Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony HX20V Comparison

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Olympus SZ-30MR

16 MP | 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) CMOS Sensor

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Sony HX20V

18 MP | 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) BSI-CMOS Sensor

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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony HX20V Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing SZ-30MR and HX20V, two Small Sensor Superzoom cameras from Olympus and Sony. Both cameras have 1/2.3-inch sensors but Olympus SZ-30MR has a 16.0 MP and Sony HX20V has a 18.0 MP resolution. Olympus SZ-30MR was introduced to market in March 2011 and Sony HX20V was launched in July 2012. There is 17 months difference between SZ-30MR and HX20V so we don't expect to see a huge technology difference between these two cameras but it would still give an advantage to younger HX20V, especially in sensor tech.

Here is a brief look at the main features of Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony HX20V before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Olympus SZ-30MR Key Specs

Announcement Date: 2011-03-02

16MP - 1/2.3-inch CMOS Sensor

ISO 80 - 3200

25-600 mm F3.0-6.9 Zoom Lens

Sensor-shift Image Stabilization

3" Fixed Type Screen

2 fps continuous shooting

Full HD - 1920 x 1080 video resolution

226g. 106 x 69 x 40 mm

Sony HX20V Key Specs

Announcement Date: 2012-07-20

18MP - 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS Sensor

ISO 100 - 12800

25-500 mm F3.2-5.8 Zoom Lens

Optical Image Stabilization

3" Fixed Type Screen

10 fps continuous shooting

Full HD - 1920 x 1080 video resolution

Built-in GPS

254g. 107 x 62 x 35 mm

Replaced Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX10V Compare

Sony HX20V was replaced by Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V. You may also be interested in these comparisons:
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V vs Olympus SZ-30MR

Let's read on the following sections in order to better understand in detail how Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony HX20V compares and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one is better for you.

Reasons to choose Olympus SZ-30MR over Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V

Max Mech. Shutter	1/1700s vs 1/1600s	faster mechanical shutter
Weight	226 g vs 254 g	28 g lighter
Focal Length - Tele	600mm vs 500mm	100 mm longer tele reach
Optical Zoom	24× vs 20×	more flexible focal coverage
Max Aperture - Wide	3.00 vs 3.20	faster lens at wide

Reasons to choose Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V over Olympus SZ-30MR

GPS	BuiltIn vs None	track your location
Max Sensor Resolution	18 MP vs 16 MP	12% more pixels
Max ISO	12.800 vs 3.200	300% higher Max ISO
LCD Screen Resolution	922k dots vs 460k dots	100% higher resolution screen
Continuous Shooting	10.0fps vs 2.0fps	8 fps faster
Battery Life	320 shots vs 220 shots	100 more frames with a single charge
Manual Exposure	Yes vs No	better exposure control
Max Aperture - Tele	5.80 vs 6.90	faster lens at tele
Flash Coverage	7.1m vs 4.0m	3.1m longer range

Common Strengths of Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V

Image Stabilization	Sensor-shift vs Optical	Sharper images at longer focal lengths and long exposures
Built-in Flash	Yes vs Yes	Useful in low-light
Face Detection Focus	Yes vs Yes	very handy for portraits
Focal Length - Tele	600mm vs 500mm	Very good Telezoom

Common Weaknesses of Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V

Fixed Screen	Fixed Type vs No	No flexible viewing angles
External Flash Shoe	No vs No	Not suitable for flash photography
Viewfinder	None vs None	No eye-level shooting option
RAW Support	No vs No	Lower image quality
Environmental Sealing	No vs No	not suitable for tough conditions
Max Aperture - Tele	6.90 vs 5.80	Slow lenses at tele

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony HX20V: Physical Specs and Body features Comparison

Size and weight is a big decision factor when you are trying to find the ideal camera for your needs. In this section, We are going to illustrate Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony HX20V side-by-side from the front, back and top in their relative dimensions. Olympus SZ-30MR has external dimensions of 106 x 69 x 40 mm (4.17 x 2.72 x 1.57″) and weighs 226 g (0.50 lb / 7.97 oz) (including batteries). Sony HX20V has external dimensions of 107 x 62 x 35 mm (4.21 x 2.44 x 1.38″) and weighs 254 g (0.56 lb / 8.96 oz) (including batteries).

