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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony QX100

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
39
Overall
39
Olympus SZ-30MR front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX100 front
Portability
92
Imaging
51
Features
44
Overall
48

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony QX100 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
  • Introduced March 2011
Sony QX100
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • " Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-100mm (F1.8-4.9) lens
  • 179g - 63 x 63 x 56mm
  • Introduced September 2013
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony QX100 Overview

On this page, we will be evaluating the Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony QX100, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Lens-style by brands Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SZ-30MR (16MP) and the QX100 (20MP) is relatively similar but the SZ-30MR (1/2.3") and QX100 (1") have different sensor size.

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The SZ-30MR was introduced 3 years earlier than the QX100 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus SZ-30MR being a Compact camera and the Sony QX100 being a Lens-style camera.

Before getting straight to a thorough comparison, here is a short view of how the SZ-30MR matches up vs the QX100 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-30MR over the Sony QX100

 SZ-30MR QX100 
Screen dimensions3""Bigger screen (+3")
Screen resolution460k0kClearer screen (+460k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony QX100 over the Olympus SZ-30MR

 QX100 SZ-30MR 
IntroducedSeptember 2013March 2011Newer by 30 months
Manual focus More precise focus
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony QX100

 SZ-30MR QX100 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony QX100 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to travel with your camera regularly, you will need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-30MR enjoys physical measurements 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 QX100 has measurements of 63mm x 63mm x 56mm (2.5" x 2.5" x 2.2") having a weight of 179 grams (0.39 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony QX100 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you choose at that time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the SZ-30MR and the QX100.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony QX100 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-30MR and QX100 is 89 and 92 respectively.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony QX100 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony QX100 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its difficult to visualize the difference between sensor dimensions simply by reading technical specs. The pic underneath will give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-30MR and QX100.

As you have seen, both cameras have different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The SZ-30MR with its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF harder and the Sony QX100 will deliver more detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The more aged SZ-30MR is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony QX100 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony QX100 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony QX100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR as a Portrait photography camera
Sony QX100 as a Portrait photography camera
34
resolution is good (16MP)
features face detection focus
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
53
focusing manually
MP count good (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
has face detect autofocus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Street photography info
Sony QX100 Street photography info
60
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (226g)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
71
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good sensor size (1")
comes with focus by touch
no moving screen
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Sports photography details
Sony QX100 Sports photography details
41
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
low frames per second (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (220 shots)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
55
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
not so great battery pack (200 shots)
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Travel photography factors
Sony QX100 Travel photography factors
65
lighter than others in class (226 grams)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
no Time Lapse function
not so great battery power (220 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
69
comes with focus by touch
MP count good (20 megapixels)
relatively wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
missing Timelapse function
not so great battery pack (200 CIPA)
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Landscape photography factors
Sony QX100 Landscape photography factors
41
decently wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual exposure
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
not so great battery power (220 per charge)
no Time Lapse function
54
focusing manually
relatively wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20MP)
good sensor size (1")
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
small screen (")
manual exposure not available
lack of RAW format
not so great battery pack (200 per charge)
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Vlogging highlights
Sony QX100 Vlogging highlights
34
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others in class (226g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
no external mic port
38
relatively wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not offer selfie friendly display
missing microphone socket
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony QX100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony QX100
 Olympus SZ-30MRSony Cyber-shot DSC-QX100
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus SZ-30MR Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX100
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Lens-style
Introduced 2011-03-02 2013-09-05
Physical type Compact Lens-style
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III+ -
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 80 160
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 28-100mm (3.6x)
Maximal aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/1.8-4.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 2.7
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches -
Resolution of display 460k dots 0k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech TFT Hypercrystal III Color LCD Depends on connected smartphone
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1700 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.00 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in None
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226 gr (0.50 lbs) 179 gr (0.39 lbs)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 63 x 63 x 56mm (2.5" x 2.5" x 2.2")
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 shots 200 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B NP-BN,
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2, 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC, Memory Stick Micro
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $279 $268