Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony NEX-7

In this article, we will be evaluating the Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony NEX-7, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. There exists a considerable gap among the resolutions of the SZ-30MR (16MP) and NEX-7 (24MP) and the SZ-30MR (1/2.3") and NEX-7 (APS-C) possess different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The SZ-30MR was revealed 9 months earlier than the NEX-7 and they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SZ-30MR being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-7 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving through a detailed comparison, below is a concise view of how the SZ-30MR matches up versus the NEX-7 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus SZ-30MR & Sony Alpha NEX-7. The full galleries are viewable at Olympus SZ-30MR Gallery & Sony NEX-7 Gallery.

For anybody who is going to carry your camera often, you're going to have to factor its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-30MR comes with outer 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) while the Sony NEX-7 has specifications of 120mm x 67mm x 43mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 400 grams (0.88 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony NEX-7 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you select during that time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the SZ-30MR vs the NEX-7.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-30MR and NEX-7 is 89 and 84 respectively.

Normally, it's difficult to imagine the gap in sensor sizing merely by looking through technical specs. The visual underneath should offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-30MR and NEX-7.

As you can tell, the two cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The SZ-30MR having a smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF harder and the Sony NEX-7 will render extra detail because of its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The older SZ-30MR will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.