Below you can see the front view size comparison of Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony HX20V. Sony HX20V is 7mm shorter and 5mm thinner than Olympus SZ-30MR but it is also 1mm wider.

Comparison image of Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony HX20V Size, Weight and External Dimensions - Front View

Now lets look at the top view comparison of Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony HX20V.

Top View Comparison image of Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony HX20V Size

Weight is another important factor especially when deciding on a camera that you want to carry with you all day. Olympus SZ-30MR is 28g lighter than the Sony HX20V but we don't think this will make a significant difference.

Weight Comparison

Compact Cameras

SZ-30MR

HX20V

Min

Average

Max

Thickness Comparison

Compact Cameras

SZ-30MR

HX20V

Min

Average

Max

Weather Sealing

Unfortunately neither Olympus SZ-30MR nor Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V provides any type of weather sealing in their body, so you have to give extra care especially when you are shooting outdoors. If weather sealing is a must-have feature for you, check these sections:
Top Compact Cameras with Weather Sealing

LCD Screen Size and Features

Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony HX20V's LCD screens has the same diagonal size of 3".

Unfortunately, both cameras has fixed screens so they don't tilt or flip in directions.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony HX20V: Sensor Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR has a 16.0MP 1/2.3-inch (6.17 x 4.55 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features TruePic III+ processor. On the other hand, Sony HX20V has a 18.0MP 1/2.3-inch (6.17 x 4.55 mm ) sized BSI-CMOS sensor and features BIONZ processor.

Below you can see the SZ-30MR and HX20V sensor size comparison.

Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony HX20V Cameras

Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony HX20V have sensor sizes so they will provide same level of control over the depth of field when used with same focal length and aperture.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony HX20V Lens Specs Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR features a 25-600 mm F3.0-6.9 24× zoom lens whereas Sony HX20V features a 25-500 mm F3.2-5.8 20× zoom lens.

Both cameras have a wide angle coverage of 25mm. On the other hand, with a max aperture of f3.00, Olympus SZ-30MR is faster than Sony HX20V at this focal length. On the tele end, Olympus SZ-30MR has 100mm longer reach than the Sony HX20V. However, with a max aperture of f5.80, Sony HX20V is faster at tele end.

Wide Coverage

Compact Cameras

SZ-30MR

HX20V

Widest - Ricoh WG-M1

Average

Telezoom

Compact Cameras

SZ-30MR

HX20V

Longest - Canon SX520 HS

Average

Max Aperture at Tele

Compact Cameras

SZ-30MR

HX20V

Fastest - Ricoh GR Digital IV

Average

Max Aperture at Wide

Compact Cameras

SZ-30MR

HX20V

Fastest - Leica D-Lux 6

Average

What types of Photography are Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony HX20V Good for?

In this section, we rank and compare Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony HX20V for five different photography types in order to make your decision process easier in case you are specifically interested in one or more of these areas.

Olympus SZ-30MR for Portrait Photography

POOR

Sony HX20V for Portrait Photography

POOR

Image Stabilization
Average Resolution Sensor: 16.0MP
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
No Built-in Viewfinder
No Manual Focus Mode
No Manual Exposure Mode
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Read the details

Very High Resolution Sensor: 18.0MP
Image Stabilization
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
No Built-in Viewfinder
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Read the details

Olympus SZ-30MR for Street Photography

GOOD

Sony HX20V for Street Photography

GOOD

Image Stabilization
Small Body
Live-view
Face-Detection Focusing
25 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No Built-in Viewfinder
No Manual Focus Mode
Read the details

Image Stabilization
Manual Focus Mode
Small Body
Live-view
Face-Detection Focusing
25 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No Built-in Viewfinder
Read the details

Olympus SZ-30MR for Sports Photography

POOR

Sony HX20V for Sports Photography

POOR

Image Stabilization
600 mm Tele Lens
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
No Built-in Viewfinder
No Manual Focus Mode
No Manual Exposure Mode
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Slow Continuous Shooting: 2.0fps
Environmental Sealings
Slow Max shutter speed: 1/1700s
Unknown Focus Points
Poor Battery Life: 220 shots
Slow Lens at Tele: f6.90
Read the details

