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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony HX300

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
39
Overall
39
Olympus SZ-30MR front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 front
Portability
63
Imaging
44
Features
51
Overall
46

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony HX300 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 HX300
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F2.8-6.3) lens
  • 623g - 130 x 103 x 93mm
  • Introduced February 2013
  • Older Model is Sony HX200V
  • Replacement is Sony HX400V
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony HX300 Overview

Here is a in-depth assessment of the Olympus SZ-30MR versus Sony HX300, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by competitors Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the SZ-30MR (16MP) and the HX300 (20MP) is pretty comparable and they use the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SZ-30MR was introduced 24 months earlier than the HX300 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. The two cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SZ-30MR being a Compact camera and the Sony HX300 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before diving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick overview of how the SZ-30MR scores versus the HX300 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-30MR over the Sony HX300

 SZ-30MR HX300 

Reasons to pick Sony HX300 over the Olympus SZ-30MR

 HX300 SZ-30MR 
IntroducedFebruary 2013March 2011Fresher by 24 months
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony HX300

 SZ-30MR HX300 
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen dimensions
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony HX300 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera, you will want to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-30MR offers physical dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") and a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Sony HX300 has dimensions of 130mm x 103mm x 93mm (5.1" x 4.1" x 3.7") and a weight of 623 grams (1.37 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus SZ-30MR versus Sony HX300 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have chosen during that time. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the SZ-30MR versus the HX300.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony HX300 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-30MR and HX300 is 89 and 63 respectively.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony HX300 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony HX300 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very hard to envision the gap in sensor sizing only by seeing specs. The photograph underneath might give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-30MR and HX300.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Sony HX300 to provide more detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The older SZ-30MR will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony HX300 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony HX300 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony HX300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Portrait photography advice
Sony HX300 Portrait photography advice
34
MP count good (16 megapixels)
features face detect focusing
no manual focus
no manual mode
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
42
you can focus manually
good resolution (20MP)
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SZ-30MR
Street photography with Sony HX300
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others (226g)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
50
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
heavier than competition in class (623 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SZ-30MR
Sports photography with Sony HX300
41
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16MP)
features tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery power (220 CIPA)
no phase detect AF
55
amazing zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (20MP)
offers tracking autofocus
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR as a Travel photography camera
Sony HX300 as a Travel photography camera
65
lighter than others (226g)
MP count good (16MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
missing Timelapse function
bad battery power (220 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
54
good resolution (20MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
long zoom (1200mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition in class (623g)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Landscape photography details
Sony HX300 Landscape photography details
41
decently wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
no manual mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
bad battery power (220 per charge)
missing Timelapse function
48
you can focus manually
fairly wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (20MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SZ-30MR
Vlogging with Sony HX300
34
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others (226g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing microphone support
25
fairly wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of external mic port
heavier than competition in class (623g)
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony HX300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony HX300
 Olympus SZ-30MRSony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model Olympus SZ-30MR Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2011-03-02 2013-02-20
Body design Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic III+ -
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 -
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 5184 x 3888
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-1200mm (50.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/2.8-6.3
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT Hypercrystal III Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1700 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.00 m -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in -
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance 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) 1920 x 1080 (60, 50 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4 -
Mic 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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226g (0.50 lb) 623g (1.37 lb)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 130 x 103 x 93mm (5.1" x 4.1" x 3.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 220 photographs -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) -
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC -
Storage slots Single Single
Retail pricing $279 $339