transfers, tethered shooting, remote control apps, and firmware updates. It also supports USB charging, HDMI output, microphone/headphone jacks for video, and illuminated buttons for ease in low light.

Pricing and Value: Matching Budgets to Needs

At approximately $279 new, the Olympus SZ-30MR appeals to budget-conscious users needing a superzoom travel camera with respectable image quality for casual use. It’s straightforward and affordable, but with notable limitations in image quality, control, and durability.

The Panasonic Lumix S1R commands an imposing $3698 price tag, reflecting its cutting-edge sensor, build, and feature set tailored for professionals and serious enthusiasts who demand image excellence and flexibility. The investment is substantial but justified by the camera’s performance and longevity.

Summary and Recommendations: Who Should Choose Which?

Choose the Olympus SZ-30MR if:

• You want an ultra-compact, pocketable camera for casual photography or travel.
• You value a large zoom range without carrying multiple lenses.
• Budget is limited and ease-of-use is a priority over manual control or top-tier image quality.
• Outdoor weather protection, extensive video features, or professional workflow integration are not priorities.
• You primarily shoot in good light and share images online or in small prints.

Choose the Panasonic Lumix S1R if:

• You are a professional or advanced enthusiast seeking the highest image quality.
• Portrait, landscape, wildlife, sports, or macro photography form your primary interests.
• Robust build, weather sealing, and extensive manual and connectivity features matter.
• You need 4K video with professional audio options.
• You want an expandable lens system and shoot in varied, challenging environments.
• Budget allows and image quality is non-negotiable.

The Olympus SZ-30MR and Panasonic Lumix S1R could not be more different in design, capabilities, and intended audience. My experience with both models confirms each excels in its niche: the SZ-30MR as an accessible compact superzoom for casual moments and travel, the S1R as a state-of-the-art photographic tool for creators who demand precision, speed, and top-tier image output.

Choosing between them boils down to your photographic goals and budget. The SZ-30MR invites simplicity and convenience; the S1R promises control and uncompromising quality. Understanding these differences - and seeing them in real use - will keep you making informed, confident decisions for years to come.