Image Stabilization
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
Fast Continuous Shooting: 10.0fps
500 mm Tele Lens
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
No Built-in Viewfinder
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Environmental Sealings
Slow Max shutter speed: 1/1600s
9 Focus Points
Slow Lens at Tele: f5.80
Read the details

Olympus SZ-30MR for Daily Photography

GOOD

Sony HX20V for Daily Photography

GOOD

Compact Body
226g
24.0X Optical Zoom
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
Body Thickness 40mm
Read the details

Compact Body
254g
20.0X Optical Zoom
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
Read the details

Olympus SZ-30MR for Landscape Photography

POOR

Sony HX20V for Landscape Photography

POOR

25 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Average Resolution Sensor: 16.0MP
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No Manual Focus Mode
No Manual Exposure Mode
No Environmental Sealings
Read the details

Very High Resolution Sensor: 18.0MP
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
Built-in GPS
25 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No Environmental Sealings
Read the details

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Sony HX20V: OUR DECISION

You may have already made your decision about which camera suits better for your needs and your budget so far but in case you wonder how we rated Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony HX20V, below you can find their scores in five different aspects. Our Decision Algorithm dynamically scores cameras using 63 different specs, current price and DxO Mark scores (where possible) in order to make a more objective and consistent comparison.

Here is a summary of how Olympus SZ-30MR and Sony HX20V scores compare:

Olympus SZ-30MR

Imaging

Features

Value

Portability

Overall

Ranked #213 out of 475 in Compact cameras
Ranked #790 out of 1223 in all Cameras

Sony HX20V

Imaging

Features

Value

Portability

Overall

Ranked #138 out of 475 in Compact cameras
Ranked #647 out of 1223 in all Cameras

Sony HX20V has a higher Overall Score than the Olympus SZ-30MR and would be our choice if we have to decide between these two cameras.

Sony HX20V vs Olympus SZ-30MR Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications

General	Olympus SZ-30MR	Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
Brand	Olympus	Sony
Announced	2011-03-02	2012-07-20
Body Type	Compact	Compact
Sensor
Type	CMOS	BSI-CMOS
Size	1/2.3-inch	1/2.3-inch
Dimensions	6.17 x 4.55 mm	6.17 x 4.55 mm
Area	28.07mm²	28.07mm²
Megapixels	16 megapixels	18 megapixels
Max Resolution	4608 x 3456	4896 x 3672
Max Native Light sensitivity	3,200 ISO	12,800 ISO
Min Native Light sensitivity	80 ISO	100 ISO
RAW Support
Autofocus
AF Touch
AF Continuous
AF Single
AF Tracking
AF Selective
AF Center
AF Multi Area
AF Live View
AF Face Detection
AF Contrast Detection
AF Phase Detection
Number of Focus Points	n/a	9
Lens
Manual Focus
Lens Mount	fixed lens	fixed lens
Lens Focal Range	25-600 mm (24×)	25-500 mm (20×)
Max Aperture	F3.0-6.9	F3.2-5.8
Macro Focus Range	1cm	1cm
Screen
Type	Fixed type	Fixed type
Size	3"	3"
Resolution	460k dots	922k dots
Touch Screen
Viewfinder
Viewfinder	None	None
Photography Features
Max Mechanical Shutter	1/1700s	1/1600s
Shutter Priority
Aperture Priority
Manual Exposure Mode
Custom White Balance
Image Stabilization	Sensor-shift	Optical
Built-in Flash
Flash Range	4.00 m	7.10 m
External Flash
Continuous Shooting	2.0 fps	10.0 fps
Multi-Segment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF-Area
Center Weighted
AE Bracketing
WB Bracketing
Video Features
Max Video Resolution	1920 x 1080	1920 x 1080
Video Formats	MPEG-4	MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone Port
Headphone Port
Connectivity
Wireless Connectivity	Eye-Fi Connected	Eye-Fi Connected
HDMI
Physical
Environmental Sealing
Weight	226g	254g
Dimensions	106 x 69 x 40mm	107 x 62 x 35mm
Battery Life	220 shots	320 shots
Other Features
Timelapse Recording
GPS	None	Built-in
DxO Sensor Scores
	Report a correction	Report a correction