Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony W230
89 Imaging
38 Features
39 Overall
38


95 Imaging
34 Features
25 Overall
30
Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony W230 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
- Introduced March 2011
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 30-120mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
- 156g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
- Introduced February 2009

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony W230 Overview
In this article, we will be matching up the Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony W230, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. There is a considerable difference among the resolutions of the SZ-30MR (16MP) and W230 (12MP) but they feature the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The SZ-30MR was launched 2 years after the W230 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before we go in to a in-depth comparison, below is a quick view of how the SZ-30MR grades against the W230 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony W230 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus SZ-30MR & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230. The complete galleries are available at Olympus SZ-30MR Gallery & Sony W230 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-30MR over the Sony W230
SZ-30MR | W230 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | March 2011 | ![]() | February 2009 | More modern by 25 months |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Olympus SZ-30MR
W230 | SZ-30MR | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial exact focusing |
Common features in the Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony W230
SZ-30MR | W230 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen measurement |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Lack of Touch friendly screen |
Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison
In case you're going to carry around your camera frequently, you need to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-30MR enjoys outside 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 W230 has specifications of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).
Look at the Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony W230 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. Here is the front view size comparison of the SZ-30MR compared to the W230.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-30MR and W230 is 89 and 95 respectively.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it can be hard to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes only by seeing specs. The image below may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-30MR and W230.
All in all, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Olympus SZ-30MR to provide extra detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs far more aggressively. The more modern SZ-30MR should have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony W230 Specifications
Olympus SZ-30MR | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Sony |
Model type | Olympus SZ-30MR | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2011-03-02 | 2009-02-17 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | TruePic III+ | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 12MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
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) | 30-120mm (4.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.0-6.9 | f/2.8-5.8 |
Macro focusing range | 1cm | 4cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3" | 3" |
Screen resolution | 460k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Screen technology | TFT Hypercrystal III Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 4 seconds | 1 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/1700 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 2.0fps | 2.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 4.00 m | 3.90 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AE 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) | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 640x480 |
Video file format | MPEG-4 | Motion JPEG |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 226 gr (0.50 lbs) | 156 gr (0.34 lbs) |
Dimensions | 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") | 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 photos | - |
Battery style | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | LI-50B | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Cost at launch | $279 | $180 |