Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42

      Olympus SZ-30MR

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
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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 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42, 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 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 was introduced in April 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

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 Highlights

      • 10.1 MP 1/2.5-inch CCD Sensor
      • 80 - 1,000 Native ISO
      • 2.50" 230k dot Fixed Screen
      • 2.3 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 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
      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 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42.

      PROS

      Olympus SZ-30MR

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42

      •   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
      •   1,000 Highest Native ISO
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   Light - 132 g (0.29 lb / 4.66 oz)
      •   Internal Storage

      CONS

      Olympus SZ-30MR

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42

      •   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 - 10.1 Megapixel
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.3 fps
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Low Video Resolution - 640 x 480
      •   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

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42

      •   Sensor Resolution - 16 Megapixel
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Size - 2.50"

      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 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42.

      Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
      Larger Sensor 1/2.3-inch vs 1/2.5-inch
      Higher Sensor Resolution 16 Megapixel vs 10.1 Megapixel
      Higher Native ISO 3,200 vs 1,000
      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 33 mm
      Reachs More Telephoto 600 mm vs 132 mm
      Greater Optical Zoom 24x vs 4x
      Min Macro Focus Distance 1 cm vs 5 cm
      Image Stabilization vs
      Larger Screen 3.0" vs 2.50"
      Higher Resolution Screen 460k dot vs 230k dot
      Spot Metering vs
      Higher Video Resolution 1920 x 1080 vs 640 x 480
      Built-in Microphone Stereo vs Mono
      Orientation Sensor vs

      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
      Image cannot be found

      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

      Samsung SL30
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.33-inch

      10 MP

      Kodak Easyshare M5370
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      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Canon SX120 IS
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      1/2.5-inch

      10.0 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 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42

      Panasonic FS42
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 over Olympus SZ-30MR.

      Olympus SZ-30MR vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
      Maximum Aperture at Wide End f/3.0 vs f/2.8
      Maximum Aperture at Tele End f/6.9 vs f/5.9
      Min Normal Focus Distance 60 cm vs 50 cm
      Lower Min Shutter Speed 4 sec vs 60 sec
      Higher Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) 1/1700 sec vs 1/2000 sec
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 1.7 fps vs 2.3 fps
      Lighter 226 g (0.50 lb / 7.97 oz) vs 132 g (0.29 lb / 4.66 oz)

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42.

      Panasonic FS15
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      1/2.33-inch

      12.1 MP

      Panasonic FS25
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      1/2.33-inch

      12.1 MP

      Panasonic FS12
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      1/2.33-inch

      12 MP

      Olympus SP-800UZ
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      1/2.3-inch

      14 MP

      Canon S110
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      1/1.7-inch

      12.1 MP

      Nikon Z8
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      Full Frame

      45.7 MP

      Leica X Vario
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Canon R7
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      APS-C

      32.5 MP

      Canon R100
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      APS-C

      24.1 MP

      Kodak Z950
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      1/2.33-inch

      12 MP

      Canon 5DS
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      Full Frame

      50.6 MP

      Canon G11
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      1/1.7-inch

      10 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 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
        Video Capture
        Low Native ISO8080
        High Native ISO3,2001,000
        Live View Autofocus
        Built-in Flash
        Light226 g (0.50 lb / 7.97 oz)132 g (0.29 lb / 4.66 oz)
      WEAKNESSES Olympus SZ-30MR Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
        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 sec1/2000 sec
        Low Max Continuous Shooting1.7 fps2.3 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 has a 3.0" screen with 460k dot resolution and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 has a 2.50" screen with 230k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens.

      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. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 features a 10.1 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 - 1,000 and expands to 80 - 6,400 in boosted mode.

      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. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 can take pictures up to 3648 x 2736 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3648 x 2432, 3648 x 2056, 3072 x 2304, 3072 x 2048, 3072 x 1728, 2560 x 1920, 2560 x 1712, 2560 x 1440, 2048 x 1536, 2048 x 1360, 1920 x 1080, 1600 x 1200, 640 x 480 with 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios.

      Image Stabilization on Olympus SZ-30MR

      Olympus SZ-30MR has an 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 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 comes with DMW-BCF10 battery pack.


      External Storage Slots

      Olympus SZ-30MR has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 has a single SD/SDHC card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Shutter speed can go up to 1/1700 sec on Olympus SZ-30MR, and up to 1/2000 sec on Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42. Olympus SZ-30MR can shoot continuously up to 1.7 fps. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 can shoot continuously up to 2.3 fps.


      Flash

      Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 4.00 m on Olympus SZ-30MR and 6.30 m on Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42..

      Physical Parameters

      Olympus SZ-30MR body has dimensions of 106 x 69 x 40 mm (4.17 x 2.72 x 1.57") and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 body has dimensions of 98 x 55 x 22 mm (3.86 x 2.17 x 0.87"). Olympus SZ-30MR weighs 226 g (0.50 lb / 7.97 oz) and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 weighs 132 g (0.29 lb / 4.66 oz).

      Olympus SZ-30MR

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42

      106 mm

      69 mm

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      98 mm

      55 mm

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      69 mm

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      55 mm

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      40 mm

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      22 mm

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      Size comparisons of Olympus SZ-30MR and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42

      Olympus SZ-30MR and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 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

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42

      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

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42

      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
      BAD
      37
      •   1,000 Highest Native ISO
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.3 fps

      Wildlife Photography

      Olympus SZ-30MR

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42

      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
      POOR
      49
      •   1,000 Highest Native ISO
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.3 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Portrait Photography

      Olympus SZ-30MR

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42

      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
      POOR
      41
      •   Small Sensor
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 2.50"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No External Flash Connectivity

      Street Photography

      Olympus SZ-30MR

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42

      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
      81
      •   Small Sensor
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 132 g (0.29 lb / 4.66 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Olympus SZ-30MR

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42

      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
      86
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 640 x 480
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 132 g (0.29 lb / 4.66 oz)

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Olympus SZ-30MR and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 and give them scores of 56 and 39 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

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42

      OVERALL
      56
      OVERALL
      39

      Sensor

      Olympus SZ-30MR

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42

      POOR
      52
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Sensor Resolution - 16 Megapixel
      •   80 Lowest Native ISO
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      BAD
      38
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10.1 Megapixel
      •   80 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,000 Highest Native ISO

      Photo

      Olympus SZ-30MR

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42

      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
      BAD
      26
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.3 fps
      •   No External Flash Connectivity

      Video

      Olympus SZ-30MR

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42

      POOR
      46
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      BAD
      2
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 640 x 480

      Focusing

      Olympus SZ-30MR

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42

      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

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42

      POOR
      53
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      POOR
      48
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 2.50"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder

      Connectivity

      Olympus SZ-30MR

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42

      AVERAGE
      60
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      BAD
      38
      •   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

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42

      POOR
      44
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 226 g (0.50 lb / 7.97 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 220 shots
      POOR
      49
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 132 g (0.29 lb / 4.66 oz)
      •   Internal Storage


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

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