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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic SZ5

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
39
Overall
39
Olympus SZ-30MR front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic SZ5 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 SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
  • Introduced July 2012
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic SZ5 Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Olympus SZ-30MR versus Panasonic SZ5, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the SZ-30MR (16MP) and the SZ5 (14MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras boast the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ-30MR was launched 16 months earlier than the SZ5 which makes them a generation away from one another. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a complete comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the SZ-30MR grades versus the SZ5 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-30MR over the Panasonic SZ5

 SZ-30MR SZ5 
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Olympus SZ-30MR

 SZ5 SZ-30MR 
IntroducedJuly 2012March 2011Newer by 16 months

Common features in the Olympus SZ-30MR and Panasonic SZ5

 SZ-30MR SZ5 
Manually focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic SZ5 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to travel with your camera, you'll need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-30MR has got external measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") and a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Panasonic SZ5 has proportions of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs).

Compare the Olympus SZ-30MR versus Panasonic SZ5 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are working with at that time. The following is a front view measurement comparison of the SZ-30MR and the SZ5.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic SZ5 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-30MR and SZ5 is 89 and 95 respectively.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic SZ5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic SZ5 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be difficult to picture the gap between sensor dimensions just by checking specs. The pic below might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-30MR and SZ5.

All in all, both cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You should count on the Olympus SZ-30MR to resolve extra detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more aged SZ-30MR is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic SZ5 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic SZ5 as a Portrait photography camera
34
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
includes face detection focus
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
34
MP count decent (14MP)
provides face detect focusing
no manual focus
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Street photography features
Panasonic SZ5 Street photography features
60
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (226g)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (136g)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Sports photography information
Panasonic SZ5 Sports photography information
41
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (220 per charge)
has no phase detect auto focus
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SZ-30MR
Travel photography with Panasonic SZ5
65
lighter than average in class (226g)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
missing Timelapse mode
not so great battery power (220 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
70
lighter than competition in class (136 grams)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
missing Timelapse function
does not feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic SZ5 as a Landscape photography camera
41
reasonably wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
not so great battery power (220 CIPA)
missing Timelapse mode
42
reasonably wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
no manual exposure
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Vlogging information
Panasonic SZ5 Vlogging information
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (226g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing external microphone socket
32
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
lighter than competition in class (136 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone port
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic SZ5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-30MR and Panasonic SZ5
 Olympus SZ-30MRPanasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SZ-30MR Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2011-03-02 2012-07-18
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor 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 area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 3200 1600
Maximum enhanced ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 23
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT Hypercrystal III Color LCD TFT Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 8 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1700 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 5.60 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB 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 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4 MPEG-4
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226 grams (0.50 lb) 136 grams (0.30 lb)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 220 images 250 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release $279 $195