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Olympus SH-3 vs Sony HX30V

Portability
88
Imaging
41
Features
51
Overall
45
Olympus Stylus SH-3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Olympus SH-3 vs Sony HX30V Key Specs

Olympus SH-3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 271g - 109 x 63 x 42mm
  • Released February 2016
  • Superseded the Olympus SH-2
Sony HX30V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Launched February 2012
  • Superseded the Sony HX20V
  • Later Model is Sony HX50V
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Olympus SH-3 vs Sony HX30V Overview

Below is a comprehensive overview of the Olympus SH-3 and Sony HX30V, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by competitors Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the SH-3 (16MP) and the HX30V (18MP) is fairly comparable and they enjoy the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SH-3 was brought out 4 years later than the HX30V and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving through a in depth comparison, below is a brief summary of how the SH-3 grades versus the HX30V in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SH-3 over the Sony HX30V

 SH-3 HX30V 
LaunchedFebruary 2016February 2012More recent by 49 months
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony HX30V over the Olympus SH-3

 HX30V SH-3 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Display resolution922k460kCrisper display (+462k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SH-3 and Sony HX30V

 SH-3 HX30V 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Olympus SH-3 vs Sony HX30V Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to lug around your camera often, you should factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus SH-3 enjoys outside dimensions of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") and a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs) whilst the Sony HX30V has measurements of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") having a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus SH-3 and Sony HX30V in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have at the time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the SH-3 versus the HX30V.

Olympus SH-3 vs Sony HX30V size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SH-3 and HX30V is 88 and 90 respectively.

Olympus SH-3 vs Sony HX30V top view buttons comparison

Olympus SH-3 vs Sony HX30V Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be difficult to imagine the difference in sensor measurements only by seeing a spec sheet. The visual underneath might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the SH-3 and HX30V.

As you can see, both of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different megapixels. You should anticipate the Sony HX30V to provide extra detail having its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images much more aggressively. The more modern SH-3 provides an edge in sensor innovation.

Olympus SH-3 vs Sony HX30V sensor size comparison

Olympus SH-3 vs Sony HX30V Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SH-3 vs Sony HX30V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SH-3 Portrait photography advice
Sony HX30V Portrait photography advice
44
resolution is good (16MP)
has face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
no manual focus
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
45
has manual focus
good MP (18MP)
supports face detect focusing
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SH-3 Street photography info
Sony HX30V Street photography info
70
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW files
comes with touch focus
lighter than competition in class (271g)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (254g)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SH-3
Sports photography with Sony HX30V
51
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
has tracking focus
great battery pack (380 CIPA)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
49
excellent zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (18MP)
supports tracking focus
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SH-3
Travel photography with Sony HX30V
74
great battery pack (380 per charge)
lighter than competition in class (271g)
comes with touch focus
resolution is good (16MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
69
lighter than others (254g)
good MP (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
very long zoom (500mm)
lack of Timelapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SH-3 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony HX30V as a Landscape photography camera
55
fairly wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
supports RAW files
great battery pack (380 shots)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
50
has manual focus
fairly wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (18 megapixels)
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SH-3 Vlogging information
Sony HX30V Vlogging information
35
fairly wide (25mm)
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect autofocus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (271g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
display isn't selfie friendly
no microphone support
34
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others (254 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of microphone support
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Olympus SH-3 vs Sony HX30V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SH-3 and Sony HX30V
 Olympus Stylus SH-3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model Olympus Stylus SH-3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2016-02-08 2012-02-28
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VII BIONZ
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
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 16 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 125 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Max aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focus distance 3cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech - XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 11.5 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 8.30 m (at ISO 3200) 7.10 m
Flash options Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 (15 fps), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 271 gr (0.60 lbs) 254 gr (0.56 lbs)
Dimensions 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
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 380 photos 320 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-92B NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $579 $420