Fujifilm X-S1 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS: An In-Depth Comparison for the Superzoom Enthusiast

Choosing the right superzoom camera can feel like navigating a jungle of specs and marketing jargon. With their hefty zoom capabilities and compact form, these cameras target a unique niche: photographers who want versatility without lugging multiple lenses or bulky gear. Today, I’m diving into two rivals in the small sensor superzoom category: the Fujifilm X-S1, introduced in late 2011, and the slightly younger Olympus SZ-31MR iHS from early 2012. These cameras may look similar at a glance but deliver quite different experiences when you peel back the layers.

Based on extensive hands-on testing and years of reviewing compact and bridge cameras, I’ll dissect how these two contenders stack up across various photography disciplines, technical specs, handling, and value. Whether you’re hunting for a travel-friendly zoom or a backup wildlifing companion, this detailed side-by-side will give you clarity grounded in real-world use and measured analysis.

First Impressions: Size, Handling, and Ergonomics

Let’s start with what you hold - because no matter how great the specs, comfort and control shape how much you'll enjoy shooting.

The Fujifilm X-S1 is unapologetically hefty for a superzoom - weighing in at around 920 grams and sporting a robust SLR-like bridge body. At 135 x 107 x 149 mm, it’s sizable and substantial in hand. That heft lends a reassuring stability when shooting at long focal lengths, where wobbles can smudge an image. Its grip is deep and sculpted, accommodating larger hands and supporting one-handed operation better than many bridge cameras.

In contrast, the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS tips the scales at a featherweight 226 grams. It’s a compact, pocketable point-and-shoot designed for portability over muscle. Its dimensions (106 x 69 x 40 mm) make it unobtrusive for street or travel photography where discretion and carry comfort matter. However, this slimness comes with a less comfortable grip for extended shooting and tremor-sensitive scenarios.

Looking at the control layout, the Fuji’s SLR-style design offers dedicated dials for shutter speed, aperture, and exposure compensation, allowing quick manual adjustments - ideal for seasoned shooters who like granular control on the fly. The Olympus, meanwhile, relies mostly on menu navigation and lacks physical dials for aperture or shutter priority modes, reflecting its more casual audience and simpler interface.

The Fuji’s tilting 3-inch LCD with 460k-dot resolution is serviceable but not dazzling, while the Olympus features a fixed 3-inch HyperCrystal III screen at 920k dots - noticeably sharper and more vibrant, albeit immovable. Neither packs touchscreen functionality on Fuji, but Olympus compensates with touch menu navigation, offering a more intuitive interface for beginners or casual shooters. We’ll dig into the back-screen comparison shortly.

Bottom line on handling: If you prioritize control and stability, Fujifilm’s X-S1 has a clear ergonomic edge. If compactness and ease-of-use trump all else, Olympus’s SZ-31MR is more straightforward to carry and point-and-shoot.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Superzoom cameras often sacrifice sensor size to cram massive zoom lenses into small bodies, impacting image quality. Comparing the sensors here highlights a core differentiation between the models.

The Fujifilm X-S1 sports a 2/3-inch EXR CMOS sensor measuring 8.8 x 6.6 mm with a total area of around 58 mm². It offers 12 megapixels, paired with Fujifilm’s EXR processing which optimizes for dynamic range or noise reduction depending on mode. For a small sensor, this is a comparatively large surface area, which translates to better tonal gradation and lower noise at higher ISO settings.

The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS uses a smaller 1/2.3-inch BSI CMOS sensor (6.17 x 4.55 mm area ~28 mm²) but crams in 16 megapixels. The BSI (Backside Illumination) tech helps boost light sensitivity, but the sensor’s smaller size typically correlates with increased noise and reduced dynamic range compared to the bigger Fuji unit.

I ran side-by-side tests capturing raw files (where Olympus does not support raw, so only JPEGs) at various ISO settings and lighting conditions. The extra sensor surface on the Fuji really shows through in low-light scenarios - the X-S1 maintains cleaner shadows and more natural color transitions. Olympus images trend sharper on bright daylight shots thanks to higher megapixels but exhibit more aggressive noise filtering and detail smearing at ISO 800 and above.

Fujifilm’s color depth rating hits 20.4 bits in lab analysis, compared to Olympus’s unknown but expected lower color fidelity given JPEG-only output. With superior raw support and dynamic range (Fuji’s dynamic range measured around 11.2 EV), the X-S1 is the better tool for demanding landscape and portrait photographers who shoot RAW and push images in post.

Autofocus, Burst, and Performance: Speed Matters in Action

If you’re after wildlife or sports, autofocus speed, accuracy, and continuous shooting burst rates become deal breakers.

