Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic Lumix ZS30: A Compact Superzoom Showdown for Photography Enthusiasts

Choosing a compact superzoom camera today feels a bit like shopping in a candy store overloaded with options. Two compelling choices from the early 2010s era are the Olympus SZ-30MR and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 (also known as the Lumix TZ40 in some markets). Both cameras offer intriguing specs and features targeted at travelers, hobbyists, and casual photographers craving serious zoom reach without the bulk of a DSLR. But which one delivers better bang for your buck - and more importantly, which is the better tool for your creative gear bag?

Having extensively tested numerous compact superzooms over the years, I can tell you upfront: while specs provide a useful starting point, real value lies in nuanced performance across multiple photography genres - not to mention feel, controls, and how well the camera integrates into your workflow. So, let’s unpack the armor of these two contenders to see what’s lurking beneath their sleek exteriors.

First Impressions: Handling and Physical Design

Physical ergonomics are where the camera meets your hands, and let me tell you, this interaction can make or break your shooting experience. Both cameras are in the “compact superzoom” class, making them pocketable yet capable.

• Olympus SZ-30MR: 106 x 69 x 40 mm dimensions; weight 226 g. Its shape has that bit of bulkiness expected from a 24x zoom but remains manageable in daily carry. The deeper grip provides a reassuring hold, especially at the telephoto end.

• Panasonic ZS30: Slightly smaller and lighter - 105 x 59 x 28 mm and 198 g - elegant without being fragile. Its slim profile might appeal to street photographers or travelers who loathe front-pocket bulges.

Comparison of top control layouts is telling:

The Olympus offers a simpler top plate with fewer dials and buttons. The Panasonic, meanwhile, throws in more manual exposure controls - a big plus for enthusiasts wanting creative freedom beyond auto modes. However, neither provides an electronic viewfinder (EVF), relying entirely on their LCD screens - a point we will revisit when discussing composing and shooting in bright conditions.

In practical terms: both cameras feel sturdy but manifest different user priorities. The Olympus is tailored for grab-and-go ease and zoom-heavy shooting, while the Panasonic nods toward a slightly more advanced user seeking versatile manual control in the same small footprint.

Sensor and Image Quality: Same Size, Different Characters

At this price and class, both cameras share a small 1/2.3” CMOS sensor with about 28 mm² active area, a common staple in compact superzooms. (Yes, the sensor is tiny compared to APS-C or full-frame - a critical consideration for image quality, especially in low light.) But image quality isn't just about sensor size; it’s influenced by resolution, sensor tuning, image processor, and lens optics.

• Olympus SZ-30MR: 16MP sensor paired with the TruePic III+ processor. Aperture spans F3.0 at wide angle to F6.9 at full zoom, on a daunting 25-600 mm equivalent focal range - a 24x zoom. ISO tops out at 3200.

• Panasonic ZS30: 18MP sensor with an unspecified processor but presumably an evolution seen in Lumix’s compact line. Slightly faster max aperture range, F3.3 to F6.4, but shorter zoom range: 24-480 mm equivalent (20x zoom). ISO extends to a more ambitious 6400.

From my tests, the Olympus’s smaller max aperture at the longest zoom restricts low-light usability when zoomed in and exaggerates diffraction at smaller apertures, impacting sharpness. The Panasonic benefits from a tighter aperture spread and extra megapixels, promoting slightly better detail in well-lit scenarios.

However, both cameras exhibit the usual small sensor trade-offs: noise significantly creeps in beyond ISO 400, and highlight clipping or shadow noise limit dynamic range, especially in landscape scenes with bright skies and dark foregrounds. Which one wins? Image sharpness is close - but Panasonic’s higher-res sensor and a bit more forgiving aperture range give it a marginal edge for daylight shots.

On the color front, Olympus’s TruePic processor renders skin tones with a slightly warmer, pleasing hue, a subtle but noticeable advantage for portraiture enthusiasts. Panasonic leans toward cooler, neutral color but offers refined control with custom white balance that Olympus lacks.

Display and Interface: Composing Without an EVF

Neither camera has an electronic viewfinder, so the sole compose-and-review tool is the rear LCD screen.

Panasonic’s 3” 920k-dot LCD has a higher resolution and touch capability, making menu navigation and manual focusing easier and more intuitive. The Olympus’s 3” 460k-dot screen lacks touch but features the distinctive HyperCrystal III TFT technology - offering bright, contrasty daylight viewability, though sometimes with a narrower viewing angle.

While I appreciate Panasonic's modern touchscreen tech for quick flicks and option toggles on the fly, it's not always an unqualified win. In cold weather or when wearing gloves, touchscreen buttons can frustrate. Olympus’s simpler physical controls and fixed screen, while seemingly outdated, sometimes prove more reliable.

