Clicky

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Samsung HZ50W

Portability
89
Imaging
38
Features
39
Overall
38
Olympus SZ-30MR front
 
Samsung HZ50W front
Portability
70
Imaging
36
Features
44
Overall
39

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Samsung HZ50W 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
  • Released March 2011
Samsung HZ50W
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 3200 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-676mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 426g - 116 x 83 x 91mm
  • Launched May 2010
  • Additionally Known as WB5500
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Samsung HZ50W Overview

Let's look much closer at the Olympus SZ-30MR and Samsung HZ50W, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Samsung. The image resolution of the SZ-30MR (16MP) and the HZ50W (14MP) is very comparable and they possess the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

The SZ-30MR was announced 11 months later than the HZ50W so they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SZ-30MR being a Compact camera and the Samsung HZ50W being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go in to a in depth comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the SZ-30MR grades against the HZ50W in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

        

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-30MR over the Samsung HZ50W

 SZ-30MR HZ50W 
LaunchedMarch 2011May 2010More recent by 11 months
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Samsung HZ50W over the Olympus SZ-30MR

 HZ50W SZ-30MR 
Focus manually Very precise focus

Common features in the Olympus SZ-30MR and Samsung HZ50W

 SZ-30MR HZ50W 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch display Neither has Touch display

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Samsung HZ50W Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to lug around your camera frequently, you will have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-30MR has external dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") and a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Samsung HZ50W has proportions of 116mm x 83mm x 91mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.6") and a weight of 426 grams (0.94 lbs).

Look at the Olympus SZ-30MR and Samsung HZ50W in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you select during that time. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the SZ-30MR against the HZ50W.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Samsung HZ50W size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-30MR and HZ50W is 89 and 70 respectively.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Samsung HZ50W top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Samsung HZ50W Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's tough to imagine the contrast in sensor measurements merely by checking out technical specs. The graphic here might give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-30MR and HZ50W.

As you can tell, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You should expect to see the Olympus SZ-30MR to produce extra detail with its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop pics far more aggressively. The more modern SZ-30MR provides a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Samsung HZ50W sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Samsung HZ50W Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Samsung HZ50W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR as a Portrait photography camera
Samsung HZ50W as a Portrait photography camera
34
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
offers face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
45
focusing manually
MP count good (14MP)
supports RAW files
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Street photography advice
Samsung HZ50W Street photography advice
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (226 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
55
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR as a Sports photography camera
Samsung HZ50W as a Sports photography camera
41
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16MP)
offers tracking autofocus
low fps (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery life (220 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
48
long zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Travel photography factors
Samsung HZ50W Travel photography factors
65
lighter than others in class (226g)
decent megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
bad battery life (220 per charge)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
58
MP count good (14MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (26mm)
very long zoom (676mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
does not posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-30MR
Landscape photography with Samsung HZ50W
40
really wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
bad battery life (220 shots)
does not have Time Lapse function
51
focusing manually
fairly wide (26mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
supports RAW files
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
missing Time Lapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR as a Vlogging camera
Samsung HZ50W as a Vlogging camera
34
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others in class (226g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
does not have external mic support
24
fairly wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic support
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Samsung HZ50W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-30MR and Samsung HZ50W
 Olympus SZ-30MRSamsung HZ50W
General Information
Brand Olympus Samsung
Model Olympus SZ-30MR Samsung HZ50W
Otherwise known as - WB5500
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2011-03-02 2010-05-03
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III+ -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Max enhanced ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 64
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 26-676mm (26.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focus range 1cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT Hypercrystal III Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 16 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1700 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.00 m 5.60 m
Flash options 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 exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 data format MPEG-4 H.264
Mic 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 226 gr (0.50 pounds) 426 gr (0.94 pounds)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 116 x 83 x 91mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 photographs -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery model LI-50B SLB-11A
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SC/SDHC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $279 $250