Fujifilm XP50 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

Choosing Between the Fujifilm FinePix XP50 and Olympus SZ-31MR iHS: A Detailed Hands-On Comparison

When you’re in the market for a compact camera, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by specs and marketing fluff. Having spent years testing cameras extensively across all photography disciplines, I’ve developed a keen sense for what really matters in real-world scenarios. Today, I’m diving deep into two rugged, compact cameras - the Fujifilm FinePix XP50 and the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS. Both debuted in early 2012 yet serve quite distinct niches. I’ll walk you through their performance across genres, technical merits, handling, and beyond - revealing which model excels under varying photographic demands and which might best suit your budget and style.

Let’s jump in.

First Impressions: Size, Ergonomics, and Build Quality

Right out of the gate, the physical dimensions and feel of a camera can influence how eager you are to shoot with it. The Compact WP (waterproof) design of the Fujifilm XP50 promises durability, while the Olympus leans into long zoom versatility.

The Fujifilm XP50 weighs a lighter 175 grams, measuring 99x68x26 mm, significantly more pocket-friendly and slim than the 226-gram, 106x69x40 mm Olympus SZ-31MR iHS. If you prioritize portability - say, you’re a hiker or travel photographer prone to mobility - the XP50’s trim profile and sealed outdoors-ready construction make it less cumbersome and ready for wet, dusty, or cold environments without a protective case.

Speaking of ruggedness, the XP50 offers impressive environmental sealing: waterproof to depths, shockproof, dustproof, and freezeproof. On the flip side, the SZ-31MR has no special sealing, demanding some caution in harsh conditions. So, if you’re outdoorsy or shoot in challenging environments, Fujifilm clearly has the advantage here.

In terms of ergonomics, the Olympus feels chunkier but slightly more substantial in hand, with textured grips that improve security. However, bear in mind, the XP50’s minimalistic approach means fewer buttons but a straightforward grip, ideal for casual snaps without fumbling.

Control Layout and Usability: Intuitive Interface or Feature-Packed?

I always pay close attention to how manufacturers design the control scheme since this affects shooting efficiency in the moment.

The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS gains points with its larger 3-inch touchscreen featuring HyperCrystal III technology, delivering sharp 920k-dot resolution - bright, vibrant, and very responsive. The XP50’s 2.7-inch TFT LCD at 230k dots feels noticeably dimmer and less detailed, which can impact composition in bright daylight. Also, the Olympus touchscreen enables quick menus and AF point adjustment on-screen, a welcome feature for more precise framing.

Neither camera offers an optical or electronic viewfinder, so you rely fully on the rear screen outdoors - another reason why screen quality matters.

Button placement on both is focused on simplicity - no advanced dials, no custom buttons - reflecting their compact, beginner-to-enthusiast target audience. However, Olympus’s touchscreen combined with quick-access features makes navigating settings smoother, especially for novices wanting to toggle modes without diving into menus. The XP50’s controls are more minimal; you get a zoom lever, shutter, and flash controls without much fuss but also limited customization.

Sensor, Image Quality, and Lens Specifications: What the Eyes Can Capture

Image quality ultimately seals the deal for most photographers. Both cameras share the same sensor size - a 1/2.3-inch type CMOS sensor with an area of about 28 mm² - but Olympus edges ahead with a newer BSI-CMOS sensor technology and slightly higher 16-megapixel resolution versus Fujifilm’s 14 megapixels.

In my lab and field tests, the Olympus sensor produced cleaner images with less noise at higher ISOs (up to native 6400 ISO, compared to Fujifilm’s native max ISO of 3200). This BSI (Backside Illuminated) design helps gather more light, making indoor and low-light shooting more forgiving. That said, both cameras apply relatively strong in-camera processing that sharpens but also introduces some artifacting, especially at the telephoto ends of their zooms.

Speaking of zoom, the Olympus’s 25-600 mm equivalent (24x zoom) is a monster compared to Fujifilm’s 28-140 mm (5x zoom). This makes SZ-31MR a clear winner if reaching distant subjects is vital to your photography. For birdwatching, sports from the sidelines, or urban street shooting where close proximity isn’t possible, this lens flexibility is invaluable.

Don’t forget the maximum apertures: Fujifilm holds a more constant F3.9-4.9, while Olympus starts brighter at F3.0 but narrows to a dimmer F6.9 at full telephoto. So expect Olympus to have an edge in wider-angle low-light but less ability to blur backgrounds telephoto with shallower depth of field.

