Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony RX1

Its time to look more in depth at the Olympus SZ-30MR versus Sony RX1, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Large Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Sony. There is a sizable difference among the image resolutions of the SZ-30MR (16MP) and RX1 (24MP) and the SZ-30MR (1/2.3") and RX1 (Full frame) provide different sensor sizes.

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The SZ-30MR was brought out 24 months prior to the RX1 making them a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus SZ-30MR being a Compact camera and the Sony RX1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before going right into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the SZ-30MR matches up versus the RX1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus SZ-30MR & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1. The entire galleries are provided at Olympus SZ-30MR Gallery & Sony RX1 Gallery.

For those who are looking to carry your camera regularly, you will need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-30MR enjoys outer measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Sony RX1 has measurements of 113mm x 65mm x 70mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8") along with a weight of 482 grams (1.06 lbs).

Compare the Olympus SZ-30MR versus Sony RX1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Here is a front view scale comparison of the SZ-30MR versus the RX1.

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-30MR and RX1 is 89 and 79 respectively.

Generally, its difficult to imagine the difference in sensor sizing just by checking out specifications. The visual here will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-30MR and RX1.

To sum up, each of these cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The SZ-30MR due to its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF harder and the Sony RX1 will provide more detail having its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos way more aggressively. The older SZ-30MR will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.