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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony W230

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
39
Overall
39
Olympus SZ-30MR front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
25
Overall
31

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony W230 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-30MR
(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
Sony W230
(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
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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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-30MR over the Sony W230

 SZ-30MR W230 
IntroducedMarch 2011February 2009More modern by 25 months
Screen resolution460k230kClearer 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 typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony W230 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Portrait photography info
Sony W230 Portrait photography info
34
MP count good (16 megapixels)
supports face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
27
focusing manually
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR as a Street photography camera
Sony W230 as a Street photography camera
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (226g)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
57
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR as a Sports photography camera
Sony W230 as a Sports photography camera
41
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16MP)
supports tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery (220 CIPA)
lacks phase detect AF
25
image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Travel photography highlights
Sony W230 Travel photography highlights
65
lighter than others in class (226g)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
terrible battery (220 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
51
built-in flash
no Time Lapse function
MP count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-30MR
Landscape photography with Sony W230
41
relatively wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
terrible battery (220 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse recording
37
focusing manually
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual mode not available
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Vlogging info
Sony W230 Vlogging info
34
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others in class (226 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of mic socket
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (640 x 480 pxls)
no external mic support
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony W230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony W230
 Olympus SZ-30MRSony 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