• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.4 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 80.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus SZ-30MR advantages over Samsung EX2F

  • Less expensive
    $400 vs $500 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • More telephoto lens reach
    600 mm vs 80 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Lighter weight
    228g vs 318g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.4 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

Samsung EX2F advantages over Olympus SZ-30MR

  • Larger sensor
    1/1.7 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.90 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/1.4 vs f/3.0
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Thinner
    28 mm vs 39 mm
    Thinner
  • More dots on screen
    614k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.1 fps vs 7.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    9 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/1700 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 3200 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
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • 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

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent grip; Handsome, portable design; 24x zoom in a small package; Panorama mode.

  • Detail blurred by strong noise suppression; Bright colors bloom in bright light; Few manual controls; Too many trips to the menu.

  • Good (modern, not retro!) looks and solid build; f/1.4 Schneider-Kreuznach lens starting at a wide 24mm equivalent with excellent low-light capabilities; Advanced photographic controls and RAW capture; 3-inch, articulated AMOLED monitor.

  • Limited telephoto reach; Inconsistent and disappointing JPEG images; Some corner blurring at both wide and tele; Noise suppression too strong at ISO 800 and above, robbing detail.

The Competition

Compared to Olympus SZ-10

Olympus SZ-30MR
Olympus SZ-10
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $224
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bulb shutter
Samsung EX2F
Olympus SZ-10
  • $479
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $224
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Olympus SZ-31MR

Olympus SZ-30MR
Olympus SZ-31MR
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Shoots 60p video
Samsung EX2F
Olympus SZ-31MR
  • $479
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Panasonic LX7

Olympus SZ-30MR
Panasonic LX7
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $297
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Samsung EX2F
Panasonic LX7
  • $479
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $297
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More dots on screen

Compared to Olympus SZ-15

Olympus SZ-30MR
Olympus SZ-15
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • Longer exposure
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
Samsung EX2F
Olympus SZ-15
  • $479
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Panasonic LX10

Olympus SZ-30MR
Panasonic LX10
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Fast startup
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $548
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Samsung EX2F
Panasonic LX10
  • $479
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Fast startup
  • $548
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
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