Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

Following is a complete overview of the Olympus E-P3 versus Olympus SZ-31MR iHS, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both produced by Olympus. There is a crucial difference among the resolutions of the E-P3 (12MP) and SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) and the E-P3 (Four Thirds) and SZ-31MR iHS (1/2.3") enjoy different sensor size.

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The E-P3 was announced 5 months earlier than the SZ-31MR iHS so they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-P3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight into a detailed comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the E-P3 grades against the SZ-31MR iHS in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus PEN E-P3 and Olympus SZ-31MR iHS. The whole galleries are viewable at Olympus E-P3 Gallery and Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Gallery.

For those who are going to carry around your camera often, you are going to need to consider its weight and volume. The Olympus E-P3 provides external measurements of 122mm x 69mm x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") and a weight of 369 grams (0.81 lbs) whilst the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS has sizing of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-P3 versus Olympus SZ-31MR iHS in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you choose during that time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the E-P3 versus the SZ-31MR iHS.

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the E-P3 and SZ-31MR iHS is 86 and 89 respectively.

In many cases, its hard to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes just by looking through a spec sheet. The picture below will offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-P3 and SZ-31MR iHS.

Clearly, the 2 cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The E-P3 using its bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF easier and the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS will result in extra detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs a little more aggressively.