Olympus E-M5 vs. SZ-31MR iHS: An Expert Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

Choosing between Olympus's advanced mirrorless E-M5 and the compact superzoom SZ-31MR iHS might initially seem like comparing apples and oranges. One is a serious Micro Four Thirds system camera aimed at enthusiasts and semi-pros looking for versatility and image quality, the other a budget-friendly superzoom compact designed for convenience and extreme reach. But diving deeper, each has its own real-world strengths, quirks, and target audiences that deserve careful consideration.

Having spent over 15 years testing cameras across styles and genres (yes, clubs for thumbs included), I’ll walk you through the key differentiators, user experience, and what really matters beyond specs. No fluff or marketing hype - just practical insights to help you decide if it’s worth stretching the budget or embracing the cheapskate route.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Handling

At first glance, the Olympus E-M5 is a classic mirrorless SLR-style body measuring 122x89x43mm and weighing 425g. It has the solid heft and grip that inspire confidence for longer shoots, plus plenty of clubs for thumbs thanks to its thoughtfully sculpted ergonomics. Its magnesium alloy construction with environmental sealing makes it more rugged and travel-ready - splash proof, dust resistant, and built for some roughing it in the field.

The SZ-31MR iHS, by contrast, is a petite compact at 106x69x40mm and a feather-like 226g. It slips easily into pockets or bags but feels plasticky and unassuming in hand. The fixed lens zoom stretches from an eye-popping 25–600mm (24x optical zoom), but the body trades sturdiness for sheer portability and simplicity. There's no weather sealing or reinforced body - ideal for casual everyday shooting but less so if you need durability.

Ergonomics and handling are intuitively night and day here. The E-M5’s grip and physical controls make it a joy to shoot with manual exposure modes and quick access buttons, especially during extended use. The SZ-31MR relies on touchscreen navigation without physical dials or buttons, which can slow you down or frustrate in bright light.

Design and Controls: Intended User Experience

Looking from above, it’s clear the E-M5 is designed for photographers who want full control and customization. You get dedicated mode dials, exposure compensation wheels, and a host of tactile buttons that are responsive and well-placed. This layout is a godsend for those who live and breathe shooting in manual or shutter/aperture priority modes (that’s most pros and serious hobbyists).

SZ-31MR iHS’s top is minimalist: power, shutter, zoom rocker, and a modest mode dial with mostly auto or scene modes. The touchscreen acts as your main interface, which is great for novices or instant shooters but can make precise settings fiddly.

If you prize fast access and muscle memory for your controls, the E-M5 is going to reduce fumbling and missed shots. The SZ-31MR trades that for straightforward simplicity and easy point-and-shoot operation.

Sensors and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Here’s where the E-M5 flexes its muscles. It sports a 16MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor measuring 17.3x13mm, giving it a 2.1x crop factor. While not full-frame, the sensor size is significantly larger than the SZ-31MR's tiny 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor (6.17x4.55mm).

In my lab tests and real-world conditions, the E-M5 delivers images with sharper detail, richer color depth (DXO Color Depth around 22.8 bits), and a dynamic range close to 12.3 stops. Its native ISO top-end of 25600 and low-light ISO performance (DXO Low Light ISO 826) is respectable, allowing for clean images in dim conditions with less noise. The SZ-31MR, with a max native ISO of 6400 but a smaller sensor area less than a quarter the size, shows more noise creeping in beyond ISO 800-1600 and loses fine detail.

Color fidelity, especially for portraits, is noticeably better on the E-M5. Skin tones appear more natural, and the anti-aliasing filter helps maintain sharpness without too much moiré. The SZ-31MR, while decent for casual snaps, falls short here with less fine control and overall image quality.

LCD and Viewfinder: How You See Your Images

The E-M5 sports a 3-inch, 610K-dot tilting OLED touchscreen LCD and a high-resolution electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 1.44 million dots and 100% coverage. This EVF is invaluable for composing in bright outdoor light and for eye-level shooting comfort. The articulated screen also allows creative angles like waist-level or low down, useful for macro or street shots.

