Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony A550
89 Imaging
39 Features
39 Overall
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63 Imaging
54 Features
65 Overall
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony A550 Key Specs
(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
- Introduced March 2011
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 632g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
- Released December 2009
- Succeeded the Sony A100
Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony A550 Overview
On this page, we are analyzing the Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony A550, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SZ-30MR (16MP) and the A550 (14MP) is very well matched but the SZ-30MR (1/2.3") and A550 (APS-C) provide different sensor size.
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthThe SZ-30MR was released 15 months after the A550 making them a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus SZ-30MR being a Compact camera and the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before diving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick view of how the SZ-30MR grades vs the A550 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony A550 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony Alpha DSLR-A550. The complete galleries are viewable at Olympus SZ-30MR Gallery and Sony A550 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-30MR over the Sony A550
SZ-30MR | A550 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | March 2011 | December 2009 | More modern by 15 months |
Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Olympus SZ-30MR
A550 | SZ-30MR | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | Dial exact focusing | |||
Display type | Tilting | Fixed | Tilting display | |
Display resolution | 922k | 460k | Sharper display (+462k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony A550
SZ-30MR | A550 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display dimensions | 3" | 3" | Equal display size | |
Selfie screen | Missing selfie screen | |||
Touch friendly display | Missing Touch friendly display |
Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison
If you are planning to carry around your camera regularly, you will need to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-30MR provides external dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") along with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Sony A550 has proportions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).
Examine the Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony A550 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the SZ-30MR compared to the A550.
Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-30MR and A550 is 89 and 63 respectively.
Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it can be difficult to imagine the gap between sensor sizes just by looking at a spec sheet. The picture here should give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-30MR and A550.
Clearly, both the cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The SZ-30MR because of its tinier sensor is going to make shooting bokeh more difficult and the Olympus SZ-30MR will resolve more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images more aggressively. The fresher SZ-30MR provides an edge with regard to sensor innovation.
Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony A550 Specifications
Olympus SZ-30MR | Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Sony |
Model type | Olympus SZ-30MR | Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Entry-Level DSLR |
Introduced | 2011-03-02 | 2009-12-09 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | TruePic III+ | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4592 x 3056 |
Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 12800 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 200 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | - | 9 |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Lens zoom range | 25-600mm (24.0x) | - |
Largest aperture | f/3.0-6.9 | - |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | - |
Number of lenses | - | 143 |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display sizing | 3" | 3" |
Display resolution | 460k dots | 922k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Display tech | TFT Hypercrystal III Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 95 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.53x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 4s | 30s |
Max shutter speed | 1/1700s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shutter rate | 2.0 frames/s | 7.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 4.00 m | 12.00 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | - | 1/160s |
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) | - |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
Video format | MPEG-4 | - |
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 | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 226g (0.50 pounds) | 632g (1.39 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") | 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | 66 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 21.9 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 11.8 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 807 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 220 images | 480 images |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | LI-50B | NP-FM500H |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at release | $279 | $749 |