• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 35.00mm - 210.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon G9 advantages over Olympus SZ-30MR

  • Larger sensor
    1/1.7 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.90 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • 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
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/2500 vs 1/1700 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Olympus SZ-30MR advantages over Canon G9

  • Less expensive
    $400 vs $500 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • More telephoto lens reach
    600 mm vs 210 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Lighter weight
    228g vs 364g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    25 mm vs 35 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.0 fps vs 1.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • 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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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon G9

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus SZ-30MR

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.

  • Read our Olympus SZ-30MR Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus SZ-10

Canon G9
Olympus SZ-10
  • $500
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $224
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon G9 vs 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

Compare Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus SZ-10

Compared to Olympus SZ-31MR

Canon G9
Olympus SZ-31MR
  • $500
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon G9 vs 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

Compare Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus SZ-31MR

Compared to Olympus SZ-16

Canon G9
Olympus SZ-16
  • $500
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon G9 vs Olympus SZ-16

Olympus SZ-30MR
Olympus SZ-16
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slow-motion videos

Compare Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus SZ-16

Compared to Olympus SZ-15

Canon G9
Olympus SZ-15
  • $500
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon G9 vs 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

Compare Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus SZ-15

Compared to Olympus SH-50

Canon G9
Olympus SH-50
  • $500
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon G9 vs Olympus SH-50

Olympus SZ-30MR
Olympus SH-50
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compare Olympus SZ-30MR vs Olympus SH-50

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