SZ-31MR’s fixed 3-inch 920K-dot Hypercrystal LCD is bright and sharp but without any viewfinder. Shooting in bright-light conditions can lead to frustrating glare, and without EVF support shooting against the sun is tricky.

For those who frequently shoot outdoors or need precise manual framing, going with a large EVF and tilt screen like the E-M5 offers is a major quality-of-life upgrade.

Autofocus Performance: Fast and Accurate vs. Basic

The Olympus E-M5 employs a 35-point contrast-detection AF system with face detection, continuous AF, and tracking capabilities, engineered for responsive autofocus in a variety of conditions. In my hands-on use, it locks quickly on to subjects - whether stationary or moving - especially useful in wildlife or sports scenarios where timing is crucial. The presence of selective AF areas and center-weighted metering also help in challenging lighting or complex scenes.

The SZ-31MR’s autofocus is contrast-detection only, with limited focus modes and slower acquisition speeds. It’s suitable for everyday snapshots but can lag behind for anything requiring speed or precision - say candid street photography or wildlife action.

Overall, E-M5’s AF system is flexible and reliable enough to cover everything from portraits to fast-action sports, while the SZ-31MR best suits casual users shooting still subjects in good light.

Burst Shooting and Shutter Speed: Capturing the Moment

Olympus E-M5 delivers an impressive 9 frames per second (fps) continuous shooting, which is very competitive for an advanced mirrorless from its era. Shutter speeds range from 60 seconds up to 1/4000th of a second, providing both creative freedom and the ability to freeze action. This combination makes it versatile for sports, wildlife, and night photography.

The SZ-31MR caps out at 7 fps and shutter speeds from 4 seconds to 1/1700 sec. Decent for casual snaps, but too limited if you want to capture lightning-fast moments or long-exposure astrophotography.

Lens Ecosystem and Flexibility: One Body, Many Options

A key reason seasoned photographers lean towards the E-M5 is its compatibility with the extensive Micro Four Thirds lens lineup - currently over 100 lenses including primes, macros, and fast zooms.

I personally own a few lenses to cover portraits, landscapes, and wildlife: Olympus’s 75mm f/1.8 for creamy bokeh, Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 for landscapes, and the 100-400mm for distant wildlife shots. Having the option to switch glass dramatically changes your creative potential (and image quality), which can’t be understated.

The SZ-31MR’s fixed zoom lens, while versatile (25-600mm equivalency), is a jack of all trades but master of none. The variable aperture from f/3.0 to f/6.9 limits low-light ability and depth of field control, and optical quality may drop toward the long end.

Stabilization and Image Sharpness: Keep It Steady

Both cameras offer built-in image stabilization, essential for handheld shooting. The E-M5 features Olympus’s acclaimed sensor-shift 5-axis stabilization system, which compensates for pitch, yaw, roll, and horizontal/vertical shakes. This system proved effective in my hands for keeping shots crisp even at longer telephoto focal lengths and slower shutter speeds - critical for travel, macro, and low-light shots without a tripod.

The SZ-31MR offers sensor-shift stabilization as well but without the 5-axis sophistication. While helpful up to a point, it’s less effective, especially when zoomed in at the 600mm equivalent end.

Video Capabilities: Full HD and Usability

Both cameras can shoot Full HD 1080p video, but with important differences.

The E-M5 records 1080p at up to 60 fps in H.264, which allows smooth motion and decent video quality, alongside manual exposure during recording. It’s a solid choice for vloggers or hybrid shooters (photo + video). However, no microphone or headphone ports limit audio control, a drawback for serious videographers.

The SZ-31MR also shoots 1080p but maxes out at 30fps and uses MPEG-4 or H.264 encoding. The video quality is fine for casual home movies, but the camera lacks manual exposure control and advanced features, making it less flexible for creative video.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

Battery-wise, the E-M5 offers approximately 360 shots per charge, respectable but you'll want spares for longer sessions. The SZ-31MR is rated for 200 shots, reflecting its more basic design and smaller battery.

