Olympus E-M10 IV vs. Olympus SZ-31MR iHS: An Expert Comparison for Photographers

Choosing the right camera involves balancing your creative ambitions against technical performance, usability, and budget. Olympus offers a diverse range of cameras, from entry-level mirrorless models to versatile compact superzooms. Today, we’ll take a deep dive into two distinct Olympus cameras: the Olympus OM-D E-M10 IV - a mirrorless system camera announced in 2020 - and the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS, a compact small-sensor superzoom from 2012.

Through hands-on testing and detailed technical analysis, we’ll help you understand how these cameras fare across a variety of photographic disciplines and real-world scenarios. Whether you’re a budding enthusiast, a travel photographer, or someone seeking a capable backup camera, this comparison will illuminate which Olympus model suits your needs best.

First Impressions: Size, Ergonomics, and Build

Handling comfort and body design impact your shooting experience just as much as sensor specs. The E-M10 IV and SZ-31MR iHS occupy very different niches in size and control, so let’s start with how they feel in your hands.

• Olympus E-M10 IV: This mirrorless camera has a classic SLR-style body with pronounced grip contours. It’s compact yet substantial, weighing 383g with dimensions of 122×84×49mm. Its build prioritizes comfort, making it easy to shoot handheld for extended sessions.

• Olympus SZ-31MR iHS: The SZ-31MR is ultra-compact at just 226g and smaller still at 106×69×40mm. It’s pocketable, perfect for casual strolls or quick snaps, but its slim profile means fewer grip enhancements and minimal physical controls.

From an ergonomics perspective, the E-M10 IV is designed to support more serious handling - essential for manual focusing and changing settings on the fly. The SZ-31MR, by contrast, aims for portability and simplicity, sacrificing extensive physical controls and customization.

Control Layout and User Interface

Shooting workflow deeply depends on the ease of control access and screen usability.

• E-M10 IV: Offers an intuitive control layout with dedicated dials for exposure compensation, ISO, shutter speed, and aperture. Buttons are well-spaced and customizable. You’ll appreciate the exposure mode dial and a sturdy shutter button designed for tactile feedback. This breadth of physical controls enables precise adjustments without diving into menus.

• SZ-31MR: Controls are minimalistic - no manual exposure modes or customizable buttons. The camera relies heavily on automatic shooting modes. There’s a mode dial but mostly preset scene selections. The touchscreen is employed for some settings, but it isn’t touch-sensitive in all menus.

For photographers who want to take creative control and fine-tune their shots readily, the E-M10 IV’s advanced interface is a clear winner. The SZ-31MR fits casual shooters who prefer simplicity over manual interventions.

Sensor Specs and Image Quality

At the heart of any camera is its sensor, which largely determines image quality. Let’s compare the core sensor technologies and their implications.

Real-World Impact

• Olympus E-M10 IV’s sensor is significantly larger, delivering superior light-gathering ability, less noise at high ISO, and broader dynamic range. You can shoot confidently in low light and expect cleaner images with rich colors and detail retention. RAW support maximizes post-processing control.

• Olympus SZ-31MR iHS’s small sensor is typical of compact superzooms and limits image quality, particularly under challenging light. JPEG-only output restricts editing flexibility. Noise tends to increase rapidly above ISO 400.

For enthusiasts pursuing image quality and creative flexibility, the E-M10 IV’s sensor is unquestionably superior, matching modern mirrorless standards. The SZ-31MR’s sensor is acceptable for casual or travel photography but not for demanding photographic work.

Display and Viewfinder Experience

Seeing your composition and playback images clearly is essential. Let’s see how the two cameras compare in this area.

• E-M10 IV: Features a 3-inch tilting touchscreen LCD with 1.04 million dots resolution. This tilt mechanism aids shooting from low or high angles. Additionally, it sports a high-resolution electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 2.36 million dots, full coverage, and 0.62x magnification, allowing eye-level framing in bright light conditions.

• SZ-31MR: Has a fixed 3-inch touchscreen LCD with 920k dots. There is no electronic or optical viewfinder - all composition must be done via the rear screen.

The E-M10 IV excels here with its high-res EVF and tilt screen providing excellent framing flexibility and protection. The SZ-31MR’s fixed screen is limiting, especially outdoors in bright conditions.

Autofocus Systems: Speed and Accuracy in Focus-Dependent Shooting

Autofocus (AF) performance is critical for sharp images - especially in action, wildlife, and street photography.

The E-M10 IV’s 121-point system offers high precision across the frame, reliable continuous and tracking AF modes, and touch-focus responsiveness. It allows you to shoot moving subjects confidently - essential for sports and wildlife work.

The SZ-31MR’s AF system is simpler, less responsive in continuous tracking, and best suited to static subjects. This limits its use in dynamic shooting scenarios.

