Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Olympus SZ-30MR

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      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and the Olympus SZ-30MR, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Olympus SZ-16 iHS was introduced in January 2013 and Olympus SZ-30MR was introduced in March 2011. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Olympus SZ-16 iHS Highlights

      • 16 MP 1/2.3-inch CMOS Sensor
      • 80 - 6,400 Native ISO
      • Image Stabilization
      • 3.0" 460k dot Fixed Screen
      • 1.5 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1280 x 720 Video Shooting
      • Built-in Flash

      Olympus SZ-30MR Highlights

      • 16 MP 1/2.3-inch CMOS Sensor
      • 80 - 3,200 Native ISO
      • Image Stabilization
      • 3.0" 460k dot Fixed Screen
      • 1.7 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • Built-in Flash

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Olympus SZ-30MR.

      PROS

      Olympus SZ-16 iHS

      Olympus SZ-30MR

      •   Video Capture
      •   80 Lowest Native ISO
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Light - 226 g (0.50 lb / 7.97 oz)
      •   Orientation Sensor
      •   Video Capture
      •   80 Lowest Native ISO
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Light - 226 g (0.50 lb / 7.97 oz)
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Olympus SZ-16 iHS

      Olympus SZ-30MR

      •   Small Sensor
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.5 fps
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 220 shots
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/1700 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.7 fps
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 220 shots


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Olympus SZ-16 iHS

      Olympus SZ-30MR

      •   Sensor Resolution - 16 Megapixel
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Sensor Resolution - 16 Megapixel
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"

      Advantage of Olympus SZ-16 iHS

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Olympus SZ-16 iHS over Olympus SZ-30MR.

      Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Olympus SZ-30MR
      Higher Native ISO 6,400 vs 3,200
      Higher Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) 1/2000 sec vs 1/1700 sec

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Olympus SZ-16 iHS.

      Advantage of Olympus SZ-30MR

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Olympus SZ-30MR over Olympus SZ-16 iHS.

      Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Olympus SZ-30MR
      Live View Autofocus vs
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 1.5 fps vs 1.7 fps
      Higher Video Resolution 1280 x 720 vs 1920 x 1080

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Olympus SZ-30MR.

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Olympus SZ-16 iHS Olympus SZ-30MR
        Video Capture
        Low Native ISO8080
        High Native ISO6,4003,200
        Face Detection
        Image Stabilization
        Built-in Flash
        HDMI Output Type D Type D
        Light226 g (0.50 lb / 7.97 oz)226 g (0.50 lb / 7.97 oz)
        Orientation Sensor
      WEAKNESSES Olympus SZ-16 iHS Olympus SZ-30MR
        Small Sensor1/2.3-inch1/2.3-inch
        Timelapse Recording
        Few Cross-type Focus Points00
        Screen TypeFixedFixed
        Low Resolution Screen460k dot460k dot
        No Viewfinder
        Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain)1/2000 sec1/1700 sec
        Low Max Continuous Shooting1.5 fps1.7 fps
        No External Flash Connectivity
        Low Video Resolution1280 x 7201920 x 1080
        No Microphone Input
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi Eye-Fi Connection possible
        No Built-In Bluetooth
        No Environmental Sealing
        Short Battery Life220 shots220 shots

      Screen

      Screen

      Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Olympus SZ-30MR have 3.0" Fixed screens with 460k dot resolution.

      Sensor

      Olympus SZ-16 iHS features a 16 megapixel 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a total area of 28.1 mm2. Its native ISO range is 80 - 6,400. Olympus SZ-30MR features a 16 megapixel 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a total area of 20.7 mm2. Its native ISO range is 80 - 3,200.

      Photography Features

      Olympus SZ-16 iHS can take pictures up to 4608 x 3456 resolution. Olympus SZ-30MR is equipped with TruePic III+ processor and can take pictures up to 4608 x 3456 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3264 x 2448, 2560 x 1920, 2048 x 1536, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 640 x 480 with 4:3, 16:9 aspect ratios.


