Clicky

Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

Portability
81
Imaging
52
Features
70
Overall
59
Olympus OM-D E-M5 front
 
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS front
Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
47
Overall
42

Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Key Specs

Olympus E-M5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 425g - 122 x 89 x 43mm
  • Announced April 2012
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-M5 II
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
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Overview

Below is a thorough comparison of the Olympus E-M5 versus Olympus SZ-31MR iHS, one being a Advanced Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are produced by Olympus. The resolution of the E-M5 (16MP) and the SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) is fairly comparable but the E-M5 (Four Thirds) and SZ-31MR iHS (1/2.3") come with totally different sensor sizing.

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

The E-M5 was released 3 months later than the SZ-31MR iHS which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-M5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight into a full comparison, below is a concise summary of how the E-M5 matches up against the SZ-31MR iHS in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 over the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 E-M5 SZ-31MR iHS 
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Olympus E-M5

 SZ-31MR iHS E-M5 
Display resolution920k610kCrisper display (+310k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-M5 and Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 E-M5 SZ-31MR iHS 
AnnouncedApril 2012February 2012Same generation
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Easily navigate

Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Physical Comparison

When you are going to lug around your camera regularly, you should factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-M5 enjoys outside dimensions of 122mm x 89mm x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") along with a weight of 425 grams (0.94 lbs) whilst the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS has measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs).

See the Olympus E-M5 versus Olympus SZ-31MR iHS in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the E-M5 and the SZ-31MR iHS.

Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-M5 and SZ-31MR iHS is 81 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is difficult to see the gap in sensor measurements purely by going through technical specs. The graphic below will give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-M5 and SZ-31MR iHS.

As you can tell, both cameras posses the exact same megapixel count but not the same sensor measurements. The E-M5 has got the larger sensor which will make obtaining shallower depth of field easier.

Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-M5
Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
71
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
34
megapixel count decent (16MP)
supports face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Street Comparison

Olympus E-M5 as a Street photography camera
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Street photography camera
82
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
offers focus via touch
environment proof
above average ISO range (25,600)
64
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with focus by touch
lighter than others (226g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M5 Sports photography highlights
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sports photography highlights
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proof
lacks phase detect autofocus
44
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
low battery pack (200 shots)
lack of phase detect AF
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M5 Travel photography factors
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Travel photography factors
66
environment proof
offers focus via touch
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
67
lighter than others (226g)
comes with focus by touch
megapixel count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
no Time Lapse mode
low battery pack (200 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M5 Landscape photography highlights
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Landscape photography highlights
73
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
missing Time Lapse recording
41
reasonably wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
low battery pack (200 CIPA)
no Time Lapse mode
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M5 Vlogging information
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Vlogging information
34
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing external mic socket
35
reasonably wide (25mm)
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (226g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no external mic socket
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M5 and Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
 Olympus OM-D E-M5Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
General Information
Company Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus OM-D E-M5 Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
Category Advanced Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2012-04-30 2012-02-08
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VI Dual TruePic V
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 25600 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 80
RAW photos
Minimum enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 35 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-600mm (24.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.0-6.9
Macro focus range - 1cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 610k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology Touch control in electrostatic capacitance type OLED monitor Hypercrystal III TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,440k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1700 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 9.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 9.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync (2), Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 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 file format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 425g (0.94 pounds) 226g (0.50 pounds)
Dimensions 122 x 89 x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 71 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.3 not tested
DXO Low light score 826 not tested
Other
Battery life 360 shots 200 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLN-1 LI-50B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Launch cost $799 $0