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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony QX30

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
39
Overall
39
Olympus SZ-30MR front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30 front
Portability
91
Imaging
45
Features
37
Overall
41

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony QX30 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 QX30
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • " Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.3) lens
  • 193g - 68 x 65 x 58mm
  • Revealed September 2014
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony QX30 Overview

The following is a extensive review of the Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony QX30, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Lens-style by companies Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the SZ-30MR (16MP) and the QX30 (20MP) is relatively similar and they enjoy the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ-30MR was released 4 years earlier than the QX30 which is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SZ-30MR being a Compact camera and the Sony QX30 being a Lens-style camera.

Before diving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the SZ-30MR grades versus the QX30 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-30MR over the Sony QX30

 SZ-30MR QX30 
Screen dimension3""Bigger screen (+3")
Screen resolution460k0kClearer screen (+460k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony QX30 over the Olympus SZ-30MR

 QX30 SZ-30MR 
RevealedSeptember 2014March 2011Newer by 42 months
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony QX30

 SZ-30MR QX30 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony QX30 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to travel with your camera regularly, you need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-30MR has outer 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 QX30 has dimensions of 68mm x 65mm x 58mm (2.7" x 2.6" x 2.3") and a weight of 193 grams (0.43 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony QX30 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilising during that time. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the SZ-30MR compared to the QX30.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony QX30 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ-30MR and QX30 is 89 and 91 respectively.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony QX30 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony QX30 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's tough to imagine the gap between sensor dimensions simply by reading specifications. The image here should offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-30MR and QX30.

To sum up, the two cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Sony QX30 to deliver more detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots much more aggressively. The more aged SZ-30MR is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony QX30 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony QX30 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony QX30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Portrait photography information
Sony QX30 Portrait photography information
34
megapixel count decent (16MP)
has face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
38
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
has face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR as a Street photography camera
Sony QX30 as a Street photography camera
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (226g)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes focus via touch
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Sports photography highlights
Sony QX30 Sports photography highlights
41
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has tracking focus
low frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery power (220 shots)
has no phase detect autofocus
47
incredible zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (20MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (200 shots)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Travel photography factors
Sony QX30 Travel photography factors
65
lighter than others in class (226g)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
low battery power (220 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
65
includes focus via touch
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
quite wide (24mm)
long zoom (720mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
terrible battery power (200 shots)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR as a Landscape photography camera
Sony QX30 as a Landscape photography camera
41
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
no manual control
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
low battery power (220 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
39
quite wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (20MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (")
lack of manual mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
terrible battery power (200 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Vlogging advice
Sony QX30 Vlogging advice
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others in class (226 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have mic socket
35
quite wide (24mm)
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
doesn't have microphone support
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony QX30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony QX30
 Olympus SZ-30MRSony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model Olympus SZ-30MR Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Lens-style
Introduced 2011-03-02 2014-09-03
Physical type Compact Lens-style
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III+ Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
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 16 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 5184 x 3888
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.5-6.3
Macro focus range 1cm -
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches -
Display resolution 460k dots 0k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT Hypercrystal III Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1700 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.00 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in None
Hot shoe
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 (60p, 30p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4
Microphone support
Headphone support
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226g (0.50 lb) 193g (0.43 lb)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 68 x 65 x 58mm (2.7" x 2.6" x 2.3")
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 images 200 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model 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 launch $279 $348