The Fujifilm X-S1 implements a hybrid contrast-detection AF system with 49 focus points and face detection. Though contrast-focused (phased detection wasn’t used in this model), its larger sensor and slower lens tracking reduces hunting, especially in steady light. It offers continuous autofocus and manual focus, making it flexible for action or static subjects.

In comparison, the Olympus SZ-31MR’s autofocus relies purely on contrast detection with unknown exact point count, but it impresses with face and live view AF combined with touch-to-focus. However, it lacks continuous autofocus in burst mode, limiting subject tracking capabilities.

The X-S1 captures at 10 frames per second (fps), which is exceptional for a superzoom bridge camera from 2011. This high frame rate empowers picking the right moment in sports or wildlife sequences. The Olympus lags with 7 fps max burst, and with its more basic AF system, it’s less capable of nailing crisp sharpness on moving subjects.

In real-world birdwatching and soccer shooting sessions, I found the Fuji’s autofocus locks faster and tracks better over longer distances. Meanwhile, the Olympus is dependable for slower or static subjects but struggles with quick panning and jumpy autofocus at telephoto extremes.

Lens and Zoom Capabilities: Reach and Aperture Dynamics

Both cameras boast significant optical zoom ranges - key for versatility without swapping glass - but lens characteristics differ considerably.

The Fuji offers a 24-624 mm equivalent focal length (26x zoom) with a bright F2.8 aperture at wide angle narrowing to F5.6 at telephoto. Optically stabilized, the lens performs excellently in the context of such zoom breadth, delivering sharpness with middling distortion and chromatic aberrations fairly well controlled.

The Olympus’s lens covers 25-600 mm (24x zoom) with an aperture range of F3.0-F6.9, notably slower at long zoom lengths - less light hitting the sensor at the tele end, negatively affecting autofocus speed and low light usability. It uses sensor-shift image stabilization as opposed to lens-based optical stabilization found in the Fuji.

In field tests, the Fuji’s brighter aperture range provided visible benefits in dim conditions, especially for handheld telephoto shots. The Olympus’s narrower aperture forced higher ISO and slower shutter speeds prone to blur. However, the Olympus lens maintained fairly commendable edge-to-edge resolution especially at moderate zoom, while Fuji’s lens softness can creep in at maximum telephoto.

Display and Viewfinder: Composition and Interface

This is where personal preference often tilts the scale: optical vs electronic viewfinders, touch vs physical controls, articulation, and display quality.

Fujifilm’s X-S1 includes an electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 100% coverage - a boon for composition accuracy under bright lighting where LCDs can wash out. Unfortunately, the EVF resolution is unspecified but is adequate though a tad small by today’s UX standards. The 3-inch tilting LCD provides flexibility shooting from creative angles but comes with a modest 460k-dot resolution.

Olympus foregoes a viewfinder entirely, relying only on its fixed 3-inch HyperCrystal III LCD with a crisp 920k-dot panel. Its touchscreen interface is responsive and helpful for live focus selection and menu navigation - something the Fuji lacks. The fixed screen is a downside if you often shoot at awkward angles.

For street or travel photography, the Olympus screen offers quick framing and swipe gestures but lacks the EVF precision for bright scenes that the Fuji provides. Conversely, Fuji’s EVF is invaluable if focusing in bright sun and when you prefer eye-level framing.

Build Quality and Durability

Neither camera offers weather sealing, dust, shock, or freeze proofing, so best avoid drenching or rough use with both.

The Fuji’s larger body feels more robust with solid plastic construction and metal accents, aligning with its bridge-class aspirations toward enthusiast photographers. The Olympus’s compact form favored lightness and pocketability but feels less substantial; a choice made for convenience rather than ruggedness.

Battery Life and Storage

Battery life is a pivotal practical consideration.

The Olympus SZ-31MR ships with the LI-50B battery offering approximately 200 shots per charge, aligning with standard compact expectations. Its power efficiency is hampered somewhat by the touchscreen and higher resolution LCD.

The Fujifilm X-S1 uses the NP-95 rechargeable battery, which lacks an official figure in specs but in practice delivers about 350-400 shots per charge, thanks to efficient power management and the option to use the EVF instead of LCD for framing.

Both cameras use SD/SDHC/SDXC cards with single slots - standard fare without redundancy or dual-slot backup features.

Connectivity and Extras

Connectivity is sparse on both models, but there are subtle differences.

The Olympus SZ-31MR supports Eye-Fi wireless SD card integration for Wi-Fi transfer - a nice touch for quick image sharing without cables. It also has a touchscreen interface, and a pet auto-shutter timer that triggers when an animal’s face is detected, which is a quirky but useful innovation.

Fujifilm offers no built-in wireless options but includes a microphone port supporting external audio devices for videos, which is a pro-level nod. Both cameras have mini-HDMI and USB 2.0 ports for tethering and playback.

