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Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
60
Overall
52
Olympus PEN E-P3 front
 
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS front
Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
47
Overall
42

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Key Specs

Olympus E-P3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 369g - 122 x 69 x 34mm
  • Introduced August 2011
  • Superseded the Olympus E-P2
  • Updated by Olympus E-P5
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
  • Revealed February 2012
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Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Overview

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.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P3 over the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 E-P3 SZ-31MR iHS 
Focus manually Very exact focus

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Olympus E-P3

 SZ-31MR iHS E-P3 
Screen resolution920k614kCrisper screen (+306k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-P3 and Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 E-P3 SZ-31MR iHS 
RevealedAugust 2011February 2012Same generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Physical Comparison

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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS size comparison

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

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sensor Comparison

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.

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P3 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Portrait photography camera
60
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
features face detect focus
saves RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
34
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
includes face detect focusing
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Street photography features
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Street photography features
76
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
offers touch focus
screen is fixed
64
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with touch to focus
lighter than others in class (226g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Sports photography info
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sports photography info
49
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
low MP (12MP)
lack of phase detect auto focus
44
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
includes tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery life (200 CIPA)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Travel photography factors
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Travel photography factors
60
offers touch focus
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
low MP (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
67
lighter than others in class (226g)
comes with touch to focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
bad battery life (200 shots)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Landscape photography advice
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Landscape photography advice
65
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse recording
41
pretty wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
bad battery life (200 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P3 as a Vlogging camera
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Vlogging camera
35
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have mic socket
35
pretty wide (25mm)
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others in class (226 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
does not have microphone port
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Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P3 and Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
 Olympus PEN E-P3Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus PEN E-P3 Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2011-08-17 2012-02-08
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VI Dual TruePic V
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4032 x 3024 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 12800 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 35 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-600mm (24.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.0-6.9
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Total lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 614 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech 3:2 OLED with Anti-Fingerprint Coating Hypercrystal III TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1700 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 10.00 m (@ ISO 200) 9.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Wireless, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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 format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 369g (0.81 lb) 226g (0.50 lb)
Dimensions 122 x 69 x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 51 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 20.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.1 not tested
DXO Low light rating 536 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 shots 200 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 LI-50B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Launch price $0 $0