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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony G3

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
39
Overall
39
Olympus SZ-30MR front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony G3 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
  • Announced March 2011
Sony G3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-10.0) lens
  • 185g - 97 x 59 x 22mm
  • Launched January 2009
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony G3 Overview

Lets examine more closely at the Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony G3, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Sony. There exists a sizable gap between the sensor resolutions of the SZ-30MR (16MP) and G3 (10MP) but they use the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ-30MR was unveiled 2 years after the G3 which is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go through a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick summary of how the SZ-30MR grades vs the G3 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-30MR over the Sony G3

 SZ-30MR G3 
LaunchedMarch 2011January 2009Newer by 27 months

Reasons to pick Sony G3 over the Olympus SZ-30MR

 G3 SZ-30MR 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Screen dimension3.5"3"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony G3

 SZ-30MR G3 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony G3 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera often, you have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-30MR has external measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Sony G3 has dimensions of 97mm x 59mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") and a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs).

Look at the Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony G3 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the SZ-30MR versus the G3.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony G3 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-30MR and G3 is 89 and 94 respectively.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony G3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony G3 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's difficult to imagine the difference between sensor dimensions purely by reading a spec sheet. The picture underneath will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-30MR and G3.

As you can see, the two cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different resolution. You can expect the Olympus SZ-30MR to offer you greater detail having an extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures much more aggressively. The newer SZ-30MR provides an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony G3 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony G3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony G3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Portrait photography advice
Sony G3 Portrait photography advice
34
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
features face detect focusing
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
26
manual focus
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
MP count low (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR as a Street photography camera
Sony G3 as a Street photography camera
60
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (226g)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SZ-30MR
Sports photography with Sony G3
41
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
features tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (220 shots)
has no phase detect AF
23
has image stabilization (Optical)
low max shutter speed (1/1,000 seconds)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Travel photography info
Sony G3 Travel photography info
65
lighter than average in class (226g)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
terrible battery life (220 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
50
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
MP count low (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Landscape photography info
Sony G3 Landscape photography info
41
pretty wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
manual mode not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
terrible battery life (220 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse recording
36
manual focus
bigger than average screen (3.5")
has image stabilization (Optical)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual exposure
MP count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Vlogging information
Sony G3 Vlogging information
34
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detect focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average in class (226 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have mic port
27
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of external microphone port
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony G3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony G3
 Olympus SZ-30MRSony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus SZ-30MR Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2011-03-02 2009-01-08
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic III+ -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 35-140mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.5-10.0
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3.5 inch
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech TFT Hypercrystal III Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 1 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1700 secs 1/1000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 4.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
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) 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226g (0.50 pounds) 185g (0.41 pounds)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 97 x 59 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 220 pictures -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $279 $200