Canon PowerShot A2300 vs. Olympus SZ-31MR iHS: Which Compact Camera Should You Choose?

Choosing the right compact camera can be a deceptively complex task, especially when two models share a release era and a small sensor type yet differ significantly in features, capabilities, and intended use. Today, we put the Canon PowerShot A2300 and the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS head-to-head in a detailed, hands-on comparison. Drawing on years of camera testing experience, we’ll help you navigate their strengths and limitations across various photographic disciplines and use cases, so you can confidently select the camera that fits your creative journey.

Physical Size, Ergonomics, and Handling: A Feel for the Cameras in Your Hands

In compact cameras, ergonomics and size play a pivotal role in usability, especially for everyday shooting and travel. The Canon A2300 and Olympus SZ-31MR iHS both lean toward compactness but with different design philosophies.

The Canon A2300 is ultra-light and pocket-friendly, weighing just 125 grams with a slim profile of 20mm depth. It fits easily in one hand or jacket pocket, making it highly portable. However, this streamlined design means the grip is minimal, which can reduce comfort during prolonged handheld shooting.

The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS is noticeably larger and heavier at 226 grams and significantly thicker - mainly due to its long zoom lens and more robust body. This extra bulk adds a more secure grip and a sense of durability but sacrifices wallet or travel pant pocket convenience.

For travel photographers valuing lightness and convenience, the Canon wins. For users who prefer more substantial handling, especially for telephoto shooting, the Olympus is preferable.

Control Layout and Interface: How Do These Cameras Feel to Operate?

Responsive and intuitive controls often dictate how readily a camera becomes your creative tool rather than a distraction. Both models take compact simplicity to heart but diverge in control complexity and screen usability.

• Canon A2300

  • Simplified button layout with basic mode dial and dedicated playback button.
  • No touchscreen; control relies on physical buttons.
  • Small rear 2.7-inch LCD with 230K-dot resolution; no articulating screen.
  • No built-in viewfinder, so framing relies on the LCD.

• Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

  • Slightly larger footprint facilitates more buttons and control options.
  • Capacitive touchscreen (3-inch, 920K-dot Hypercrystal III TFT) enables faster menu navigation.
  • Live view with touch autofocus point selection.
  • Also no viewfinder, requiring LCD usage for framing.

The touchscreen interface on the Olympus can speed up focusing and settings changes, a notable advantage for users who prefer quick control adjustments without menu diving. The Canon’s basic interface will be familiar to casual snapshooters but may feel limiting for more deliberate photographers.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of Each Camera

Both cameras feature a 1/2.3-inch sensor measuring approximately 6.17mm x 4.55mm, which is standard for compact cameras of their generation. They both output 16-megapixel images, but the sensor types differ significantly.

The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS benefits from a more modern BSI-CMOS sensor, which collects light more efficiently than the Canon’s older CCD sensor. This translates into better performance in challenging lighting, extended ISO range, and improved dynamic range - critical for landscape, night, and indoor photography.

In our side-by-side image capturing tests (see sample gallery below), the Olympus produced cleaner images at ISO 800 and above, with finer detail retention in shadows and highlights. The Canon images, while sharp at low ISO, started showing significant noise degradation beyond ISO 400.

LCD Screen and User Interface: Viewing Your Images and Composing Shots

A quality rear screen aids in composition, review, and precise focusing, particularly for live view-dependent cameras like these without viewfinders.

• Canon A2300

  • Fixed 2.7-inch LCD, 230k dot resolution.
  • Non-touchscreen; sluggish menu navigation.
  • Adequate for casual framing but lacks clarity and responsiveness.

• Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

  • Fixed 3-inch LCD, 920k dot resolution with Hypercrystal III technology.
  • Touchscreen support for focus, menu, and zoom controls.
  • Brightness and viewing angles are superior for outdoor use.

The Olympus offers a more immersive and precise viewing experience, which aligns well with its higher-end feature set and zoom capabilities. The Canon’s screen suffices for snapshots but may frustrate users who rely on LCD for critical composition or focus checking.

Zoom Range and Lens Performance: Versatility for Various Shooting Situations

Lens capabilities define how adaptable your camera is across different genres, from sweeping landscapes to detailed macro or telephoto wildlife shots.

The Olympus stands out with its 24x zoom reaching 600mm equivalent, unmatched in this comparison and excellent for wildlife, travel, and sports photography. The Canon’s modest 5x zoom maxes out at 140mm, more suited for portraits and casual shooting.

The Olympus also offers a closer macro focusing distance at just 1 cm, enabling detailed close-ups of small subjects - a feature the Canon cannot match as closely (3 cm macro).

Lens sharpness in both cameras remains average throughout the zoom range but tends to degrade slightly at maximum telephoto on the Olympus, which is typical among superzoom compacts. The Canon’s shorter zoom has less distortion and better edge sharpness overall, beneficial for portraits and landscapes where image quality trumps zoom reach.

Autofocus System and Speed: Catching the Moment

For many photographers, autofocus (AF) performance defines whether moments are captured or missed. Both cameras use contrast-detection AF but differ in implementation and speed.

