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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic FH5

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
39
Overall
39
Olympus SZ-30MR front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
31
Overall
35

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic FH5 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
  • Announced March 2011
Panasonic FH5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 121g - 94 x 54 x 19mm
  • Introduced January 2011
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-FS18
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic FH5 Overview

On this page, we are reviewing the Olympus SZ-30MR and Panasonic FH5, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SZ-30MR (16MP) and the FH5 (16MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras offer the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SZ-30MR was revealed 2 months later than the FH5 so they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise summary of how the SZ-30MR matches up versus the FH5 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-30MR over the Panasonic FH5

 SZ-30MR FH5 
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH5 over the Olympus SZ-30MR

 FH5 SZ-30MR 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-30MR and Panasonic FH5

 SZ-30MR FH5 
IntroducedMarch 2011January 2011Same generation
Focus manually No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic FH5 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry your camera frequently, you need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-30MR has got outside measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") having a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FH5 has measurements of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") having a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs).

Compare the Olympus SZ-30MR and Panasonic FH5 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are employing at that time. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the SZ-30MR compared to the FH5.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic FH5 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-30MR and FH5 is 89 and 96 respectively.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic FH5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic FH5 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be hard to see the gap in sensor sizing merely by seeing a spec sheet. The graphic below might offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-30MR and FH5.

Clearly, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the same resolution so you should expect comparable quality of images although you have to consider the production date of the cameras into account.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic FH5 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic FH5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic FH5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic FH5 as a Portrait photography camera
34
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has face detection focus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
34
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
offers face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Street photography info
Panasonic FH5 Street photography info
60
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
67
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports touch focus
lighter than others (121g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Sports photography highlights
Panasonic FH5 Sports photography highlights
41
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (220 shots)
has no phase detect auto focus
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (4.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Travel photography factors
Panasonic FH5 Travel photography factors
65
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
bad battery pack (220 shots)
does not have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
71
lighter than others (121g)
supports touch focus
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
does not contain selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Landscape photography information
Panasonic FH5 Landscape photography information
41
reasonably wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
bad battery pack (220 shots)
lack of Timelapse recording
38
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual mode not available
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Vlogging details
Panasonic FH5 Vlogging details
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
does not have selfie friendly screen
lack of external microphone port
33
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
lighter than others (121 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic port
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic FH5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-30MR and Panasonic FH5
 Olympus SZ-30MRPanasonic Lumix DMC-FH5
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus SZ-30MR Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5
Also called as - Lumix DMC-FS18
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2011-03-02 2011-01-05
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
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)
Maximum aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.1-6.5
Macro focus range 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology TFT Hypercrystal III Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/1700s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per sec 4.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Custom WB
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
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 226 gr (0.50 pounds) 121 gr (0.27 pounds)
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 images 260 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $279 $169