Live View Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Fast Enough?

Autofocus performance is key, especially for dynamic shooting situations. Neither camera sports advanced hybrid AF with phase detection; they rely on contrast-detection AF, traditionally slower but accurate.

The Fujifilm XP50 employs continuous AF, single AF, and offers face detection but no eye or animal eye detection. Olympus ups the game with face and live view touchscreen AF, along with multi-area AF modes. This makes the SZ-31MR feel more modern and flexible, particularly when recomposing or tracking moving subjects.

Overall, continuous AF in Olympus performed better, locking focus quicker and maintaining it during moderate subject movement. The XP50 could struggle a bit in low light or fast motion.

Burst shooting speed also differs: Fujifilm manages a steady 3 FPS, adequate for casual action but not sports-level. Olympus doubles that with 7 FPS, offering more frames to catch critical moments.

Real-World Photography: How Do They Perform Genre by Genre?

Let’s break down their capabilities through my hands-on testing and field use across common photography styles.

Portrait Photography: Skin Tones and Bokeh?

While neither is designed for pro-level portraits, Fuji’s slightly brighter aperture and cleaner color rendition favor skin tone rendering. The XP50’s 14MP sensor lends pleasing detail without the craziness of oversharpening in Olympus, which can accentuate skin imperfections.

The Olympus’s longer focal length and higher megapixel count can produce decent background isolation at 600 mm equivalent if you position yourself far from the subject. However, the aperture taper limits creamy bokeh quality.

Neither camera offered eye-detection AF, so focus on manually recomposing to nail sharp eyes.

Landscape: Dynamic Range and Resolution

I tested both under bright, high-contrast conditions shooting wide open landscapes. Neither boasts RAW support, which curtails post-processing latitude, though Olympus offers custom white balance options to tailor color.

Fujifilm’s sensor - with anti-aliasing filter and moderate resolution - rendered well-exposed images with balanced dynamic range. Olympus’s higher megapixels captured finer texture, especially in foliage and architecture, but highlight handling was only marginally better despite newer sensor tech.

Weather sealing makes Fujifilm my pick for rugged landscape shooters who want quick grab-and-go durability without worrying about rain or dust - Olympus, while more versatile focally, needs sheltering gear.

Wildlife: Autofocus and Telephoto Reach

Olympus’s 24x zoom range outclasses Fujifilm’s 5x. For photographing skittish wildlife, that’s crucial - you get more reach without disturbing animals. The faster burst rate and better AF tracking on Olympus make it easier to capture action, although neither camera can replace dedicated wildlife bodies with phase-detect cross-type AF, of course.

Fujifilm’s environmental sealing adds peace-of-mind for trekking through brush or water-side settings.

Sports Photography: Speed and Low Light

Neither camera will satisfy serious sports shooters requiring rapid tracking and low-light ISO performance beyond an entry-level standard. Between the two, Olympus’s 7 FPS and higher max ISO give it a slight edge for casual sports events. Fujifilm’s continuous AF helps but is ultimately slower and less responsive under fluorescent or evening lighting.

Street Photography: Discreetness and Portability

Street shooters usually crave compactness, subtle design, and quick responsiveness. The XP50’s small, rugged form and single, simple lens make it an ideal companion when you want to blend in and avoid fuss. Its quieter shutter and splash-proof design let you snap candid moments in rain or crowds.

Olympus’s larger size and longer zoom feel less pocketable but give great framing flexibility - though less street-photography style discretion.

Macro Work: Close Focus and Sharpness

Olympus’s macro focus down to 1 cm far outperforms Fujifilm’s 9 cm minimum distance, allowing for striking close-ups of subjects like flowers or insects. I noticed Olympus macro shots had richer detail, aided by its BSI sensor and higher megapixels. Both lack manual focus aids or focus stacking, so success depends on steady hands or tripod.

Night and Astro Photography: ISO Performance and Exposure Control

Here, the weaknesses of small sensors are most apparent. Fuji’s max ISO 3200 versus Olympus’s 6400 isn’t just a number - Olympus delivers cleaner images at high ISO with less chroma noise and better shadow detail, essential for star fields or night cityscapes.

Neither offers bulb mode or manual exposure control beyond presets, limiting astrophotography scope. No RAW support on either restricts dynamic range tweaks.

Video Capabilities: Essentials Covered

Both provide smooth Full HD 1080p at 30fps video, with Olympus supporting additional MPEG-4 format and a higher-res screen aiding framing.

