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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony WX50

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
39
Overall
39
Olympus SZ-30MR front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
36
Overall
37

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony WX50 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 WX50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.6-6.3) lens
  • 117g - 92 x 52 x 19mm
  • Released January 2012
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony WX50 Overview

In this write-up, we are evaluating the Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony WX50, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the SZ-30MR (16MP) and the WX50 (16MP) is fairly similar and they feature the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SZ-30MR was announced 11 months prior to the WX50 so they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going through a step-by-step comparison, below is a short overview of how the SZ-30MR grades against the WX50 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-30MR over the Sony WX50

 SZ-30MR WX50 
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Sony WX50 over the Olympus SZ-30MR

 WX50 SZ-30MR 
ReleasedJanuary 2012March 2011Fresher by 11 months
Display resolution461k460kClearer display (+1k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony WX50

 SZ-30MR WX50 
Manual focus No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony WX50 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera often, you'll need to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-30MR features external measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") having a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Sony WX50 has measurements of 92mm x 52mm x 19mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.7") having a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Look at the Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony WX50 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you select at the time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the SZ-30MR and the WX50.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony WX50 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-30MR and WX50 is 89 and 96 respectively.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony WX50 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony WX50 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be hard to see the gap between sensor sizing only by reading technical specs. The photograph underneath will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-30MR and WX50.

As you have seen, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same MP so you should expect similar quality of images but you might want to factor the production date of the products into consideration. The older SZ-30MR is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony WX50 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony WX50 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony WX50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Portrait photography details
Sony WX50 Portrait photography details
34
MP count decent (16MP)
offers face detect focus
no manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
34
megapixel count good (16MP)
offers face detect focusing
manual focus not available
no manual control
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SZ-30MR
Street photography with Sony WX50
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (117 grams)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Sports photography factors
Sony WX50 Sports photography factors
41
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16MP)
offers tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery life (220 CIPA)
no phase detect auto focus
44
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
offers tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Travel photography info
Sony WX50 Travel photography info
65
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
MP count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
bad battery life (220 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
69
lighter than others (117 grams)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
no Time Lapse mode
does not have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR as a Landscape photography camera
Sony WX50 as a Landscape photography camera
41
reasonably wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
no manual control
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
bad battery life (220 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
38
fairly wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual control
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Vlogging information
Sony WX50 Vlogging information
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have mic support
35
fairly wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others (117g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
does not have selfie friendly display
no mic port
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony WX50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony WX50
 Olympus SZ-30MRSony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model Olympus SZ-30MR Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2011-03-02 2012-01-30
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III+ BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
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 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 3200 12800
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-125mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/2.6-6.3
Macro focus distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 461 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT Hypercrystal III Color LCD Clearfoto TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1700 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.00 m 5.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps)1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226 grams (0.50 pounds) 117 grams (0.26 pounds)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 92 x 52 x 19mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 220 photographs 240 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $279 $250