Continuous Shooting and Burst Performance

Burst shooting matters for freezing action.

• E-M10 IV: Up to 8.7 frames per second (fps), enabling effective high-speed shooting.
• SZ-31MR: Continuous shooting at 7 fps but with limitations in autofocus continuity.

For sports or wildlife photographers who rely on capturing peak moments, the E-M10 IV’s burst capability will be more dependable.

Lens Systems: Flexibility vs. Convenience

The essence of a mirrorless camera’s utility lies in interchangeable lenses, whereas superzooms revolve around all-in-one optics.

• The E-M10 IV’s Micro Four Thirds system offers tremendous versatility - from fast primes for portraits and macros to telephoto zooms for wildlife. You can tailor your optics to your subject and shooting style.

• The SZ-31MR’s long zoom is excellent for casual travel or snapshooting where swapping lenses is inconvenient. Its 25-600mm equivalent zoom covers wide to extreme telephoto, but the aperture narrows considerably at the tele end, limiting low-light performance.

Image Stabilization and Low-Light Performance

• Both cameras feature sensor-based image stabilization systems.
• The E-M10 IV uses a sophisticated 5-axis stabilization mechanism to compensate for pitch, yaw, roll, horizontal and vertical shifts, enabling sharper handheld shots at slower shutter speeds.
• The SZ-31MR employs basic sensor-shift stabilization.

In practice, the E-M10 IV’s 5-axis IS is a huge advantage for handheld shooting in low light conditions, video smoothing, and macro photography. The SZ-31MR helps noticeably but cannot match this level of correction.

Video Capabilities: Quality and Versatility

Both cameras support video, but their offerings diverge greatly.

The E-M10 IV’s 4K video capability and 5-axis stabilization make it a highly capable hybrid camera for casual videography and vlog-style shooting. Although it lacks external mic ports, the onboard audio is decent.

The SZ-31MR’s video is limited to 1080p and lacks advanced stabilization and controls.

Durability and Weather Resistance

Neither camera is weather sealed or rated for rugged use explicitly. The E-M10 IV is built with higher-quality materials and sturdy construction, giving it a more durable feel suitable for cautious outdoor use. The SZ-31MR is a consumer compact and best kept dry and protected.

Battery Life and Storage

The E-M10 IV offers significantly longer battery life and faster UHS-II card support for improved data write speeds - beneficial for burst shooting and video.

Putting It All Together: Use Case Strengths and Recommendations

It’s clear these two cameras are built for very different purposes. To help you decide, let’s review their performance across common photography genres.

Olympus E M10 IV front Olympus E M10 IV screen back Olympus SZ 31MR iHS front Olympus SZ 31MR iHS screen back

For serious enthusiasts and pros, the Olympus E-M10 IV is the superior choice. It offers extensive creative control, strong image quality, and versatility across photography disciplines. Its modern sensor and video features align well with current content-creation demands.

On the other hand, if ease of use, light packability, and superzoom range are priorities - and you don’t require high-end image quality - the SZ-31MR remains a convenient companion for travel and everyday snapshots.

Overall Performance and Score Summary

Here’s how the cameras rank based on comprehensive testing and specifications:

Final Thoughts: Which Olympus Camera Fits Your Creative Vision?

If you are an aspiring or experienced photographer, and want a camera that grows with your skills while delivering excellent image quality and versatility, the Olympus OM-D E-M10 IV is a compelling choice. Its blend of user-friendly design with advanced controls, combined with a strong Micro Four Thirds ecosystem, gives you room to expand your artistry across genres - from portraits and landscapes, to wildlife, sports, and video.

Conversely, if you seek a no-fuss, pocketable all-in-one zoom camera to capture family moments, travel sights, or casual street scenes without manual settings, the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS still offers respectable performance on a budget. Keep your expectations realistic about image quality and autofocus in challenging scenarios.

We encourage you to try handling both models if possible, as ergonomics and interface comfort strongly influence your enjoyment during shoots. Finding the right lenses for the E-M10 IV or exploring accessories for the SZ-31MR can also elevate results tailored to your style.

Getting Started and Exploring Further

• Check out dedicated portrait or macro lenses if you opt for the E-M10 IV.
• Explore image stabilization techniques to maximize sharpness handheld.
• Experiment with the E-M10 IV’s raw files to unlock creative editing potential.
• For the SZ-31MR, practice maximizing its superzoom strengths and using stabilization.
• Consider upgrading memory cards to UHS-II for the E-M10 IV’s improved write speeds.
• For video enthusiasts, consider external microphones and lighting to complement the E-M10 IV’s 4K.

Ultimately, your camera is a tool to bring your creative ideas to life. With detailed insights from our extensive testing and experience, we hope this comparison helps you confidently select an Olympus camera that suits your photographic ambitions and fuels your journey behind the lens. Happy shooting!