Olympus SZ-30MR vs Canon PowerShot SX120 IS

      Olympus SZ-30MR

      Canon PowerShot SX120 IS
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      47
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      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Olympus SZ-30MR and the Canon PowerShot SX120 IS, 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-30MR was introduced in March 2011 and Canon PowerShot SX120 IS was introduced in August 2009. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      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

      Canon PowerShot SX120 IS Highlights

      • 10.0 MP 1/2.5-inch CCD Sensor
      • 80 - 1,600 Native ISO
      • Image Stabilization
      • 3.0" 230k dot Fixed Screen
      • 0.9 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 640 x 480 Video Shooting
      • Built-in Flash
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Olympus SZ-30MR
      4. Advantage of Canon PowerShot SX120 IS
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Screen
      7. Sensor
      8. Photography Features
      9. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
      10. Other Features
      11. Physical Parameters
      12. For Different Types of Photography
      13. Evaluations
      14. Specifications  

      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-30MR and Canon PowerShot SX120 IS.

      PROS

      Olympus SZ-30MR

      Canon PowerShot SX120 IS

      •   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
      •   Video Capture
      •   80 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   High Flash Sync Speed - 1/500 sec
      •   Light - 285 g (0.63 lb / 10.05 oz)
      •   Internal Storage
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Olympus SZ-30MR

      Canon PowerShot SX120 IS

      •   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
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10.0 Megapixel
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2500 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 0.9 fps
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Low Video Resolution - 640 x 480
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing


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

      AVERAGE

      Olympus SZ-30MR

      Canon PowerShot SX120 IS

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

      Advantage of Olympus SZ-30MR

      Olympus SZ-30MR
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Olympus SZ-30MR over Canon PowerShot SX120 IS.

      Olympus SZ-30MR vs Canon PowerShot SX120 IS
      Larger Sensor 1/2.3-inch vs 1/2.5-inch
      Higher Sensor Resolution 16 Megapixel vs 10.0 Megapixel
      Higher Native ISO 3,200 vs 1,600
      Max Image Resolution 4608 x 3456 vs 3648 x 2736
      Multi Area Autofocus vs
      Tracking Autofocus vs
      Face Detection vs
      Reaches Wider Angle 25 mm vs 36 mm
      Reachs More Telephoto 600 mm vs 360 mm
      Greater Optical Zoom 24x vs 10x
      Higher Resolution Screen 460k dot vs 230k dot
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 1.7 fps vs 0.9 fps
      Higher Video Resolution 1920 x 1080 vs 640 x 480
      HDMI Output Type D vs
      Built-in Microphone Stereo vs Mono
      Lighter 226 g (0.50 lb / 7.97 oz) vs 285 g (0.63 lb / 10.05 oz)

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

      Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
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      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Olympus SZ-15
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      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Olympus SZ-10
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      14 MP

      Olympus SZ-16 iHS
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      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Olympus SZ-12
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      14 MP

      Olympus SZ-11
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      14 MP

      Panasonic FS42
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      1/2.5-inch

      10.1 MP

      Samsung SL30
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      1/2.33-inch

      10 MP

      Kodak Easyshare M5370
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      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Canon R100
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      APS-C

      24.1 MP

      Canon S100
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      1/1.7-inch

      12.1 MP

      Fujifilm AV200
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      1/2.3-inch

      14.0 MP

      Advantage of Canon PowerShot SX120 IS

      Canon SX120 IS
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Canon PowerShot SX120 IS over Olympus SZ-30MR.

      Olympus SZ-30MR vs Canon PowerShot SX120 IS
      Maximum Aperture at Wide End f/3.0 vs f/2.8
      Maximum Aperture at Tele End f/6.9 vs f/4.3
      Lower Min Shutter Speed 4 sec vs 15 sec
      Higher Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) 1/1700 sec vs 1/2500 sec
      Manual Exposure Mode vs
      Aperture Priority vs
      Shutter Priority vs
      Center Weighted Metering vs

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Canon PowerShot SX120 IS.

      Canon SX160 IS
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      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Canon SX150 IS
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      1/2.3-inch

      14.1 MP

      Canon SX130 IS
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      1/2.3-inch

      12.1 MP

      Canon SX170 IS
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      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Sony a7S III
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      Full Frame

      12.1 MP

      Canon R10
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      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Canon R50
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      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Canon Rebel T5
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      APS-C

      18.0 MP

      Ricoh GR Digital IV
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      1/1.7-inch

      10.0 MP

      Canon R7
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      APS-C

      32.5 MP

      Panasonic TS5
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      1/2.33-inch

      16.1 MP

      Sony a7 III
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      Full Frame

      24.2 MP

      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-30MR Canon PowerShot SX120 IS
        Video Capture
        Low Native ISO8080
        High Native ISO3,2001,600
        Live View Autofocus
        Image Stabilization
        Built-in Flash
        Light226 g (0.50 lb / 7.97 oz)285 g (0.63 lb / 10.05 oz)
        Orientation Sensor
      WEAKNESSES Olympus SZ-30MR Canon PowerShot SX120 IS
        Small Sensor1/2.3-inch1/2.5-inch
        Timelapse Recording
        Screen TypeFixedFixed
        Low Resolution Screen460k dot230k dot
        No Viewfinder
        Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain)1/1700 sec1/2500 sec
        Low Max Continuous Shooting1.7 fps0.9 fps
        No External Flash Connectivity
        Low Video Resolution1920 x 1080640 x 480
        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

      Screen

      Screen

      Olympus SZ-30MR and Canon PowerShot SX120 IS have 3.0" Fixed screens with 460k dot and 230k dot resolutions respectively.