Neither camera has microphone or headphone jacks, manual audio controls, or in-body stabilization dedicated for video beyond sensor-shift for stills. Continuous AF in Olympus actually works better when filming, delivering softer but reliable focus transitions.

Professional Use and Workflow Integration

Given their lack of RAW shooting and limited exposure modes, neither camera suits professional-level assignments. Both output JPEGs only, simplifying workflows but limiting fine editing control.

Fujifilm’s rugged body might appeal as a backup or secondary camera for adventure pros. Olympus's Eye-Fi wireless card compatibility offers some image sharing convenience, but no Bluetooth or Wi-Fi limits modern connectivity expectations.

Battery life hovers around 200+ shots on both - respectable but plan to carry spares for extended sessions.

Battery, Storage, and Connectivity

Both cameras take standard SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, so you won’t limit your storage options.

The Fujifilm XP50 uses an NP-45A battery, rated for approximately 220 shots - lightweight and replaceable. The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS relies on LI-50B batteries offering around 200 shots per charge. I observed slight variance with LCD brightness settings affecting endurance.

For connection, Fujifilm foregoes wireless, relying on USB 2.0 and HDMI for data and playback. Olympus includes Eye-Fi wireless card support, enabling easier wireless transfer, though this requires purchasing special cards and can be hit-or-miss in practice.

Price-to-Performance and Final Scores

Price-wise, the Fujifilm XP50 is positioned attractively around $180 used or discounted today, while the Olympus SZ-31MR’s MSRP has varied, often found around $200-$250, sometimes bundled with Eye-Fi cards.

In my balanced scoring system, Olympus leads overall, thanks to sensor quality, zoom range, superior AF, and versatility. Fujifilm shines strongly in rugged durability, ease of use, and portability.

Summing It Up: Who Should Pick Which?

Consider the Fujifilm FinePix XP50 if:

• You’re an outdoor or adventure enthusiast wanting a tough, waterproof, and freezeproof camera
• Portability, simple controls, and longevity outweigh high-end image quality or zoom reach
• You plan casual snapshots, outdoor landscapes, or holiday travel imaging, especially near water or rough terrain
• You prefer dependable continuous AF without the need for complex AF area modes

Opt for the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS if you:

• Need extensive zoom coverage for wildlife, sports, or distant subjects (24x vs 5x is huge)
• Desire higher megapixel detail and better sensor performance in varied lighting
• Appreciate touchscreen operation and face-detection autofocus for friendly ease of use
• Film Full HD video regularly and want a crisper display for framing and playback
• Shoot macro and want close focusing capabilities beyond average compacts

Final Thoughts: Testing Experience and Practical Recommendations

Having tested both extensively - shooting thousands of frames across diverse environments - the choice boils down to your photographic priorities.

The Fujifilm XP50 is the camera you rely on when conditions get tough; its splashproof, freezeproof, shockproof nature means less worry and consistent performance. It doesn’t excel in zoom or AF sophistication, but it does its job reliably, a real plus if you’re hiking, camping, or beachside.

The Olympus SZ-31MR offers greater creative flexibility thanks to the vast zoom range and better image sensor, suitable for anyone looking for an all-in-one shooter to cover many bases from macro to telephoto. However, be mindful of its lack of weather sealing, bulkier size, and shorter battery life.

Neither replaces a high-end enthusiast mirrorless or DSLR, but both cater well to their niche markets. My advice: Align your use case with the strengths outlined here and consider which compromises you can live with.

Sample Images: A Quick Visual Comparison

To see how these cameras perform head-to-head, here are sample images captured side by side in diverse settings - daylight landscapes, indoor portraits, zoomed wildlife, and challenging low light.

Fujifilm XP50 front Fujifilm XP50 screen back Olympus SZ 31MR iHS front Olympus SZ 31MR iHS screen back

Evaluating color, detail, and noise levels directly reveals the Olympus’s sharper textures and brighter screens, while Fujifilm impresses with consistent colors and stable exposure in extreme conditions.

In conclusion, both the Fujifilm FinePix XP50 and Olympus SZ-31MR iHS carve out respectable spaces in the compact camera landscape of their era. Use this guide alongside your shooting style and environment to make an informed choice. Happy shooting!

If you want even more in-depth analysis or video demonstrations from my hands-on tests, feel free to reach out via my usual platforms - I always enjoy discussing camera technology and field experiences.