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Nikon L820 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

Portability
72
Imaging
39
Features
28
Overall
34
Nikon Coolpix L820 front
 
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS front
Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
47
Overall
42

Nikon L820 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Key Specs

Nikon L820
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-675mm (F3.0-5.8) lens
  • 470g - 111 x 76 x 85mm
  • Introduced January 2013
  • Earlier Model is Nikon L810
  • Later Model is Nikon L830
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
  • Announced February 2012
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Nikon L820 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Overview

Following is a thorough comparison of the Nikon L820 versus Olympus SZ-31MR iHS, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Olympus. The resolution of the L820 (16MP) and the SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) is very comparable and they use the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The L820 was revealed 12 months after the SZ-31MR iHS and they are of a similar age. Both cameras come with different body type with the Nikon L820 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS being a Compact camera.

Before diving through a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the L820 scores versus the SZ-31MR iHS with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L820 over the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 L820 SZ-31MR iHS 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013February 2012More modern by 12 months
Display resolution921k920kCrisper display (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Nikon L820

 SZ-31MR iHS L820 
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Nikon L820 and Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 L820 SZ-31MR iHS 
Focus manually No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurements
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Nikon L820 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Nikon L820 comes with physical dimensions of 111mm x 76mm x 85mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 3.3") having a weight of 470 grams (1.04 lbs) whilst the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS has dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs).

Look at the Nikon L820 versus Olympus SZ-31MR iHS in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have attached at that time. Following is the front view size comparison of the L820 versus the SZ-31MR iHS.

Nikon L820 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the L820 and SZ-31MR iHS is 72 and 89 respectively.

Nikon L820 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS top view buttons comparison

Nikon L820 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be hard to see the difference in sensor sizes purely by seeing a spec sheet. The pic underneath might offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the L820 and SZ-31MR iHS.

Clearly, the 2 cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the exact same resolution and you can expect comparable quality of photos although you should always consider the launch date of the cameras into account. The newer L820 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon L820 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS sensor size comparison

Nikon L820 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L820 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L820 Portrait photography features
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Portrait photography features
30
MP count decent (16MP)
lack of manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
34
good megapixels (16MP)
offers face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon L820
Street photography with Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
38
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
heavier than competition in class (470 grams)
64
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has focus via touch
lighter than average in class (226 grams)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L820 Sports photography factors
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sports photography factors
36
excellent zoom range (23-675mm 29.3 x zoom)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
44
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery life (200 shots)
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L820 as a Travel photography camera
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Travel photography camera
56
MP count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (23mm)
long zoom (675mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
heavier than competition in class (470 grams)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
67
lighter than average in class (226g)
has focus via touch
good megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
does not have Timelapse function
bad battery life (200 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L820 Landscape photography advice
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Landscape photography advice
36
pretty wide (23mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
MP count decent (16MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
41
relatively wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16MP)
lack of manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
bad battery life (200 per charge)
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L820 as a Vlogging camera
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Vlogging camera
24
pretty wide (23mm)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
does not have mic jack
heavier than competition in class (470 grams)
35
relatively wide (25mm)
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (226 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have microphone support
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Nikon L820 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L820 and Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
 Nikon Coolpix L820Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
General Information
Company Nikon Olympus
Model type Nikon Coolpix L820 Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2013-01-29 2012-02-08
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Dual TruePic V
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.16 x 4.62mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 125 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 23-675mm (29.3x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.0-5.8 f/3.0-6.9
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 921k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech - Hypercrystal III TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1700 secs
Continuous shutter rate 8.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 9.30 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 470 grams (1.04 pounds) 226 grams (0.50 pounds)
Dimensions 111 x 76 x 85mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 3.3") 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 320 photos 200 photos
Battery style AA Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA LI-50B
Self timer - Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $192 $0