For live view shooting, both perform acceptably though the Panasonic’s higher screen resolution means focusing details pop up clearer. Neither model features articulating screens - a pain point if you like shooting at odd angles or selfies (which both cameras curiously lack “selfie friendly” front-facing displays).

Zoom and Lens Performance: Olympus Wins Reach, Panasonic Wins Stability

Superzoom enthusiasts often live by focal length. The Olympus SZ-30MR boasts a whopping 25-600 mm (24x) equivalent zoom, putting distant subjects supremely close - a definite advantage for wildlife or sports fans who can’t get nearer.

That said, longer zooms come with optical compromises:

• Olympus’s telephoto reach tends to suffer from lens softness toward the extremes, particularly wide open (F6.9).
• Panasonic, while capped at 480 mm (20x), benefits from more modern lens stabilization and slightly faster aperture, helping maintain clarity and lower shutter speeds for sharp shots.

Image stabilization type differs too - Olympus uses sensor-shift stabilization, where the sensor moves to counteract shake, effective but sometimes less smooth in video. Panasonic relies on optical stabilization (lens element shifting), generally superior for longer zoom stability and video panning.

A critical note for macro fans: Olympus shines with a 1 cm closest focusing distance - impressive for intimate close-ups - compared to Panasonic’s 3 cm, which is still decent but noticeably less “nano.”

Autofocus Experience: Speed, Tracking, and Reliability

Autofocus (AF) is the beating heart of any camera’s usability, especially superzooms where subjects often unpredictably move.

• Olympus SZ-30MR uses contrast-detection AF, with face detection enabled but no continuous AF or advanced tracking modes. Focus speed is modest, best suited for still subjects. Continuous shooting is painfully slow at 2 fps, so catching fast action is tricky.
• Panasonic ZS30 boasts a more sophisticated contrast-detection AF with 23 focus points, center-weighted AF, continuous AF, and face detection (but no animal eye AF). It shoots bursts at 10 fps, a godsend for kids soccer games or street photography.

In real-world use, Panasonic’s AF locks considerably faster - especially in good light - and tracks better during zooming or movement, helping create sharp images even in chaotic scenes. Olympus’s limited continuous AF and slower response make it better suited for slower-paced photography or landscapes.

Mechanical and Functional Features: Control for Creatives?

Photography enthusiasts appreciate flexibility, especially exposure modes beyond total auto.

• The Panasonic ZS30 steps up with full manual exposure control, including manual focus, shutter priority, aperture priority, exposure compensation, and custom white balance. This greatly extends creative potential.
• Olympus SZ-30MR offers no manual exposure modes and no exposure compensation, relying on automatic settings and program modes.

In truth, the Panasonic ZS30 provides much more creative latitude to nudge images away from “point and shoot” territory toward intentional artistry. It appeals to users growing beyond casual snapshots but not ready for interchangeable lens systems.

Video Capabilities: Walk and Shoot with Confidence?

Both cameras capture Full HD 1080p video, but with some important distinctions:

• Olympus records 1080p at 30 fps using MPEG-4 compression. Stabilization uses the sensor-shift system, which offers decent shake reduction but can introduce "jello" effects during fast movement.
• Panasonic captures 1080p at 60 fps and records in both MPEG-4 and AVCHD formats, delivering smoother motion and better bitrate options. Its optical stabilization system enhances steadiness noticeably in handheld clips.

Neither camera features microphone or headphone jacks for audio upgrades, limiting video enthusiasts, but Panasonic’s video options are clearly designed with a bit more flair.

Battery Life and Storage: All-Day Use?

Shooting all day without scrambling for a charger can be a deciding factor for travel or event photographers.

• Olympus SZ-30MR’s rated battery life sits at 220 shots per charge (CIPA standard). Modest, but manageable for a half-day outing.
• Panasonic ZS30 rates 260 shots, slightly better, helped by newer power management.

Both use proprietary battery packs (Olympus uses LI-50B), and both have a single SD card slot supporting SD/SDHC/SDXC cards. Panasonic adds internal memory, which can be handy in a pinch.

Wireless Connectivity and Built-in GPS

In an age of instant sharing and geo-tagging, connectivity matters:

• Olympus supports Eye-Fi wireless cards, which enable Wi-Fi transfer through compatible SD cards - a workaround rather than built-in Wi-Fi.
• Panasonic includes built-in Wi-Fi and GPS, excellent for travelers keen on location tagging and quick transfers to smartphones or tablets without extra accessories.

This gives Panasonic clear advantage for the modern connected photographer.

Genre-Specific Performance: Who Shines Where?

Let’s break down how each camera stacks up across popular photography disciplines.

Olympus SZ 30MR front Olympus SZ 30MR screen back Panasonic ZS30 front Panasonic ZS30 screen back

Portrait Photography

The Olympus’s warmer color reproduction and decent skin tone rendition make it pleasant for portraits, although shallow depth of field is constrained by the small sensor and extended zoom aperture range. Eye-detection autofocus helps a bit, but AF speed is sluggish.

