Sony QX30 vs Olympus PEN-F

Cameras
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Sony QX30 vs Olympus PEN-F

1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
20.4 megapixels
24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sony QX30 Review.

4/3 226.2mm²
20.3 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Olympus PEN-F Review.
How does it shoot? Olympus PEN-F in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the PEN-F.
Compare Olympus PEN-F image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Olympus PEN-F conclusion.

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Differences

Sony QX30 advantages over Olympus PEN-F

Lighter weight
193g vs 434g
Lighter weight

Olympus PEN-F advantages over Sony QX30

Rear display
Yes vs No
Review photos on the back of the camera
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Larger sensor
4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Bigger pixels
~ 3.36 vs 1.19 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
RAW file ability
Yes vs No
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

330 vs 200 shots
Capture more photos
Manual focus
Yes vs No
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
Thinner
37 mm vs 57 mm
Thinner
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Bigger JPEG buffer
43 vs 10 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/1600 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 12800 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
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly

Common Weaknesses

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
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
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
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Adorama
Read QX30 User Reviews

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Adorama
Read PEN-F User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

We haven’t reviewed the Sony QX30.
Read our Sony QX30 Preview

Highest resolution Olympus 4/3" camera yet; Excellent image quality for its class; Very good dynamic range; Fast autofocus; Fast burst speeds; Lots of fun creative filter options; Built-in EVF, Wi-Fi.
Expensive; No weather sealing; Mediocre battery life; No 4K video; No mic or headphone jacks.
Read our Olympus PEN-F Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony HX30V

Sony QX30

Sony HX30V

$700
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
More telephoto lens reach

$477
1/2.3 inch

Rear display
In-camera panoramas

Compare Sony QX30 vs Sony HX30V

Olympus PEN-F

Sony HX30V

$999
4/3

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$477
1/2.3 inch

Built-in GPS
Internal flash

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Sony HX30V

Compared to Nikon S9500

Sony QX30

Nikon S9500

$700
1/2.3 inch

More telephoto lens reach
Longer exposure

$470
1/2.3 inch

Rear display
In-camera panoramas

Compare Sony QX30 vs Nikon S9500

Olympus PEN-F

Nikon S9500

$999
4/3

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$470
1/2.3 inch

Slower slow-motion
Built-in GPS

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Nikon S9500

Compared to Panasonic ZS40

Sony QX30

Panasonic ZS40

$700
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Bigger JPEG buffer

$380
1/2.3 inch

Rear display
Focus peaking

Compare Sony QX30 vs Panasonic ZS40

Olympus PEN-F

Panasonic ZS40

$999
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

$380
1/2.3 inch

Slower slow-motion
Built-in GPS

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic ZS40

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Sony QX30

Panasonic GX85

$700
1/2.3 inch

More pixels

$598
4/3

Rear display
Focus peaking

Compare Sony QX30 vs Panasonic GX85

Olympus PEN-F

Panasonic GX85

$999
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
High resolution composite

$598
4/3

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic GX85

Compared to Olympus E-PL8

Sony QX30

Olympus E-PL8

$700
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
More pixels

$599
4/3

Rear display
Focus peaking

Compare Sony QX30 vs Olympus E-PL8

Olympus PEN-F

Olympus E-PL8

$999
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

$599
4/3

Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Olympus E-PL8

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