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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic FH2

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
39
Overall
39
Olympus SZ-30MR front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
33
Overall
35

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic FH2 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 FH2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 121g - 94 x 54 x 19mm
  • Announced January 2011
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FS16
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic FH2 Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Olympus SZ-30MR versus Panasonic FH2, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SZ-30MR (16MP) and the FH2 (14MP) is pretty comparable and both cameras posses the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SZ-30MR was manufactured 2 months after the FH2 and they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving straight to a full comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the SZ-30MR grades against the FH2 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-30MR over the Panasonic FH2

 SZ-30MR FH2 
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH2 over the Olympus SZ-30MR

 FH2 SZ-30MR 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-30MR and Panasonic FH2

 SZ-30MR FH2 
AnnouncedMarch 2011January 2011Same generation
Manually focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic FH2 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to travel with your camera regularly, you will have to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-30MR has got outer dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") having a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Panasonic FH2 has measurements of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus SZ-30MR versus Panasonic FH2 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you select during that time. Following is a front view size comparison of the SZ-30MR vs the FH2.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic FH2 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-30MR and FH2 is 89 and 96 respectively.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic FH2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic FH2 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its tough to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions only by going through specifications. The image below will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-30MR and FH2.

To sum up, both the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different resolution. You should expect the Olympus SZ-30MR to produce greater detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots way more aggressively.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic FH2 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic FH2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic FH2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Portrait photography details
Panasonic FH2 Portrait photography details
34
decent megapixels (16MP)
provides face detect focus
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
33
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
has face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FH2 as a Street photography camera
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others (226 grams)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
67
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with touch focus
lighter than others in class (121g)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SZ-30MR
Sports photography with Panasonic FH2
41
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
max fps low (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery (220 CIPA)
no phase detect auto focus
43
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
has tracking focus
better than average battery life (270 per charge)
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Travel photography features
Panasonic FH2 Travel photography features
65
lighter than others (226g)
decent megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
bad battery (220 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
72
better than average battery life (270 CIPA)
lighter than others in class (121 grams)
comes with touch focus
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Landscape photography information
Panasonic FH2 Landscape photography information
41
rather wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16MP)
no manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not available
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
bad battery (220 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse function
41
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
better than average battery life (270 per charge)
focusing manually not possible
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7")
no manual control
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SZ-30MR
Vlogging with Panasonic FH2
34
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (226g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have mic port
32
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
lighter than others in class (121g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing mic support
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic FH2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-30MR and Panasonic FH2
 Olympus SZ-30MRPanasonic Lumix DMC-FH2
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus SZ-30MR Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-FS16
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2011-03-02 2011-01-05
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III+ Venus Engine IV
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
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)
Highest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.1-6.5
Macro focus distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT Hypercrystal III Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1700s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.00 m 3.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
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), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226 gr (0.50 lb) 121 gr (0.27 lb)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 pictures 270 pictures
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch cost $279 $149