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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony HX7V

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
39
Overall
39
Olympus SZ-30MR front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony HX7V 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 HX7V
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 208g - 102 x 58 x 29mm
  • Revealed July 2011
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony HX7V Overview

Here, we will be reviewing the Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony HX7V, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the SZ-30MR (16MP) and the HX7V (16MP) is pretty comparable and both cameras offer the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SZ-30MR was announced 4 months before the HX7V which means that they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the SZ-30MR grades versus the HX7V with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-30MR over the Sony HX7V

 SZ-30MR HX7V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX7V over the Olympus SZ-30MR

 HX7V SZ-30MR 
Screen resolution921k460kSharper screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony HX7V

 SZ-30MR HX7V 
RevealedMarch 2011July 2011Same age
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony HX7V Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you will want to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-30MR features exterior measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") and a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Sony HX7V has specifications of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).

See the Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony HX7V in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have attached during that time. Here is a front view size comparison of the SZ-30MR against the HX7V.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony HX7V size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ-30MR and HX7V is 89 and 92 respectively.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony HX7V top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony HX7V Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be difficult to visualise the difference in sensor sizes simply by checking out technical specs. The image below will give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-30MR and HX7V.

As you can tell, both cameras come with the identical sensor size and the identical MP therefore you can expect comparable quality of photographs but you should consider the age of the cameras into account.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony HX7V sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony HX7V Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony HX7V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Portrait photography information
Sony HX7V Portrait photography information
34
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
has face detection autofocus
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
30
good resolution (16MP)
lack of manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SZ-30MR
Street photography with Sony HX7V
60
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (226g)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Sports photography details
Sony HX7V Sports photography details
41
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16MP)
has tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery (220 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
39
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR as a Travel photography camera
Sony HX7V as a Travel photography camera
65
lighter than others in class (226 grams)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
low battery (220 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
67
good resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
does not posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR as a Landscape photography camera
Sony HX7V as a Landscape photography camera
41
decently wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
low battery (220 shots)
does not have Time Lapse recording
42
relatively wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Vlogging highlights
Sony HX7V Vlogging highlights
34
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others in class (226 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have external mic jack
32
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not posses selfie friendly display
lack of external mic socket
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony HX7V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony HX7V
 Olympus SZ-30MRSony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model Olympus SZ-30MR Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2011-03-02 2011-07-19
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic III+ BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 125
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology TFT Hypercrystal III Color LCD XtraFine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1700 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.00 m 4.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226 gr (0.50 lbs) 208 gr (0.46 lbs)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 102 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 shots -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model LI-50B NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Retail price $279 $499