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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Samsung HZ15W

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
39
Overall
39
Olympus SZ-30MR front
 
Samsung HZ15W front
Portability
90
Imaging
34
Features
31
Overall
32

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Samsung HZ15W 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
  • Launched March 2011
Samsung HZ15W
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-240mm (F3.3-5.8) lens
  • 249g - 105 x 61 x 37mm
  • Introduced February 2009
  • Additionally referred to as WB550
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Samsung HZ15W Overview

Let's take a more detailed look at the Olympus SZ-30MR vs Samsung HZ15W, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Samsung. There exists a big gap between the sensor resolutions of the SZ-30MR (16MP) and HZ15W (12MP) but they possess the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ-30MR was introduced 2 years after the HZ15W which is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a full comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the SZ-30MR grades against the HZ15W with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-30MR over the Samsung HZ15W

 SZ-30MR HZ15W 
IntroducedMarch 2011February 2009Newer by 25 months

Reasons to pick Samsung HZ15W over the Olympus SZ-30MR

 HZ15W SZ-30MR 
Focus manually Very precise focus

Common features in the Olympus SZ-30MR and Samsung HZ15W

 SZ-30MR HZ15W 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Display resolution460k460kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Samsung HZ15W Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to travel with your camera often, you will have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-30MR provides external measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") and a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Samsung HZ15W has dimensions of 105mm x 61mm x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") and a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs).

Compare the Olympus SZ-30MR vs Samsung HZ15W in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the SZ-30MR and the HZ15W.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Samsung HZ15W size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-30MR and HZ15W is 89 and 90 respectively.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Samsung HZ15W top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Samsung HZ15W Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its tough to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by checking technical specs. The image here might offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-30MR and HZ15W.

As you have seen, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Olympus SZ-30MR to resolve extra detail using its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images far more aggressively. The fresher SZ-30MR will have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Samsung HZ15W sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Portrait photography details
Samsung HZ15W Portrait photography details
34
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
features face detect focus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
31
has manual focus
includes face detection focus
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Street photography information
Samsung HZ15W Street photography information
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (226g)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
52
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
more heavy than competitors in class (249g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Sports photography highlights
Samsung HZ15W Sports photography highlights
41
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16MP)
features tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
low battery power (220 shots)
lacks phase detect auto focus
27
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SZ-30MR
Travel photography with Samsung HZ15W
65
lighter than competition (226 grams)
decent megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
low battery power (220 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
54
built-in flash
decently wide (24mm)
missing Timelapse recording
more heavy than competitors in class (249 grams)
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Landscape photography advice
Samsung HZ15W Landscape photography advice
41
really wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
low battery power (220 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse mode
40
has manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
manual mode not possible
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Vlogging factors
Samsung HZ15W Vlogging factors
34
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (226g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of mic support
28
decently wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection focus
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone support
more heavy than competitors in class (249 grams)
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Samsung HZ15W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-30MR and Samsung HZ15W
 Olympus SZ-30MRSamsung HZ15W
General Information
Make Olympus Samsung
Model Olympus SZ-30MR Samsung HZ15W
Also Known as - WB550
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2011-03-02 2009-02-23
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic III+ -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-240mm (10.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.3-5.8
Macro focus range 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT Hypercrystal III Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 16 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1700 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 2.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.00 m 4.70 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red eye fix
Hot shoe
AE 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 (60, 30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226g (0.50 lbs) 249g (0.55 lbs)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 105 x 61 x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5")
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 images -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (10 sec, 2 sec, Double, Motion Timer)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $279 $330