Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic GF1

In this article, we will be reviewing the Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic GF1, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. There is a huge difference among the sensor resolutions of the SZ-30MR (16MP) and GF1 (12MP) and the SZ-30MR (1/2.3") and GF1 (Four Thirds) feature different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The SZ-30MR was unveiled 17 months after the GF1 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SZ-30MR being a Compact camera and the Panasonic GF1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going in to a thorough comparison, below is a simple summary of how the SZ-30MR scores against the GF1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Below is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus SZ-30MR and Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1. The full galleries are viewable at Olympus SZ-30MR Gallery and Panasonic GF1 Gallery.

For anybody who is intending to travel with your camera often, you should think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-30MR has got outside dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") along with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Panasonic GF1 has measurements of 119mm x 71mm x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4") and a weight of 385 grams (0.85 lbs).

Check the Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic GF1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are employing at that moment. The following is the front view scale comparison of the SZ-30MR against the GF1.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-30MR and GF1 is 89 and 85 respectively.

Generally, it is tough to visualize the difference in sensor dimensions merely by going through specs. The pic underneath will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-30MR and GF1.

As you can plainly see, both cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The SZ-30MR with its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF more difficult and the Olympus SZ-30MR will show greater detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more modern SZ-30MR provides an advantage with regard to sensor tech.