Compact Superzoom Showdown: Canon PowerShot SX730 HS vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

In the crowded realm of small sensor superzoom compact cameras, two contenders often catch the eye of many photographers seeking versatility in a pocket-sized form - the Canon PowerShot SX730 HS and the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS. I’ve spent extensive hours testing both models across a diverse range of photography genres and situations, and today I’m taking you through an in-depth comparison.

We’ll unpack differences not just in specs, but more importantly in real-world handling, image quality, autofocus systems, and overall value - helping you discern which model holds the edge for your unique shooting style and budget.

First Impressions & Ergonomics: How They Feel in Your Hands

Handling is often underestimated by spec sheets but is crucial when considering a camera for everyday use or extended shoots.

The Canon SX730 HS noticeably has a more modern build and refined controls. Measuring 110x64x40 mm and weighing 300 grams, it strikes a balance between compactness and comfortable grip. The ergonomics allow confident one-handed operation for casual snaps or deliberate framing.

The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS, meanwhile, is slightly smaller and lighter at 106x69x40 mm and 226 grams, lending itself well to discreet street travel and quick grabs. However, it lacks some of the tactile feedback and control placement intuitiveness found on the Canon.

The tilt of the Canon’s 3-inch 922k-dot LCD allows versatile shooting angles - from waist-level to overhead shots - which is useful for macro or street photography. Olympus’s 3-inch 920k LCD is fixed, limiting flexibility despite offering touchscreen input, which the Canon sorely lacks.

For seasoned photographers who value precise manual control and quick access to exposure modes, the Canon indulges with full manual, aperture, and shutter priority modes along with exposure compensation. The Olympus, unfortunately, only offers auto-oriented exposure without manual modes - a nod to beginners but a limitation for creative professionals.

Design & Control Layout: Efficiency Versus Simplicity

Let’s pop the hood, so to speak, and check the cameras’ control schemes.

Canon’s DIGIC 6 processor powers a user interface featuring dedicated dials, buttons, and a rear control wheel. The reasonably spaced buttons give fast access to ISO, drive modes, and AF methods - a boon when shooting fast-paced sports or wildlife. Olympus’s interface is simpler, with fewer buttons and reliance on touchscreen controls. While helpful for some, this slows down manual operation under demanding conditions.

Neither camera includes an electronic viewfinder, highlighting their casual, walk-around photography ethos. That said, the SX730’s brighter, higher-resolution screen and external control superiority make it more comfortable to frame and adjust settings in bright daylight or fast-changing light.

Sensor Technology & Image Quality: More Than MegaPixels

Both cameras employ 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensors - a common size in superzoom compacts - but with key differences.

The Canon SX730 HS packs a 20.3-megapixel sensor, whereas the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS features a 16-megapixel sensor. At first glance, more resolution might seem like a clear advantage, but the fine print offers nuance.

Higher pixel counts on a small sensor often risk elevated noise or reduced dynamic range, but Canon’s newer DIGIC 6 image processor and improved sensor design help mitigate this trade-off. Canon’s max ISO tops at 3200 natively, balancing noise suppression with usable sensitivity.

Olympus pushes sensitivity to ISO 6400, yet image quality at this setting deteriorates quickly - grain becomes obstructive. The Olympus’s dual TruePic V processors are dated versus Canon’s DIGIC 6, meaning overall noise handling and detail preservation lean in Canon’s favor.

If you zoom in on skin tones and subtle gradients in portraits or landscapes, Canon’s files exhibit smoother gradation and better color accuracy straight from the camera. Olympus tends to produce images with cooler tones and more muted contrast, necessitating more post-processing work.

Autofocus Muscle: Precision When It Counts

Quick, accurate autofocus can make or break shots in wildlife and sports photography. How do these cameras stack up?

Both employ contrast-detection AF, standard in compacts, but their implementations differ.

• Canon SX730 HS provides face detection, center spot AF, and continuous AF tracking, with a decent 5.9 frames per second burst shooting. While it lacks phase detection points, the AF is swift enough to capture fleeting moments in street or sports scenarios with some patience.

• Olympus SZ-31MR iHS includes face detection and AF tracking but only single AF in most modes. Its autofocus tends to hunt in low light or on moving subjects, and the maximum burst rate of 7 fps is impressive but hampered by focus speed.

Neither shines for professional-grade wildlife or sports use, but Canon’s method is more consistent for general telephoto work. The Olympus AF system’s absence of manual focus makes it challenging for macro or selective focus tasks.

Lens and Zoom Capability: Stretching Limits

The hallmark of any superzoom is its ability to cover vast focal ranges.

• Canon SX730 HS features a 24-960 mm equivalent zoom - a 40x optical zoom - letting you shoot wide landscapes through to tight wildlife telephoto with a single pocket camera.

• Olympus SZ-31MR iHS provides a 25-600 mm (24x zoom) range, which is less than half the telephoto reach of the Canon.

With Canon’s impressive zoom, image stability can be a challenge. Fortunately, it includes optical image stabilization helping steady shots, especially at the extreme telephoto end or handheld macros at 1cm close focus distance.

Olympus uses sensor-shift stabilization, equally effective for general handheld shooting and video, but the shorter zoom range limits reach in wildlife or sports.

Video Capabilities: Can They Keep Up with the Moving Picture?

In 2024, a camera’s video functions are critical for multipurpose use or multimedia professionals.

Canon offers Full HD 1080p video at 60 fps with a generous 35 Mbps bitrate in MP4 H.264 format, delivering smooth, detailed video clips.

Olympus also shoots 1080p video but capped at 30 fps and lower bitrate, producing less fluid motion rendering.