      Sensor

      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 28.1 mm2. Its native ISO range is 80 - 3,200. Canon PowerShot SX120 IS features a 10.0 megapixel 1/2.5-inch CCD sensor with dimensions of 5.744 x 4.308 mm and a total area of 18.6 mm2. Its native ISO range is 80 - 1,600.

      Photography Features

      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. Canon PowerShot SX120 IS is equipped with DIGIC 4 processor and can take pictures up to 3648 x 2736 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3648 x 2048, 2816 x 2112, 2272 x 1704, 1600 x 1200, 640 x 480, 3456 x 1944 with 4:3, 3:2 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. connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Olympus SZ-30MR comes with LI-50B battery pack with battery life of 220 shots and Canon PowerShot SX120 IS comes with 2 x AA battery pack.


      External Storage Slots

      Olympus SZ-30MR has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot. Canon PowerShot SX120 IS has a single SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Shutter speed can go up to 1/1700 sec on Olympus SZ-30MR, and up to 1/2500 sec on Canon PowerShot SX120 IS. Olympus SZ-30MR can shoot continuously up to 1.7 fps. Canon PowerShot SX120 IS can shoot continuously up to 0.9 fps.


      Flash

      Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 4.00 m on Olympus SZ-30MR and 3.00 m on Canon PowerShot SX120 IS. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/500 sec on Canon PowerShot SX120 IS.

      Physical Parameters

      Olympus SZ-30MR body has dimensions of 106 x 69 x 40 mm (4.17 x 2.72 x 1.57") and Canon PowerShot SX120 IS body has dimensions of 111 x 71 x 45 mm (4.37 x 2.8 x 1.77"). Olympus SZ-30MR weighs 226 g (0.50 lb / 7.97 oz) and Canon PowerShot SX120 IS weighs 285 g (0.63 lb / 10.05 oz).

      Olympus SZ-30MR

      Canon PowerShot SX120 IS

      106 mm

      69 mm

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      111 mm

      71 mm

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      69 mm

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      71 mm

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      Size comparisons of Olympus SZ-30MR and Canon PowerShot SX120 IS

      Olympus SZ-30MR and Canon PowerShot SX120 IS 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-30MR

      Canon PowerShot SX120 IS

      POOR
      49
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      POOR
      41
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Olympus SZ-30MR

      Canon PowerShot SX120 IS

      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
      AVERAGE
      55
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 0.9 fps
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Olympus SZ-30MR

      Canon PowerShot SX120 IS

      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
      AVERAGE
      61
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 0.9 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Olympus SZ-30MR

      Canon PowerShot SX120 IS

      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
      AVERAGE
      60
      •   Small Sensor
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   High Flash Sync Speed - 1/500 sec
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Olympus SZ-30MR

      Canon PowerShot SX120 IS

      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
      82
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 285 g (0.63 lb / 10.05 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Olympus SZ-30MR

      Canon PowerShot SX120 IS

      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
      EXCELLENT
      85
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 640 x 480
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 285 g (0.63 lb / 10.05 oz)

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Olympus SZ-30MR and Canon PowerShot SX120 IS and give them scores of 56 and 47 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-30MR

      Canon PowerShot SX120 IS

      OVERALL
      56
      OVERALL
      47

      Sensor

      Olympus SZ-30MR

      Canon PowerShot SX120 IS

      POOR
      52
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Sensor Resolution - 16 Megapixel
      •   80 Lowest Native ISO
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      BAD
      39
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10.0 Megapixel
      •   80 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO

      Photo

      Olympus SZ-30MR

      Canon PowerShot SX120 IS

      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
      AVERAGE
      58
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2500 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 0.9 fps
      •   High Flash Sync Speed - 1/500 sec
      •   No External Flash Connectivity

      Video

      Olympus SZ-30MR

      Canon PowerShot SX120 IS

      POOR
      46
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      POOR
      41
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 640 x 480

      Focusing

      Olympus SZ-30MR

      Canon PowerShot SX120 IS

      AVERAGE
      68
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      AVERAGE
      59
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Olympus SZ-30MR

      Canon PowerShot SX120 IS

      POOR
      53
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      POOR
      52
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder

      Connectivity

      Olympus SZ-30MR

      Canon PowerShot SX120 IS

      AVERAGE
      60
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      BAD
      36
      •   No 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-30MR

      Canon PowerShot SX120 IS

      POOR
      44
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 226 g (0.50 lb / 7.97 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 220 shots
      POOR
      47
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 285 g (0.63 lb / 10.05 oz)
      •   Internal Storage


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

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