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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony A550

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
39
Overall
39
Olympus SZ-30MR front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony A550 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
  • Introduced March 2011
Sony A550
(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
Photography Glossary

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.

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The 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.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-30MR over the Sony A550

 SZ-30MR A550 
ReleasedMarch 2011December 2009More modern by 15 months

Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Olympus SZ-30MR

 A550 SZ-30MR 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution922k460kSharper display (+462k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony A550

 SZ-30MR A550 
Display dimensions3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony A550 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-30MR and A550 is 89 and 63 respectively.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Portrait photography highlights
Sony A550 Portrait photography highlights
34
good megapixels (16MP)
has face detect focusing
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
72
has manual focus
megapixel count good (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR as a Street photography camera
Sony A550 as a Street photography camera
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average (226g)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
74
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Sports photography factors
Sony A550 Sports photography factors
41
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
has tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (220 shots)
doesn't have phase detect AF
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
bad battery pack (480 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR as a Travel photography camera
Sony A550 as a Travel photography camera
65
lighter than average (226 grams)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
terrible battery power (220 CIPA)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
52
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
missing Timelapse mode
bad battery pack (480 per charge)
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Landscape photography features
Sony A550 Landscape photography features
41
fairly wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not available
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
terrible battery power (220 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse mode
66
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
bad battery pack (480 per charge)
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR as a Vlogging camera
Sony A550 as a Vlogging camera
34
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average (226g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
does not have mic socket
9
can't record video
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony A550
 Olympus SZ-30MRSony 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