• 1/2.35 inch 27.3mm2
  • 8.0 megapixels
  • 36.00mm - 180.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 840.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus 840 advantages over Canon SX30 IS

  • Less expensive
    $250 vs $430 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.86 vs 1.43 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Thinner
    24 mm vs 107 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    130g vs 615g
    Lighter weight

Canon SX30 IS advantages over Olympus 840

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.7 vs f/3.3
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • More telephoto lens reach
    840 mm vs 180 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    14.1 vs 8.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 36 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    1.3 fps vs 1.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/3200 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSC-W150

Olympus 840
Sony DSC-W150
  • $173
  • 1/2.35 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $163
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Manual focus

Compare Olympus 840 vs Sony DSC-W150

Canon SX30 IS
Sony DSC-W150
  • $440
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $163
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SX30 IS vs Sony DSC-W150

Compared to Pentax V20

Olympus 840
Pentax V20
  • $173
  • 1/2.35 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $203
  • 1/2.35 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Olympus 840 vs Pentax V20

Canon SX30 IS
Pentax V20
  • $440
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $203
  • 1/2.35 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SX30 IS vs Pentax V20

Compared to Olympus FE-370

Olympus 840
Olympus FE-370
  • $173
  • 1/2.35 inch
  • $136
  • 1/2.35 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Higher extended ISO

Compare Olympus 840 vs Olympus FE-370

Canon SX30 IS
Olympus FE-370
  • $440
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $136
  • 1/2.35 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SX30 IS vs Olympus FE-370

Compared to Sony HX100V

Olympus 840
Sony HX100V
  • $173
  • 1/2.35 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $312
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Olympus 840 vs Sony HX100V

Canon SX30 IS
Sony HX100V
  • $440
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Hot shoe
  • Wider angle lens
  • $312
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Integrated ND filter

Compare Canon SX30 IS vs Sony HX100V

Compared to Canon SX40 HS

Olympus 840
Canon SX40 HS
  • $173
  • 1/2.35 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $342
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Olympus 840 vs Canon SX40 HS

Canon SX30 IS
Canon SX40 HS
  • $440
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $342
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Shoots 1080p video

Compare Canon SX30 IS vs Canon SX40 HS

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