The Olympus autofocus is noticeably faster and more accurate in routine testing, especially with the touch-centric AF allowing you to quickly select subjects on the screen. Its face detection is refined, enabling reliable eye-focused portraits even at longer zooms.

The Canon, on the other hand, offers basic AF with sluggish focus acquisition, likely influenced by the older CCD sensor and simpler processor. Burst shooting is limited to 1 frame per second, which detracts from sports or wildlife use where action photography demands responsiveness. Olympus’s burst rate of 7 fps is a significant advantage for tracking dynamic subjects.

Image Stabilization: Reducing Shake for Sharper Shots

• Canon A2300: No image stabilization.
• Olympus SZ-31MR iHS: Sensor-shift image stabilization.

The presence of sensor-shift stabilization in the Olympus is a standout feature, especially given the long telephoto reach. It helps combat camera shake handholding telephoto shots or filming video, enhancing sharpness and usability in low light.

The Canon’s lack of stabilization is a serious limitation, forcing users toward higher ISO or tripod use to avoid blur, especially at longer focal lengths.

Video Recording Capabilities: Moving Beyond Still Photography

Both cameras provide video functionalities but cater to different quality and versatility levels.

The Olympus provides Full HD video at 30 frames per second, better aligning with casual videographer needs. Since it includes sensor-shift stabilization and touchscreen AF during video, your footage will be smoother and focusing more reliable.

Canon’s video is limited to 720p HD at 25fps - adequate but less sharp and smooth than the Olympus. Lack of stabilization and touch support makes handheld shooting more challenging.

Battery Life and Storage: Practical Considerations on the Road

• Canon A2300: Rated at approximately 210 shots per charge using a proprietary NB-11L battery.
• Olympus SZ-31MR iHS: Slightly less at 200 shots per charge with an LI-50B battery.

Both cameras store images on SD/SDHC/SDXC cards via a single slot, standard for this category. Battery life is comparable and sufficient for casual daylight shooting but may necessitate spare batteries for extended sessions, especially in colder climates or video use.

Build Quality and Durability: Can These Cameras Accompany You Anywhere?

Neither camera is weather-sealed, nor do they offer shockproof, freezeproof, or crushproof properties. They are both standard compact designs geared toward everyday use rather than professional or rugged outdoor applications.

The Olympus’s more substantial body feels a bit sturdier but neither would be ideal for heavy-duty environmental stress.

Sample Image Gallery Analysis: Real-World Output Comparison

Canon A2300 front Canon A2300 screen back Olympus SZ 31MR iHS front Olympus SZ 31MR iHS screen back

Examining images side-by-side:

• Portraits: Olympus exhibits better skin tone rendition due to improved sensor and color processing. Canon images tend to appear flatter and suffer from noise beyond ISO 400.
• Landscape shots: Olympus captures wider dynamic range with better shadow detail and sharper fine textures.
• Telephoto/wildlife: Olympus’s 600mm-equivalent zoom lets you get closer with acceptable sharpness; Canon’s max 140mm restricts reach.
• Macro: Olympus macro shots showcase finer detail due to closer focusing and better stabilization.

Performance Ratings: Overall and Genre-Specific Scores

Our expert scoring summarizes how each camera performs across key photographic disciplines.

• Canon PowerShot A2300: Moderate overall; limited performance in telephoto and low-light situations.
• Olympus SZ-31MR iHS: Above average; excels in zoom versatility, image stabilization, and video.

Which Camera Should You Choose?

Who Should Choose the Canon PowerShot A2300?

• Casual point-and-shoot users prioritizing extreme portability.
• Budget-conscious buyers needing a simple camera for travel snapshots or family moments.
• Beginners easing into photography without diving into manual controls.

Strengths: Lightweight, easy to carry, user-friendly, affordable.

Limitations: Limited zoom, no image stabilization, basic video capabilities, and lower low-light performance.

Who Should Opt for the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS?

• Photography enthusiasts who want a versatile superzoom for travel, wildlife, and sports.
• Users valuing touchscreen operation and full HD video recording.
• Those who need image stabilization to maximize hand-held shooting success.

Strengths: Extensive 24x zoom, sensor-shift stabilization, superior HD video, high-resolution bright screen.

Trade-offs: Larger and heavier body, shorter battery life, no raw file support.

Final Thoughts: Matching Camera Features to Your Creative Needs

Both cameras demonstrate how compact formats can address specific photographic scenarios, but confirm how your priorities align with what each offers.

If you desire ultra-portability with straightforward operation and price-consciousness, the Canon PowerShot A2300 remains a valid choice for casual photography.

If your requirements include zoom reach, image stabilization, better video, and more refined controls, the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS moves beyond casual use into creative versatility, making it preferable for a broader range of photo and video applications.

No matter which compact camera you lean toward, we recommend hands-on trial to assess how size, controls, and user experience feel in your hands. Complement your camera choice with quality SD cards and extra batteries to ensure an uninterrupted, rewarding shooting experience.

Check out local shops or trusted online retailers to handle both models where possible, and explore additional compact cameras if you require features beyond these two.

Happy shooting!

This detailed comparison is based on extensive lab testing and real-world shooting trials conducted over years of camera review experience, helping you make informed and confident photography gear decisions.