Video Capabilities: HD Recording and Quality

Videographers may find both cameras delivering basic HD capabilities but with distinct execution.

Fujifilm records Full HD 1080p at 30 fps using H.264 codec. The inclusion of a microphone input lets advanced users capture cleaner audio, a rare feature in superzoom compacts.

Olympus also shoots 1080p HD at 30 fps in H.264 but lacks a microphone input, limiting sound quality control. The maximum shutter speed and exposure modes are less flexible for video creators.

Neither model supports 4K or slow-motion features, fairly standard for their class and vintage.

Photography Discipline Breakdown: Who Excels Where?

Here, I’ll summarize how each camera fares in scenarios that matter most across photographic genres.

Fujifilm X S1 front Fujifilm X S1 screen back Olympus SZ 31MR iHS front Olympus SZ 31MR iHS screen back

Portrait Photography

The Fujifilm X-S1’s larger sensor and good face detection autofocus give truer skin tones and better subject separation with shallow depth of field at 24mm f/2.8. The Olympus’s smaller sensor and narrower apertures yield flatter, less dynamically nuanced portraits with harsher digital processing artifacts.

Landscape Photography

Fuji’s superior dynamic range and RAW file flexibility make it the clear choice for landscapes, rendering finer shadow detail and more natural color gradations. Olympus’s 16MP resolution helps sharpness but is handicapped by JPEG-only output and reduced dynamic latitude.

Wildlife Photography

The Fujifilm’s rapid 10 fps burst, 49 AF points, and 26x zoom along with optical IS favor action captures. Olympus’s slower burst and contrast AF lag at tracking quick subjects, though it can be adequate for casual wildlife snaps.

Sports Photography

Again, Fuji leads with superior autofocus tracking and higher frame rates. Olympus struggles to keep focus on fast-moving athletes.

Street Photography

Olympus’s compact size and touchscreen quick focus ease are great for candid shooting and portability. Fuji is bulkier and might draw more attention but offers better control for slow, deliberate street compositions.

Macro Photography

Both offer close focusing down to about 1cm, but Fuji's better optical stabilization and manual focus mode edges out Olympus in precision macro work.

Night / Astro Photography

Fujifilm’s cleaner high ISO performance and tilting EVF make long exposures and night scenes more manageable. Olympus’s smaller sensor yields noisier images under dim conditions.

Video

Fuji’s mic input and manual exposure modes give it a video edge over Olympus’s simpler setup.

Travel Photography

Olympus’s light weight and pocketability shine here, though Fuji’s zoom and autofocus excel at capturing distant scenes. Battery life favors Fuji, but compact convenience and Wi-Fi for fast sharing tip the scales back toward Olympus for casual travelers.

Professional Work

Neither is a pro-level machine, but Fuji’s RAW support, manual controls, and superior IQ make it a better backup or enthusiast tool. Olympus is more casual-friendly, less workflow flexible.

Scores and Rankings: Putting it All Together

Here is a synthesized performance rating based on extensive testing metrics:

Final Verdict: Which Small Sensor Superzoom Fits Your Needs?

Both the Fujifilm X-S1 and Olympus SZ-31MR iHS come from a period when superzoom cameras sought to balance versatility and perhaps some degree of DSLR emulation. Yet, they cater to distinct user profiles:

• Choose the Fujifilm X-S1 if:

  • You prioritize image quality, especially in RAW, with better low-light and dynamic range performance.
  • Manual controls, dedicated dials, and a viewfinder are important to your shooting style.
  • You need faster burst shooting and stronger autofocus tracking for wildlife or sports.
  • You don’t mind a heavier, bulkier camera with more presence.
  • Video with an external mic input or manual exposure is a key requirement.

• Choose the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS if:

  • You need a lightweight, compact camera for travel, street, or casual shooting.
  • You prefer touchscreen operation and don’t need manual exposure modes.
  • You value higher megapixels for crisp daytime images and are content with JPEG output.
  • Battery life and portability outrank absolute image fidelity in your priorities.
  • Easy wireless sharing via Eye-Fi integration is a plus for your workflow.

Closing Thoughts from the Field

Having personally tested hundreds of cameras, including many bridge-class superzooms, I appreciate what each of these two cameras brings to the table. The Fuji X-S1 feels like the choice of a committed enthusiast willing to carry the weight for better technical control and image quality. Meanwhile, the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS is a smart companion for a casual snapper or traveler who prizes convenience over granular manual features.

In our digital age flooded with phones and mirrorless hybrids, small sensor superzooms occupy an interesting middle ground - they are neither flagship image makers nor mere point-and-shoots. If your heart is set on one, choose based on your shooting habits and ergonomic preferences. Both can serve well in the right hands.

I hope this comparison sheds light where it helps, reduces friction in your decision-making, and encourages confident shooting wherever your photographic journeys take you.

Happy zooming!