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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Samsung HZ25W

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
39
Overall
39
Olympus SZ-30MR front
 
Samsung HZ25W front
Portability
70
Imaging
35
Features
32
Overall
33

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Samsung HZ25W 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 HZ25W
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 3200 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-624mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 428g - 116 x 83 x 92mm
  • Launched July 2010
  • Additionally referred to as WB5000
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Samsung HZ25W Overview

The following is a in-depth analysis of the Olympus SZ-30MR and Samsung HZ25W, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by brands Olympus and Samsung. There is a sizable difference among the sensor resolutions of the SZ-30MR (16MP) and HZ25W (12MP) but they feature the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ-30MR was manufactured 8 months after the HZ25W so they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting through a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple view of how the SZ-30MR grades versus the HZ25W when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-30MR over the Samsung HZ25W

 SZ-30MR HZ25W 
LaunchedMarch 2011July 2010Newer by 8 months
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Samsung HZ25W over the Olympus SZ-30MR

 HZ25W SZ-30MR 
Manual focus More exact focusing

Common features in the Olympus SZ-30MR and Samsung HZ25W

 SZ-30MR HZ25W 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Samsung HZ25W Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you'll need to consider its weight and volume. The Olympus SZ-30MR has got exterior measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") having a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Samsung HZ25W has sizing of 116mm x 83mm x 92mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.6") along with a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus SZ-30MR and Samsung HZ25W in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the SZ-30MR and the HZ25W.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Samsung HZ25W size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-30MR and HZ25W is 89 and 70 respectively.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Samsung HZ25W top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Samsung HZ25W Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its hard to see the difference in sensor dimensions just by seeing specs. The image here will help give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-30MR and HZ25W.

All in all, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You can expect the Olympus SZ-30MR to provide more detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more recent SZ-30MR is going to have an edge in sensor technology.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Samsung HZ25W sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Samsung HZ25W Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Samsung HZ25W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Portrait photography information
Samsung HZ25W Portrait photography information
34
good MP (16MP)
features face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
34
has manual focus
saves RAW formats
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR as a Street photography camera
Samsung HZ25W as a Street photography camera
60
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
55
image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR as a Sports photography camera
Samsung HZ25W as a Sports photography camera
41
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (220 shots)
lacks phase detect auto focus
34
amazing zoom range (26-624mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of shutter priority mode
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Travel photography highlights
Samsung HZ25W Travel photography highlights
65
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
good MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
quite wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
no Time Lapse mode
terrible battery pack (220 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
52
has built in flash
relatively wide (26mm)
long reach (624mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR as a Landscape photography camera
Samsung HZ25W as a Landscape photography camera
41
quite wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not available
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
terrible battery pack (220 CIPA)
no Time Lapse mode
43
has manual focus
relatively wide (26mm)
good sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual mode not possible
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Vlogging features
Samsung HZ25W Vlogging features
34
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detect focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
display isn't selfie friendly
no mic jack
24
relatively wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone port
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Samsung HZ25W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-30MR and Samsung HZ25W
 Olympus SZ-30MRSamsung HZ25W
General Information
Company Olympus Samsung
Model type Olympus SZ-30MR Samsung HZ25W
Alternative name - WB5000
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2011-03-02 2010-07-06
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip 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 alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Max boosted ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 80 64
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 26-624mm (24.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focusing range 1cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT Hypercrystal III Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 16 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1700 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 5.60 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
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 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Microphone 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) 428 grams (0.94 lb)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 116 x 83 x 92mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.6")
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 shots -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SC/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $279 $350