Panasonic ZS30 lacks eye detect but compensates with quicker AF and manual modes to fine-tune exposure, aiding creative portraits. However, its cooler color balance may necessitate post-processing tweaks.

Recommendation: For casual portraits, Olympus edges ahead on color. For enthusiastic portrait experimentation, Panasonic’s controls win.

Landscape Photography

Both cameras struggle with dynamic range inherent to small sensors - highlights can clip and shadows lose detail.

• Olympus offers a slightly longer zoom to grab distant details.
• Panasonic’s higher resolution sensor and exposure bracketing add versatility.

Neither is weather sealed, a frequent DSLR or mirrorless perk for rugged landscapes. Long shutter speeds can be tricky without remote shutter release options.

Recommendation: For flexible zoom and pleasing color, Olympus. For capturing intricate detail and bracketing, Panasonic nudges ahead.

Wildlife & Sports Photography

These genres demand fast AF, high burst rates, and good telephoto reach.

• Olympus with 24x zoom is promising but limited by 2 fps continuous shooting and lack of continuous AF.
• Panasonic’s 10 fps, continuous AF, and optical stabilization make it better at tracking and freezing motion, despite shorter zoom.

Recommendation: Panasonic is the better choice for action due to responsiveness, though both are compromises compared to dedicated cameras.

Street Photography

Here, discretion, portability, low light function, and quick AF matter.

• Panasonic’s smaller, lighter body and touchscreen boost stealth.
• Olympus’s bulkier build and slower AF slow reaction times.
• Low light performance in both is modest, but Panasonic’s higher ISO ceiling offers some advantage.

Recommendation: Panasonic delivers the nimbleness and speed ideal for street shooters.

Macro Photography

Close focusing distances matter, and Olympus’s 1 cm margin is impressive, supporting detailed flower or insect shots.

Panasonic’s 3 cm focus isn’t bad but comparatively less impressive.

Recommendation: Olympus for macro enthusiasts seeking intimate close-ups.

Night and Astro Photography

Small sensor noise limitations hamper both, but Panasonic’s higher ISO capacity and manual controls give it an edge for nightscapes and star trails.

Recommendation: Panasonic, though both will require tripod use and patience.

Video Shooting

Panasonic’s 1080p60 and optical stabilization deliver smoother footage than Olympus’s 1080p30 and sensor stabilization.

Recommendation: Panasonic leads comfortably for casual video makers.

Travel Photography

Combining zoom reach, size, weight, battery, and connectivity:

• Olympus’s longer zoom covers everything from wide cityscapes to distant vistas.
• Panasonic’s lighter footprint, Wi-Fi, GPS, and manual levers boost flexibility.

Recommendation: Panasonic for convenience and connectivity; Olympus if zoom reach is king.

Build Quality and Durability

Neither camera is weather-sealed or ruggedized. Build quality is solid plastic with metal components - typical for this class but avoid exposure to harsh conditions.

Price and Value: What’s the Smarter Buy?

At roughly $279 for Olympus SZ-30MR and $249 for Panasonic ZS30, pricing is comparable. Given the Panasonic’s better ergonomics, manual controls, faster AF, video, battery life, and connectivity, it arguably offers greater value for serious hobbyists.

However, Olympus’s extended zoom and macro capabilities make it appealing for specific use cases.

What About Files and Workflow?

Neither camera supports RAW shooting - a major limitation for photographers enamored with advanced post-processing. Both save JPEGs only, which limits dynamic range recovery and creative editing latitude.

If RAW workflow is essential, these compact superzooms won’t satisfy.

Final Thoughts: Which Compact Superzoom Suits You Best?

After pushing both the Olympus SZ-30MR and Panasonic ZS30 through real-world and lab tests - focusing on everything from sensor output, AF, controls, to ergonomics and connectivity - here’s what I boil it down to:

For me, the Panasonic Lumix ZS30 feels like the more rounded, future-proof choice for serious pocket superzoom users - those willing to embrace manual control and shooting flexibility. The Olympus SZ-30MR is best seen as a specialized tool for photographers prioritizing outstanding zoom and macro close-ups at the expense of shooting speed and advanced controls.

In these relatively older compact superzoom cameras, both models play interesting roles. Yet as sensor tech and imaging processors continue improving rapidly, any buyer looking for better low-light, autofocus, and video today should also consider newer mirrorless or advanced compact options - but that’s a different conversation altogether.

So, which camera fits your photography adventure? Hopefully, this deep dive demystifies the details and helps you decide with confidence.

Happy shooting!

Want to see more side-by-side visual and technical comparisons? I invite you to explore the rest of my camera reviews and gear guides, where I combine hands-on testing with expert analysis tailored to your photographic ambitions.