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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony W690

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
39
Overall
39
Olympus SZ-30MR front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
32
Overall
36

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony W690 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-30MR
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
  • Launched March 2011
Sony W690
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 142g - 94 x 56 x 22mm
  • Launched February 2012
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony W690 Overview

On this page, we are comparing the Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony W690, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the SZ-30MR (16MP) and the W690 (16MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras posses the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ-30MR was unveiled 12 months prior to the W690 so they are of a similar age. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick summary of how the SZ-30MR matches up against the W690 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-30MR over the Sony W690

 SZ-30MR W690 
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W690 over the Olympus SZ-30MR

 W690 SZ-30MR 
LaunchedFebruary 2012March 2011Newer by 12 months

Common features in the Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony W690

 SZ-30MR W690 
Focus manually No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony W690 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-30MR enjoys exterior 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 W690 has dimensions of 94mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs).

Examine the Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony W690 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the SZ-30MR against the W690.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony W690 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-30MR and W690 is 89 and 95 respectively.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony W690 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony W690 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is hard to see the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by seeing a spec sheet. The picture here will provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-30MR and W690.

As you can see, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the same megapixels so you can expect comparable quality of images although you have to consider the launch date of the cameras into account. The more aged SZ-30MR will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony W690 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony W690 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony W690 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Portrait photography factors
Sony W690 Portrait photography factors
34
good MP (16MP)
features face detection focus
no manual focus
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
34
good resolution (16 megapixels)
provides face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR as a Street photography camera
Sony W690 as a Street photography camera
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (226 grams)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
57
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Sports photography factors
Sony W690 Sports photography factors
41
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery (220 shots)
lacks phase detect auto focus
40
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Travel photography information
Sony W690 Travel photography information
65
lighter than others in class (226 grams)
good MP (16MP)
has built in flash
quite wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
terrible battery (220 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
68
good resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
long reach (250mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Landscape photography info
Sony W690 Landscape photography info
41
quite wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
no manual mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
terrible battery (220 shots)
does not have Timelapse mode
43
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
lack of manual exposure
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Vlogging advice
Sony W690 Vlogging advice
34
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others in class (226 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have external microphone port
31
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone jack
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony W690 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony W690
 Olympus SZ-30MRSony Cyber-shot DSC-W690
General Information
Company Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus SZ-30MR Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2011-03-02 2012-02-28
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III+ BIONZ
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 area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech TFT Hypercrystal III Color LCD ClearPhoto TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1700 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 3.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4 MPEG-4
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 gr (0.50 pounds) 142 gr (0.31 pounds)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 94 x 56 x 22mm (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 220 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Price at release $279 $297