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Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

Portability
88
Imaging
52
Features
72
Overall
60
Olympus PEN E-PL5 front
 
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS front
Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
47
Overall
42

Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Key Specs

Olympus E-PL5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 325g - 111 x 64 x 38mm
  • Revealed September 2012
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
  • Launched February 2012
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Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Overview

In this write-up, we are matching up the Olympus E-PL5 versus Olympus SZ-31MR iHS, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are manufactured by Olympus. The resolution of the E-PL5 (16MP) and the SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) is very similar but the E-PL5 (Four Thirds) and SZ-31MR iHS (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor sizing.

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The E-PL5 was manufactured 8 months after the SZ-31MR iHS so they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight into a in depth comparison, below is a simple view of how the E-PL5 matches up against the SZ-31MR iHS when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL5 over the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 E-PL5 SZ-31MR iHS 
LaunchedSeptember 2012February 2012More modern by 8 months
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Olympus E-PL5

 SZ-31MR iHS E-PL5 
Display resolution920k460kClearer display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PL5 and Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 E-PL5 SZ-31MR iHS 
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Touch display Easily navigate

Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry around your camera regularly, you will want to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PL5 offers exterior measurements of 111mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") and a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs) whilst the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS has sizing of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") along with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-PL5 versus Olympus SZ-31MR iHS in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are employing at the time. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the E-PL5 against the SZ-31MR iHS.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL5 and SZ-31MR iHS is 88 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sensor Comparison

Typically, its hard to envision the difference between sensor sizes just by going over specifications. The pic underneath will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL5 and SZ-31MR iHS.

To sum up, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact megapixels but not the same sensor sizes. The E-PL5 has the larger sensor which will make achieving shallow depth of field less difficult. The more recent E-PL5 will have an edge in sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Portrait photography information
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Portrait photography information
71
has manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
34
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
includes face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 as a Street photography camera
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Street photography camera
85
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
supports focus by touch
above average ISO range (25,600)
64
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides focus via touch
lighter than competition (226 grams)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Sports photography highlights
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sports photography highlights
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
does not have phase detect AF
44
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
includes tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery (200 shots)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Travel photography information
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Travel photography information
75
supports focus by touch
decent MP (16 megapixels)
display is selfie friendly
lack of Time Lapse mode
67
lighter than competition (226g)
provides focus via touch
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
bad battery (200 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Landscape photography info
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Landscape photography info
74
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
lack of Time Lapse mode
41
pretty wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
no manual exposure
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
bad battery (200 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PL5
Vlogging with Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
78
display is selfie friendly
touch screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lack of mic socket
35
pretty wide (25mm)
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (226 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone support
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Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL5 and Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
 Olympus PEN E-PL5Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
General Information
Make Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus PEN E-PL5 Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2012-09-17 2012-02-08
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - 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 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 25600 6400
Min native ISO 200 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 35 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-600mm (24.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.0-6.9
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Total lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech - Hypercrystal III TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1700 secs
Continuous shooting rate 8.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) 9.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (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 data format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 325 gr (0.72 lb) 226 gr (0.50 lb)
Dimensions 111 x 64 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 72 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.3 not tested
DXO Low light score 889 not tested
Other
Battery life 360 pictures 200 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 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 Single Single
Launch price $400 $0