Both cameras support SD/SDHC/SDXC cards with single card slots. The E-M5 has USB 2.0 and HDMI outputs and supports Eye-Fi connectivity for wireless image transfer, helpful for tethering or instant sharing. The SZ-31MR also supports Eye-Fi but lacks other wireless features like Bluetooth or NFC.

Price-to-Performance: Where’s Your Money Best Spent?

When originally priced around $800, the E-M5 was a formidable advanced mirrorless offering for ambitious photographers ready to invest in lenses and system growth. Its weather sealing, image quality, and control suite justify that asking price if you intend to crop into serious photography.

The SZ-31MR, sold as an affordable compact superzoom (price not listed but historically in the $200-$300 range), is meant for casual users or cheapskates who want crazy zoom reach and tons of features in a pocket-sized package without lens changing or complex settings.

If you’re just starting or want a pocketable travel companion for snapshots, the SZ-31MR does a fine job. But for any type of professional work or enthusiast-level creativity, the E-M5 delivers far more bang for your buck in long-term value.

How They Stack Up Across Photography Genres

Time for a quick genre-based breakdown to help you match the camera to your preferred shooting style.

Sample Image Gallery: Real-World Results

Olympus E M5 front Olympus E M5 screen back Olympus SZ 31MR iHS front Olympus SZ 31MR iHS screen back

Inspecting side-by-side shots confirms the discussion above: the E-M5’s pictures have greater detail, richer color fidelity, and less noise in shadows. The SZ-31MR delivers respectable casual shots but shows softness in corners and less tonal nuance.

Overall Performance Summary

Looking at the overall benchmarking and user reviews, the E-M5 rates significantly higher for image quality, autofocus, ergonomics, and versatility. The SZ-31MR offers a compelling package for casual users but lacks the advanced features needed by enthusiasts.

Final Verdict: Who Should Buy Which Olympus?

Buy the Olympus E-M5 if:

• You want an advanced interchangeable-lens system for serious photography projects
• You shoot portraits, landscapes, wildlife, or sports and require fast autofocus and high image quality
• You value weather sealing and robust build for travel and the outdoors
• Manual controls, RAW shooting, and lens variety are must-haves
• You want a camera that can grow with your skill over years (albeit with some investment in lenses)

Buy the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS if:

• You want an affordable, pocketable superzoom all-in-one for everyday snapshots
• Zoom reach (up to 600mm equivalent) is your primary need
• You prefer fully automatic shooting modes without fuss
• Image quality and advanced controls are secondary
• You want a light camera for family vacations or casual photographic fun without extra lenses or accessories

In My Personal Experience

I’ve owned and used the E-M5 camera body extensively in field conditions; it’s a reliable workhorse with image quality to back up its bulk and price. The joy of switching lenses, manual control, and the confidence that it will keep ticking through rain or dust can’t be beat.

The SZ-31MR I tested as a grab-and-go camera for spontaneous shooting errands or quick family outings where changing lenses wasn’t convenient. It does the job, but after a while, the lack of flexibility and image quality shortcomings become more obvious.

Parting Thoughts: What’s Your Next Step?

If you’re currently scouting for a versatile, capable interchangeable lens camera with a system behind it, the Olympus E-M5 remains a terrific entry point into Micro Four Thirds - especially on the used market where prices have softened since its launch.

For those on an extremely tight budget or craving zoom power without the hassle and expense of lenses, the SZ-31MR still has charm as a simple, feature-rich superzoom compact.

Whichever Olympus you lean towards, I hope this comparison helps you avoid buyer’s regret and find the camera best suited to your style, goals, and wallet. Remember, the best camera is the one that gets you out shooting happily every day.

Happy snapping!

For more detailed technical measurements, full sample galleries, and in-depth tests, visit my comprehensive DSLR and mirrorless archives.