Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony RX100 VA

Its time to take a closer look at the Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony RX100 VA, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the SZ-30MR (16MP) and the RX100 VA (20MP) is pretty close but the SZ-30MR (1/2.3") and RX100 VA (1") offer totally different sensor measurements.

Photography Glossary

The SZ-30MR was introduced 8 years prior to the RX100 VA which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus SZ-30MR being a Compact camera and the Sony RX100 VA being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before delving straight to a complete comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the SZ-30MR grades versus the RX100 VA in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Following is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus SZ-30MR & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V(A). The whole galleries are viewable at Olympus SZ-30MR Gallery & Sony RX100 VA Gallery.

For anybody who is aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor in its weight and volume. 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 RX100 VA has sizing of 102mm x 58mm x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") with a weight of 299 grams (0.66 lbs).

Check out the Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony RX100 VA in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have attached during that time. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the SZ-30MR versus the RX100 VA.

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-30MR and RX100 VA is 89 and 89 respectively.

Oftentimes, it is very tough to envision the gap in sensor dimensions only by looking through specs. The picture underneath might offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-30MR and RX100 VA.

All in all, each of these cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The SZ-30MR with its smaller sensor will make getting shallow depth of field more difficult and the Sony RX100 VA will provide you with extra detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs more aggressively. The more aged SZ-30MR will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.