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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic GM5

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
39
Overall
39
Olympus SZ-30MR front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 front
Portability
91
Imaging
54
Features
62
Overall
57

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic GM5 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
  • Introduced March 2011
Panasonic GM5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 211g - 99 x 60 x 36mm
  • Introduced September 2014
  • Old Model is Panasonic GM1
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic GM5 Overview

Following is a extensive comparison of the Olympus SZ-30MR versus Panasonic GM5, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the SZ-30MR (16MP) and the GM5 (16MP) is pretty well matched but the SZ-30MR (1/2.3") and GM5 (Four Thirds) possess different sensor sizes.

Photography Glossary

The SZ-30MR was brought out 4 years before the GM5 which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SZ-30MR being a Compact camera and the Panasonic GM5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a short highlight of how the SZ-30MR grades against the GM5 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-30MR over the Panasonic GM5

 SZ-30MR GM5 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GM5 over the Olympus SZ-30MR

 GM5 SZ-30MR 
IntroducedSeptember 2014March 2011More modern by 43 months
Manual focus More precise focusing
Screen resolution921k460kClearer screen (+461k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus SZ-30MR and Panasonic GM5

 SZ-30MR GM5 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic GM5 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry around your camera regularly, you'll have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-30MR enjoys physical dimensions 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 GM5 has dimensions of 99mm x 60mm x 36mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 211 grams (0.47 lbs).

Check the Olympus SZ-30MR versus Panasonic GM5 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the SZ-30MR compared to the GM5.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic GM5 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ-30MR and GM5 is 89 and 91 respectively.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic GM5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic GM5 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is tough to picture the difference between sensor sizes only by looking at a spec sheet. The image here might offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-30MR and GM5.

Clearly, each of the cameras have got the exact same megapixels albeit different sensor sizes. The SZ-30MR includes the tinier sensor which is going to make getting shallower depth of field more challenging. The more aged SZ-30MR is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic GM5 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic GM5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic GM5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic GM5 as a Portrait photography camera
34
megapixel count good (16MP)
supports face detect focus
no manual focus
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
72
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR as a Street photography camera
Panasonic GM5 as a Street photography camera
60
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (226g)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
76
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
includes touch focus
lighter than competition in class (211g)
above average ISO range (25,600)
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SZ-30MR
Sports photography with Panasonic GM5
41
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16MP)
supports tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery (220 shots)
lack of phase detect auto focus
49
silent mode (1/16,000s)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
low max shutter speed (1/500s)
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.8 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery (220 per charge)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SZ-30MR
Travel photography with Panasonic GM5
65
lighter than average in class (226 grams)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
not so great battery (220 shots)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
71
lighter than competition in class (211 grams)
includes touch focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
terrible battery (220 CIPA)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Landscape photography advice
Panasonic GM5 Landscape photography advice
41
decently wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
no manual mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
not so great battery (220 shots)
lack of Time Lapse recording
69
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery (220 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SZ-30MR
Vlogging with Panasonic GM5
34
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (226g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
lack of mic support
35
has touchscreen
has face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (211 grams)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
does not have mic socket
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic GM5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-30MR and Panasonic GM5
 Olympus SZ-30MRPanasonic Lumix DMC-GM5
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SZ-30MR Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2011-03-02 2014-09-15
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III+ Venus Engine
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4592 x 3448
Maximum native ISO 3200 25600
Min native ISO 80 200
RAW format
Min boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 23
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.0-6.9 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Available lenses - 107
Focal length multiplier 5.8 2.1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT Hypercrystal III Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,166 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.46x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1700s 1/500s
Maximum silent shutter speed - 1/16000s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per second 5.8 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.00 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, on, on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, off
Hot shoe
AE 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) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 50p, 50i, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226g (0.50 lb) 211g (0.47 lb)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 99 x 60 x 36mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 66
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.1
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.7
DXO Low light rating not tested 721
Other
Battery life 220 photographs 220 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B DMW-BLH7
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $279 $966