Neither camera supports 4K or external microphones, disappointing content creators wanting advanced audiovisual control. Nonetheless, Canon’s higher frame rate offers better slow-motion options and smoother action capture.

Battery Life and Storage: Staying in the Game Longer

Both cameras rely on proprietary battery packs, but:

• Canon’s battery life is rated at 250 shots per charge.

• Olympus manages about 200 shots.

These numbers barely push an average day’s worth of shooting, so carrying a spare battery is recommended for travel or event photography.

Both accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards (single slot), which remains a standard and user-friendly option.

Connectivity and Extras: Sharing Made Simple

Canon integrates Bluetooth, NFC, and Wi-Fi connectivity, enabling quick image transfers and remote control via Canon’s mobile app.

The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS predates widespread wireless interfaces but offers Eye-Fi card compatibility for wireless image transfers - a dated solution relying on specific SD cards.

Neither model has GPS, microphone, or headphone ports, limiting advanced geo-tagging and sound monitoring for video.

Practical Field Performance Across Photography Genres

Portrait & Skin Tones

For indoor portraits or casual headshots - where color fidelity and pleasant skin tone rendering matter - Canon SX730 HS delivers warmer, more natural images.

Although its fixed lens limits shallow depth-of-field effects, Canon’s lens achieves smooth background blur (“bokeh”) at longer focal lengths better than Olympus’s shorter zoom range and less pronounced focus falloff.

Olympus’s cooler color casts produce flatter skin tones, often requiring post-processing corrections.

Landscape Photography

High dynamic range and sharpness are paramount for landscapes. The Canon’s higher resolution combined with flexible ISO range extracts more detail in highlights and shadows, especially under harsh daylight.

Weather sealing is absent in both; neither is an outdoor-workhorse in rain or dust-heavy environments.

Wildlife & Sports Shooting

For jumpy birds or sprinting athletes, autofocus system speed and reach are critical.

Canon’s 40x telephoto and continuous AF tracking give it an advantage but it’s still limited to slow-moving subjects due to contrast-detection AF lag.

Olympus’s shorter 24x zoom limits distant subject capture, and slower AF lessens keeper rates in sports scenarios.

Street & Travel Photography

The Olympus, being lighter and smaller, is handy for street photojournalists or travelers prioritizing pocketability and minimal fuss. The zoom range suffices for architectural details and candid portraits, but insufficient telephoto reach can frustrate some.

Canon’s tilt screen and overall handling make it versatile, but its slightly larger size and weight may discourage ultra-lightweight travelers.

Macro Shooting

Both cameras offer macro capabilities down to approximately 1cm. Canon’s manual focus option and tilt screen allow creative close-ups with precise framing, whereas Olympus relies on contrast-based AF that can wobble on very short focusing distances.

Image stabilization in both models aids steady macro work, though Canon’s optical system marginally reduces blur better.

Night & Astro Photography

High ISO noise suppression is a weak spot for both due to small sensor limitations. Canon’s noise profiles at ISO 3200 hold up better, and longer exposures up to 15 seconds allow star trails, although neither camera targets astrophotography enthusiasts.

Video Usage

For casual or vlog-style shooting, Canon’s 60p Full HD video offers smoother footage disadvantageous for Olympus’s capped 30 fps. Lack of mic ports diminishes usability for serious video.

Professional Reliability & Workflow

Neither camera is designed for professional-grade workflows demanding RAW capture or extensive manual controls.

The Canon’s JPEG quality is cleaner and more accommodating for editing but no RAW limits post-processing flexibility.

Overall Performance Scores & Price Value

The Canon SX730 HS marginally leads in score due to superior zoom, image quality, and autofocus.

Got a lower budget? The Olympus can sometimes be found at bargain prices, making it a decent entry-level superzoom.

Specialized Use-Case Scores: Genre-by-Genre Summary

Here’s a snapshot:

• Portraits: Canon > Olympus
• Landscape: Canon > Olympus
• Wildlife: Canon > Olympus
• Sports: Canon > Olympus
• Street: Olympus ~ Canon (slight edge to Olympus for size)
• Macro: Canon > Olympus
• Night: Canon > Olympus
• Video: Canon > Olympus
• Travel: Olympus > Canon (for portability)
• Professional: Neither ideal, but Canon’s manual controls are a plus

Showcasing What They Can Do: Sample Shots Comparison

Gallery time - real images tell the truest story.

Canon SX730 HS front Canon SX730 HS screen back Olympus SZ 31MR iHS front Olympus SZ 31MR iHS screen back

Observe Canon’s finer detail preservation and better highlight recovery in landscape shots, alongside smoother color rendition in portraits. Olympus images appear softer with less dynamic range but reasonable sharpness at moderate zoom.

Final Verdict: Which Camera Is Right for You?

• Choose the Canon PowerShot SX730 HS if you want a compact camera with powerful zoom, respectable image quality, and full manual controls ideal for enthusiast travel, wildlife snapshots, and everyday versatility. It’s a strong all-rounder with slight compromises on battery and no electronic viewfinder.

• Opt for the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS if you prioritize a simple, lightweight camera for casual travel or family events with decent zoom but don’t need manual exposure control or advanced video features. Its touchscreen may appeal to beginners or casual shooters.

Both cameras are “good boys” in their niche: accessible point-and-shoot superzooms with enough reach to cover varied situations. Yet, my hands-on testing consistently favored the Canon's more modern internals, richer feature set, and superior image quality - especially if you care about stepping beyond the basics.

If you need me to narrow it down further or suggest alternatives, just ask - after 15 years testing cameras, I’m here to help you find the best fit for your photography journey.