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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax XG-1

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
39
Overall
39
Olympus SZ-30MR front
 
Pentax XG-1 front
Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
37
Overall
38

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax XG-1 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
  • Introduced March 2011
Pentax XG-1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1248mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
  • 567g - 119 x 89 x 98mm
  • Launched July 2014
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax XG-1 Overview

In this write-up, we will be reviewing the Olympus SZ-30MR versus Pentax XG-1, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the SZ-30MR (16MP) and the XG-1 (16MP) is pretty similar and they possess the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ-30MR was introduced 4 years prior to the XG-1 which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SZ-30MR being a Compact camera and the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before getting straight into a thorough comparison, below is a quick view of how the SZ-30MR matches up against the XG-1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-30MR over the Pentax XG-1

 SZ-30MR XG-1 

Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Olympus SZ-30MR

 XG-1 SZ-30MR 
LaunchedJuly 2014March 2011Newer by 41 months
Manually focus Dial accurate focus

Common features in the Olympus SZ-30MR and Pentax XG-1

 SZ-30MR XG-1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Screen resolution460k460kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax XG-1 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera, you'll have to factor its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-30MR has got physical dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Pentax XG-1 has specifications of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") with a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs).

Examine the Olympus SZ-30MR versus Pentax XG-1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have chosen at the time. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the SZ-30MR compared to the XG-1.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax XG-1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-30MR and XG-1 is 89 and 66 respectively.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax XG-1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax XG-1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very difficult to visualize the gap between sensor dimensions only by going over specifications. The picture underneath may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-30MR and XG-1.

Plainly, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact resolution therefore you can expect similar quality of files but you have to factor the age of the products into consideration. The more aged SZ-30MR is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax XG-1 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax XG-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax XG-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Portrait photography information
Pentax XG-1 Portrait photography information
34
decent MP (16 megapixels)
supports face detect focusing
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
40
manual focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR as a Street photography camera
Pentax XG-1 as a Street photography camera
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (226g)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
43
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
more heavy than average (567g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Sports photography advice
Pentax XG-1 Sports photography advice
41
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
max frames per second low (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (220 per charge)
lacks phase detect AF
45
amazing zoom range (24-1248mm 52.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery (240 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR as a Travel photography camera
Pentax XG-1 as a Travel photography camera
65
lighter than others in class (226 grams)
decent MP (16MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
not so great battery life (220 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
52
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
great reach (1248mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
not so great battery (240 per charge)
more heavy than average (567g)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Landscape photography information
Pentax XG-1 Landscape photography information
41
rather wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
not so great battery life (220 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
45
manual focus
pretty wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
not so great battery (240 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SZ-30MR
Vlogging with Pentax XG-1
34
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others in class (226g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone port
25
pretty wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone socket
more heavy than average (567 grams)
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax XG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-30MR and Pentax XG-1
 Olympus SZ-30MRPentax XG-1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus SZ-30MR Pentax XG-1
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2011-03-02 2014-07-15
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic III+ -
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-1248mm (52.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/2.8-5.6
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech TFT Hypercrystal III Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 200 thousand dots
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1700s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0fps 9.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 6.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Force Off, Flash Auto, Force Flash, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. + Red-Eye, Red-Eye Reduction
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB 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 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (120 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226 grams (0.50 pounds) 567 grams (1.25 pounds)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9")
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 photographs 240 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B LB-060
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $279 $599