      Image Stabilization

      The cameras have a built-in [y] image stabilization.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. Olympus SZ-16 iHS has a Type D HDMI and Olympus SZ-30MR has a Type D HDMI connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Olympus SZ-30MR come with LI-50B battery pack with battery life of 220 shots.


      External Storage Slots

      Cameras have a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Shutter speed can go up to 1/2000 sec on Olympus SZ-16 iHS, and up to 1/1700 sec on Olympus SZ-30MR. Olympus SZ-16 iHS can shoot continuously up to 1.5 fps. Olympus SZ-30MR can shoot continuously up to 1.7 fps.


      Flash

      Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 4.00 m on Olympus SZ-30MR..

      Physical Parameters

      Olympus SZ-16 iHS body has dimensions of 108 x 70 x 40 mm (4.25 x 2.76 x 1.57") and Olympus SZ-30MR body has dimensions of 106 x 69 x 40 mm (4.17 x 2.72 x 1.57") and they both weigh 226 g (0.50 lb / 7.97 oz).

      Olympus SZ-16 iHS

      Olympus SZ-30MR

      108 mm

      70 mm

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      106 mm

      69 mm

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      70 mm

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      69 mm

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      40 mm

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      40 mm

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      Size comparisons of Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Olympus SZ-30MR

      Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Olympus SZ-30MR for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Olympus SZ-16 iHS

      Olympus SZ-30MR

      POOR
      49
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      POOR
      49
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Olympus SZ-16 iHS

      Olympus SZ-30MR

      AVERAGE
      67
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.5 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 220 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      67
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.7 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 220 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Olympus SZ-16 iHS

      Olympus SZ-30MR

      AVERAGE
      65
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.5 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 220 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      65
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.7 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 220 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Olympus SZ-16 iHS

      Olympus SZ-30MR

      GOOD
      72
      •   Small Sensor
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      72
      •   Small Sensor
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Olympus SZ-16 iHS

      Olympus SZ-30MR

      GOOD
      83
      •   Small Sensor
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 226 g (0.50 lb / 7.97 oz)
      GOOD
      83
      •   Small Sensor
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 226 g (0.50 lb / 7.97 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Olympus SZ-16 iHS

      Olympus SZ-30MR

      EXCELLENT
      85
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 226 g (0.50 lb / 7.97 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 220 shots
      EXCELLENT
      86
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 226 g (0.50 lb / 7.97 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 220 shots

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Olympus SZ-30MR and give them scores of 55 and 56 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Olympus SZ-16 iHS

      Olympus SZ-30MR

      OVERALL
      55
      OVERALL
      56

      Sensor

      Olympus SZ-16 iHS

      Olympus SZ-30MR

      POOR
      52
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Sensor Resolution - 16 Megapixel
      •   80 Lowest Native ISO
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      POOR
      52
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Sensor Resolution - 16 Megapixel
      •   80 Lowest Native ISO
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO

      Photo

      Olympus SZ-16 iHS

      Olympus SZ-30MR

      AVERAGE
      60
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.5 fps
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      AVERAGE
      60
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/1700 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.7 fps
      •   No External Flash Connectivity

      Video

      Olympus SZ-16 iHS

      Olympus SZ-30MR

      POOR
      43
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      POOR
      46
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080

      Focusing

      Olympus SZ-16 iHS

      Olympus SZ-30MR

      AVERAGE
      65
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      AVERAGE
      68
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Olympus SZ-16 iHS

      Olympus SZ-30MR

      POOR
      53
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      POOR
      53
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Viewfinder

      Connectivity

      Olympus SZ-16 iHS

      Olympus SZ-30MR

      AVERAGE
      60
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      AVERAGE
      60
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Olympus SZ-16 iHS

      Olympus SZ-30MR

      POOR
      44
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 226 g (0.50 lb / 7.97 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 220 shots
      POOR
      44
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 226 g (0.50 lb / 7.97 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 220 shots


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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