Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony S980
89 Imaging
39 Features
39 Overall
39
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94 Imaging
34 Features
17 Overall
27
Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony S980 Key Specs
(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
- Released March 2011
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- 1280 x 720 video
- 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
- 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
- Launched February 2009
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony S980 Overview
Its time to look more in depth at the Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony S980, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. There is a big difference among the image resolutions of the SZ-30MR (16MP) and S980 (12MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").
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The SZ-30MR was announced 2 years later than the S980 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before diving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a simple view of how the SZ-30MR scores against the S980 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony S980 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980. The whole galleries are provided at Olympus SZ-30MR Gallery and Sony S980 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-30MR over the Sony S980
SZ-30MR | S980 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | March 2011 | ![]() | February 2009 | More recent by 25 months |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Olympus SZ-30MR
S980 | SZ-30MR | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More precise focus |
Common features in the Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony S980
SZ-30MR | S980 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Lacking Touch friendly screen |
Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison
For those who are aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-30MR enjoys exterior dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") along with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Sony S980 has proportions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Analyze the Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony S980 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have attached at that moment. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the SZ-30MR compared to the S980.
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Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-30MR and S980 is 89 and 94 respectively.
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, its tough to see the difference in sensor measurements purely by seeing a spec sheet. The photograph underneath should give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-30MR and S980.
As you can see, each of the cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Olympus SZ-30MR to show greater detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more recent SZ-30MR will have an edge in sensor technology.
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder
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Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
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Street Comparison
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Sports Comparison
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Travel Comparison
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Landscape Comparison
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Vlogging Comparison
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony S980 Specifications
Olympus SZ-30MR | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Olympus | Sony |
Model type | Olympus SZ-30MR | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Released | 2011-03-02 | 2009-02-17 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | TruePic III+ | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
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 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | - | 9 |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 25-600mm (24.0x) | 33-132mm (4.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.0-6.9 | f/3.3-5.2 |
Macro focusing range | 1cm | 10cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
Resolution of screen | 460k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Screen tech | TFT Hypercrystal III Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 4 seconds | 2 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/1700 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 2.0fps | 1.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 4.00 m | 3.50 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps)1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | MPEG-4 | Motion JPEG |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 226 grams (0.50 pounds) | 167 grams (0.37 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") | 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
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 | - |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | LI-50B | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Pricing at release | $279 | $300 |