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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic GX850

Portability
89
Imaging
38
Features
39
Overall
38
Olympus SZ-30MR front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX850 front
Portability
90
Imaging
54
Features
70
Overall
60

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic GX850 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 GX850
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 269g - 107 x 65 x 33mm
  • Launched January 2017
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-GX800 / Lumix DMC-GF9
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic GX850 Overview

Below is a complete overview of the Olympus SZ-30MR and Panasonic GX850, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the SZ-30MR (16MP) and the GX850 (16MP) is very similar but the SZ-30MR (1/2.3") and GX850 (Four Thirds) provide different sensor sizing.

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The SZ-30MR was launched 6 years prior to the GX850 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus SZ-30MR being a Compact camera and the Panasonic GX850 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving into a complete comparison, here is a short summary of how the SZ-30MR scores versus the GX850 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-30MR over the Panasonic GX850

 SZ-30MR GX850 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GX850 over the Olympus SZ-30MR

 GX850 SZ-30MR 
LaunchedJanuary 2017March 2011More recent by 71 months
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1040k460kSharper display (+580k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus SZ-30MR and Panasonic GX850

 SZ-30MR GX850 
Display size3"3"Same display measurement

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic GX850 Physical Comparison

If you're going to lug around your camera frequently, you will need to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-30MR offers outer measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") and a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Panasonic GX850 has measurements of 107mm x 65mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.3") with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus SZ-30MR and Panasonic GX850 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the SZ-30MR against the GX850.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic GX850 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-30MR and GX850 is 89 and 90 respectively.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic GX850 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic GX850 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very tough to visualize the contrast between sensor measurements only by going over specs. The photograph below might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-30MR and GX850.

All in all, both of these cameras feature the identical MP but different sensor measurements. The SZ-30MR includes the tinier sensor which will make achieving shallower DOF tougher. The older SZ-30MR is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic GX850 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic GX850 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic GX850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Portrait photography advice
Panasonic GX850 Portrait photography advice
34
decent MP (16MP)
features face detect focusing
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
65
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
cannot use external flash
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Street photography details
Panasonic GX850 Street photography details
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors in class (226 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
80
tilting screen
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
provides focus by touch
great ISO range (25,600)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Sports photography features
Panasonic GX850 Sports photography features
41
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery power (220 CIPA)
has no phase detect AF
52
silent shooting (1/16,000s)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
low maximum shutter speed (1/500s)
no image stabilization
bad battery life (210 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Travel photography info
Panasonic GX850 Travel photography info
65
lighter than competitors in class (226 grams)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
bad battery power (220 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
78
provides focus by touch
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
bad battery life (210 shots)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-30MR
Landscape photography with Panasonic GX850
40
reasonably wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16MP)
manual focus not available
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
bad battery power (220 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse function
70
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
doesnt have low pass filter
great ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
no image stabilization
bad battery life (210 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Vlogging advice
Panasonic GX850 Vlogging advice
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors in class (226 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have mic socket
73
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen functionality
supports face detect autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
no image stabilization
missing microphone support
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic GX850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-30MR and Panasonic GX850
 Olympus SZ-30MRPanasonic Lumix DMC-GX850
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus SZ-30MR Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX850
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-GX800 / Lumix DMC-GF9
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2011-03-02 2017-01-04
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III+ Venus Engine
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 224.9mm²
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 4592 x 3448
Max native ISO 3200 25600
Minimum native ISO 80 200
RAW data
Minimum enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 49
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.0-6.9 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Total lenses - 107
Crop factor 5.8 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dots 1,040k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech TFT Hypercrystal III Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1700 seconds 1/500 seconds
Fastest silent shutter speed - 1/16000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.00 m 4.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, on, on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction
External flash
AEB
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) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 60i / 17 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 20 Mbps, MP4, H.264
Max video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226 gr (0.50 lbs) 269 gr (0.59 lbs)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 107 x 65 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 73
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.2
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.3
DXO Low light score not tested 586
Other
Battery life 220 photographs 210 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2, 10 sec, 3 images/10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC microSD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $279 $548