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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony HX9V

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
39
Overall
39
Olympus SZ-30MR front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
46
Overall
41

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony HX9V Key Specs

Olympus SZ-30MR
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
  • Revealed March 2011
Sony HX9V
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 245g - 105 x 59 x 34mm
  • Launched July 2011
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony HX9V Overview

Below is a extensive overview of the Olympus SZ-30MR versus Sony HX9V, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the SZ-30MR (16MP) and the HX9V (16MP) is fairly close and both cameras offer the same sensor size (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SZ-30MR was released 4 months prior to the HX9V and they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a brief overview of how the SZ-30MR grades vs the HX9V with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-30MR over the Sony HX9V

 SZ-30MR HX9V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX9V over the Olympus SZ-30MR

 HX9V SZ-30MR 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Display resolution921k460kClearer display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony HX9V

 SZ-30MR HX9V 
LaunchedMarch 2011July 2011Same generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony HX9V Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you'll need to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-30MR has got exterior measurements 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 HX9V has specifications of 105mm x 59mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus SZ-30MR versus Sony HX9V in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the SZ-30MR and the HX9V.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony HX9V size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-30MR and HX9V is 89 and 91 respectively.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony HX9V top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony HX9V Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be hard to picture the difference in sensor measurements just by researching technical specs. The visual underneath should provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-30MR and HX9V.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the exact same MP and you should expect comparable quality of pictures though you would want to take the release date of the cameras into account.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony HX9V sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony HX9V Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony HX9V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Portrait photography details
Sony HX9V Portrait photography details
34
good MP (16MP)
supports face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
39
manual focus
MP count decent (16MP)
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Street photography highlights
Sony HX9V Street photography highlights
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (226 grams)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (245 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SZ-30MR
Sports photography with Sony HX9V
41
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16MP)
supports tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery power (220 shots)
does not have phase detect autofocus
44
great zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Travel photography factors
Sony HX9V Travel photography factors
65
lighter than others in class (226g)
good MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
low battery power (220 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
69
lighter than competitors in class (245g)
MP count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
very long zoom (384mm)
no Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Landscape photography details
Sony HX9V Landscape photography details
41
relatively wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16MP)
manual focus not available
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not available
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
low battery power (220 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse mode
49
manual focus
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR as a Vlogging camera
Sony HX9V as a Vlogging camera
34
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others in class (226g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have external mic jack
33
reasonably wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors in class (245 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no mic socket
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony HX9V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony HX9V
 Olympus SZ-30MRSony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model Olympus SZ-30MR Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2011-03-02 2011-07-19
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor 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 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT Hypercrystal III Color LCD XtraFine LCD display with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1700 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.00 m 4.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure 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 (60fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226 gr (0.50 lbs) 245 gr (0.54 lbs)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 105 x 59 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 photos -
Style of battery 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 recording
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
Launch price $279 $328