• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 750.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Olympus SZ-30MR advantages over Nikon S9700

  • Larger lens aperture
    f/3.0 vs f/3.7
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject

Nikon S9700 advantages over Olympus SZ-30MR

  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • More telephoto lens reach
    750 mm vs 600 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • More dots on screen
    921k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    8 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • 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
    6400 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
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Manual focus
    Neither provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • 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

Buy From

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.

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
Nikon S9700
Olympus SZ-10
  • $590
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $224
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture

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
Nikon S9700
Olympus SZ-31MR
  • $590
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture

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
Nikon S9700
Olympus SZ-15
  • $590
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture

Compared to Sony WX500

Olympus SZ-30MR
Sony WX500
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
Nikon S9700
Sony WX500
  • $590
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Slow-motion videos
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Sony HX90V

Olympus SZ-30MR
Sony HX90V
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Nikon S9700
Sony HX90V
  • $590
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
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