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Olympus E-PL8 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

Portability
86
Imaging
54
Features
76
Overall
62
Olympus PEN E-PL8 front
 
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS front
Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
47
Overall
42

Olympus E-PL8 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Key Specs

Olympus E-PL8
(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
  • 357g - 115 x 67 x 38mm
  • Launched September 2016
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-PL7
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-PL9
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-PL8 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Overview

In this write-up, we are reviewing the Olympus E-PL8 and Olympus SZ-31MR iHS, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both created by Olympus. The resolution of the E-PL8 (16MP) and the SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) is fairly well matched but the E-PL8 (Four Thirds) and SZ-31MR iHS (1/2.3") feature different sensor size.

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The E-PL8 was launched 4 years after the SZ-31MR iHS which is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL8 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS being a Compact camera.

Before diving through a full comparison, below is a quick summation of how the E-PL8 matches up vs the SZ-31MR iHS when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL8 over the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 E-PL8 SZ-31MR iHS 
LaunchedSeptember 2016February 2012More modern by 57 months
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1037k920kCrisper display (+117k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Olympus E-PL8

 SZ-31MR iHS E-PL8 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL8 and Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 E-PL8 SZ-31MR iHS 
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Easily navigate

Olympus E-PL8 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry around your camera regularly, you have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL8 enjoys external dimensions of 115mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") having a weight of 357 grams (0.79 lbs) whilst the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS has dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") having a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-PL8 and Olympus SZ-31MR iHS in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilising at the time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the E-PL8 vs the SZ-31MR iHS.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL8 and SZ-31MR iHS is 86 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL8 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be hard to imagine the contrast between sensor sizes merely by reading through specifications. The pic here may offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL8 and SZ-31MR iHS.

Plainly, both cameras enjoy the same exact MP but different sensor sizes. The E-PL8 uses the larger sensor which should make achieving shallow DOF easier. The more modern E-PL8 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL8 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL8 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL8
Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
72
focusing manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focus
saves RAW files
34
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
supports face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 as a Street photography camera
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Street photography camera
84
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
boasts touch focus
very good high ISO (25,600)
64
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports focus via touch
lighter than average in class (226g)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Sports photography camera
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
lack of phase detect auto focus
44
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
supports tracking autofocus
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (200 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Travel photography details
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Travel photography details
71
boasts touch focus
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
67
lighter than average in class (226 grams)
supports focus via touch
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
really wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
no Time Lapse function
not so great battery life (200 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Landscape photography information
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Landscape photography information
80
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
very good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW files
41
really wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
no manual control
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
not so great battery life (200 shots)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 as a Vlogging camera
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Vlogging camera
35
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
lack of microphone port
35
really wide (25mm)
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average in class (226 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no external mic port
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Olympus E-PL8 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL8 and Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
 Olympus PEN E-PL8Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
General Information
Company Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus PEN E-PL8 Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2016-09-19 2012-02-08
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VII 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 surface 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
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 25600 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 80
RAW data
Minimum enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 81 -
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 range - 1cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,037k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - Hypercrystal III TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1700 secs
Continuous shutter speed 8.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 9.30 m
Flash modes no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 357 gr (0.79 pounds) 226 gr (0.50 pounds)
Dimensions 115 x 67 x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 350 photos 200 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - LI-50B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release $500 $0