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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony A390

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
39
Overall
39
Olympus SZ-30MR front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony A390 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
  • Revealed March 2011
Sony A390
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Announced July 2010
  • Replaced the Sony A380
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony A390 Overview

Below, we will be contrasting the Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony A390, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the SZ-30MR (16MP) and the A390 (14MP) is pretty comparable but the SZ-30MR (1/2.3") and A390 (APS-C) possess totally different sensor sizing.

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The SZ-30MR was launched 8 months later than the A390 which means that they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SZ-30MR being a Compact camera and the Sony A390 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick view of how the SZ-30MR scores against the A390 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-30MR over the Sony A390

 SZ-30MR A390 
AnnouncedMarch 2011July 2010More recent by 8 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A390 over the Olympus SZ-30MR

 A390 SZ-30MR 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony A390

 SZ-30MR A390 
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony A390 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to lug around your camera, you have to think about its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-30MR offers exterior measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") along with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Sony A390 has specifications of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") along with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Check out the Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony A390 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have chosen at that time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the SZ-30MR vs the A390.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony A390 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-30MR and A390 is 89 and 66 respectively.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony A390 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony A390 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its difficult to see the gap in sensor measurements simply by seeing specs. The graphic below might give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-30MR and A390.

All in all, both of those cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The SZ-30MR featuring a smaller sensor will make shooting shallower DOF more difficult and the Olympus SZ-30MR will produce greater detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The fresher SZ-30MR is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony A390 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony A390 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony A390 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A390 as a Portrait photography camera
34
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
offers face detection focusing
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
72
you can focus manually
MP count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Street photography factors
Sony A390 Street photography factors
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others (226g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
76
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR as a Sports photography camera
Sony A390 as a Sports photography camera
41
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
offers tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (220 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect AF
60
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 fps)
not so great battery pack (230 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR as a Travel photography camera
Sony A390 as a Travel photography camera
65
lighter than others (226g)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
bad battery pack (220 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
53
MP count good (14MP)
built-in flash
no Timelapse function
not so great battery pack (230 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Landscape photography highlights
Sony A390 Landscape photography highlights
41
rather wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
manual mode not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
bad battery pack (220 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse recording
61
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
small screen (2.7 inches)
not so great battery pack (230 CIPA)
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Vlogging info
Sony A390 Vlogging info
34
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others (226g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of external mic port
9
can't record video
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony A390 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony A390
 Olympus SZ-30MRSony Alpha DSLR-A390
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model Olympus SZ-30MR Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2011-03-02 2010-07-28
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III+ Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.0-6.9 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Total lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT Hypercrystal III Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.49x
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1700 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.00 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160 seconds
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) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format MPEG-4 -
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226 gr (0.50 pounds) 549 gr (1.21 pounds)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 66
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.5
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.5
DXO Low light score not tested 607
Other
Battery life 220 pictures 230 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing $279 $500