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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax RS1500

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
39
Overall
39
Olympus SZ-30MR front
 
Pentax Optio RS1500 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
30
Overall
34

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax RS1500 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-30MR
(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
  • Announced March 2011
Pentax RS1500
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-110mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Revealed March 2011
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax RS1500 Overview

In this article, we are looking at the Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax RS1500, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SZ-30MR (16MP) and the RS1500 (14MP) is fairly close and they possess the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SZ-30MR was revealed about the same time to the RS1500 and they are of a similar generation. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go through a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the SZ-30MR matches up against the RS1500 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-30MR over the Pentax RS1500

 SZ-30MR RS1500 
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Olympus SZ-30MR

 RS1500 SZ-30MR 
Manual focus More exact focus

Common features in the Olympus SZ-30MR and Pentax RS1500

 SZ-30MR RS1500 
RevealedMarch 2011March 2011Same generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax RS1500 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera, you will want to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-30MR offers physical dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Pentax RS1500 has measurements of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax RS1500 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the SZ-30MR versus the RS1500.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax RS1500 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-30MR and RS1500 is 89 and 93 respectively.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax RS1500 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax RS1500 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is hard to envision the gap in sensor dimensions simply by looking through a spec sheet. The pic here will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-30MR and RS1500.

Clearly, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You should anticipate the Olympus SZ-30MR to render extra detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics far more aggressively.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax RS1500 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Portrait photography advice
Pentax RS1500 Portrait photography advice
34
megapixel count good (16MP)
supports face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
35
manual focus
good MP (14MP)
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Street photography advice
Pentax RS1500 Street photography advice
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (226g)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
54
weather sealing
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Sports photography factors
Pentax RS1500 Sports photography factors
41
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
slow fps (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (220 per charge)
no phase detect autofocus
37
good MP (14MP)
has tracking focus
weather sealing
max frames per second low (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SZ-30MR
Travel photography with Pentax RS1500
65
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
does not have Timelapse function
bad battery pack (220 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
67
weather sealing
good MP (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Landscape photography information
Pentax RS1500 Landscape photography information
41
relatively wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual exposure
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
bad battery pack (220 shots)
does not have Timelapse function
40
manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
good MP (14 megapixels)
weather sealing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Vlogging advice
Pentax RS1500 Vlogging advice
34
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (226g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have microphone socket
25
relatively wide (28mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic jack
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax RS1500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-30MR and Pentax RS1500
 Olympus SZ-30MRPentax Optio RS1500
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus SZ-30MR Pentax Optio RS1500
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2011-03-02 2011-03-16
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III+ -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 28-110mm (3.9x)
Max aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT Hypercrystal III Color LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1700 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.00 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
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 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226 gr (0.50 lb) 157 gr (0.35 lb)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 220 pictures 260 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $279 $150