Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic SZ8
89 Imaging
38 Features
39 Overall
38


94 Imaging
40 Features
31 Overall
36
Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic SZ8 Key Specs
(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
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 1600 (Expand to 6400)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
- 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
- Released January 2014

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview
Let's look a little more in depth at the Olympus SZ-30MR versus Panasonic SZ8, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SZ-30MR (16MP) and the SZ8 (16MP) is fairly close and both cameras have the same sensor size (1/2.3").

The SZ-30MR was unveiled 3 years prior to the SZ8 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before getting right into a in-depth comparison, here is a short view of how the SZ-30MR scores versus the SZ8 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic SZ8 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus SZ-30MR & Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8. The full galleries are viewable at Olympus SZ-30MR Gallery & Panasonic SZ8 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-30MR over the Panasonic SZ8
SZ-30MR | SZ8 |
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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Olympus SZ-30MR
SZ8 | SZ-30MR | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2014 | ![]() | March 2011 | More recent by 34 months |
Common features in the Olympus SZ-30MR and Panasonic SZ8
SZ-30MR | SZ8 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | No manual focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display size |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 460k | Exact same display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | No Touch friendly display |
Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison
If you are planning to lug around your camera frequently, you'll have to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-30MR enjoys outer 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) and the Panasonic SZ8 has proportions of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).
Compare the Olympus SZ-30MR versus Panasonic SZ8 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are employing at that moment. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the SZ-30MR versus the SZ8.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-30MR and SZ8 is 89 and 94 respectively.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it's hard to imagine the difference in sensor measurements just by researching a spec sheet. The visual underneath should provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-30MR and SZ8.
As you can see, both of those cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same megapixels therefore you can expect comparable quality of pictures although you really should take the age of the cameras into account. The older SZ-30MR will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications
Olympus SZ-30MR | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model type | Olympus SZ-30MR | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Launched | 2011-03-02 | 2014-01-06 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | TruePic III+ | Venus Engine |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 16MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4608 x 3456 |
Highest native ISO | 3200 | 1600 |
Highest enhanced ISO | - | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | - | 9 |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 25-600mm (24.0x) | 24-288mm (12.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.0-6.9 | f/3.1-6.3 |
Macro focusing range | 1cm | - |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of display | 460k dot | 460k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Display technology | TFT Hypercrystal III Color LCD | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 4s | 8s |
Max shutter speed | 1/1700s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shutter speed | 2.0fps | 1.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 4.00 m | 5.20 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance 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) | 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | MPEG-4 | Motion JPEG |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 226 grams (0.50 lb) | 159 grams (0.35 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") | 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") |
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 photos | 200 photos |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | LI-50B | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Retail cost | $279 | $275 |