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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic FH8

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
39
Overall
39
Olympus SZ-30MR front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
32
Overall
36

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic FH8 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-30MR
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
  • Launched March 2011
Panasonic FH8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-6.4) lens
  • 123g - 96 x 57 x 19mm
  • Revealed January 2012
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic FH8 Overview

Following is a in depth review of the Olympus SZ-30MR and Panasonic FH8, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SZ-30MR (16MP) and the FH8 (16MP) is relatively similar and both cameras provide the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ-30MR was released 10 months before the FH8 so they are of a similar age. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a in depth comparison, here is a short highlight of how the SZ-30MR grades against the FH8 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-30MR over the Panasonic FH8

 SZ-30MR FH8 
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH8 over the Olympus SZ-30MR

 FH8 SZ-30MR 
RevealedJanuary 2012March 2011More modern by 10 months

Common features in the Olympus SZ-30MR and Panasonic FH8

 SZ-30MR FH8 
Focus manually No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic FH8 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry around your camera, you will want to consider its weight and size. 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) and the Panasonic FH8 has specifications of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") and a weight of 123 grams (0.27 lbs).

Examine the Olympus SZ-30MR and Panasonic FH8 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have attached at that moment. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the SZ-30MR against the FH8.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic FH8 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-30MR and FH8 is 89 and 96 respectively.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic FH8 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic FH8 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is hard to envision the gap between sensor sizes only by reading specs. The image here may offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-30MR and FH8.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras feature the identical sensor size and the identical MP so you can expect similar quality of photographs though you would want to consider the launch date of the products into consideration. The more aged SZ-30MR is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic FH8 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic FH8 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic FH8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Portrait photography details
Panasonic FH8 Portrait photography details
34
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
comes with face detection focus
no manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
34
good resolution (16MP)
provides face detection autofocus
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Street photography factors
Panasonic FH8 Street photography factors
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (226 grams)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (123g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SZ-30MR
Sports photography with Panasonic FH8
41
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
slow fps (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery (220 per charge)
does not have phase detect auto focus
40
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
provides tracking autofocus
slow fps (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Travel photography info
Panasonic FH8 Travel photography info
65
lighter than competitors (226 grams)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
low battery (220 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
69
lighter than competition in class (123 grams)
good resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
no Timelapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic FH8 Landscape photography highlights
41
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
no manual control
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
low battery (220 shots)
does not have Time Lapse function
43
relatively wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
manual exposure not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SZ-30MR
Vlogging with Panasonic FH8
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors (226 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have external mic socket
33
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection autofocus
lighter than competition in class (123g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external microphone jack
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic FH8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-30MR and Panasonic FH8
 Olympus SZ-30MRPanasonic Lumix DMC-FH8
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus SZ-30MR Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2011-03-02 2012-01-09
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic III+ -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
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
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 23
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/2.5-6.4
Macro focus distance 1cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT Hypercrystal III Color LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 8s
Max shutter speed 1/1700s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.00 m 5.60 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance 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 format MPEG-4 MPEG-4
Microphone 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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226 grams (0.50 pounds) 123 grams (0.27 pounds)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" 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 260 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $279 $149