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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
39
Overall
39
Olympus SZ-30MR front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax Q-S1 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
  • Introduced March 2011
Pentax Q-S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 203g - 105 x 58 x 34mm
  • Revealed August 2014
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

Let's take a more detailed look at the Olympus SZ-30MR versus Pentax Q-S1, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. There is a big difference between the sensor resolutions of the SZ-30MR (16MP) and Q-S1 (12MP) and the SZ-30MR (1/2.3") and Q-S1 (1/1.7") offer different sensor sizes.

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The SZ-30MR was launched 4 years earlier than the Q-S1 and that is quite a big gap 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 Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving into a full comparison, here is a quick overview of how the SZ-30MR scores against the Q-S1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-30MR over the Pentax Q-S1

 SZ-30MR Q-S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Olympus SZ-30MR

 Q-S1 SZ-30MR 
RevealedAugust 2014March 2011Fresher by 41 months
Focus manually Very precise focusing

Common features in the Olympus SZ-30MR and Pentax Q-S1

 SZ-30MR Q-S1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions
Display resolution460k460kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry your camera, you need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-30MR offers external measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") having a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Pentax Q-S1 has measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Check out the Olympus SZ-30MR versus Pentax Q-S1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have at that time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the SZ-30MR vs the Q-S1.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-30MR and Q-S1 is 89 and 92 respectively.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be tough to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing merely by reviewing specifications. The photograph below may provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-30MR and Q-S1.

To sum up, each of the cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The SZ-30MR featuring a tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF harder and the Olympus SZ-30MR will deliver extra detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will help you crop images way more aggressively. The older SZ-30MR is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Portrait photography details
Pentax Q-S1 Portrait photography details
34
MP count decent (16MP)
includes face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
46
manual focus
offers face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SZ-30MR
Street photography with Pentax Q-S1
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors in class (226g)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
lighter than average in class (203g)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Sports photography info
Pentax Q-S1 Sports photography info
41
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16MP)
includes tracking focus
max fps very slow (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery (220 per charge)
has no phase detect autofocus
37
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers tracking focus
low frames per second (5.0 fps)
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
low battery (250 per charge)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Travel photography details
Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography details
65
lighter than competitors in class (226g)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
no Timelapse function
terrible battery (220 per charge)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
60
lighter than average in class (203 grams)
built-in flash
low battery (250 shots)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Landscape photography details
Pentax Q-S1 Landscape photography details
41
really wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
manual mode not available
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
terrible battery (220 shots)
no Timelapse function
55
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
low battery (250 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Vlogging information
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging information
34
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors in class (226 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
no microphone socket
35
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average in class (203 grams)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
no mic port
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-30MR and Pentax Q-S1
 Olympus SZ-30MRPentax Q-S1
General Information
Company Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus SZ-30MR Pentax Q-S1
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2011-03-02 2014-08-04
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III+ Q Engine
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.0-6.9 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Total lenses - 8
Focal length multiplier 5.8 4.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT Hypercrystal III Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1700s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps)1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226 grams (0.50 lb) 203 grams (0.45 lb)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 pictures 250 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots One One
Retail price $279 $250