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Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

Portability
85
Imaging
55
Features
78
Overall
64
Olympus PEN E-PL9 front
 
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS front
Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
47
Overall
42

Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Key Specs

Olympus E-PL9
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 6400 (Increase to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 380g - 117 x 68 x 39mm
  • Released February 2018
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-PL8
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
  • Released February 2012
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Overview

Below is a extensive assessment of the Olympus E-PL9 and Olympus SZ-31MR iHS, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are created by Olympus. The image resolution of the E-PL9 (16MP) and the SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) is pretty close but the E-PL9 (Four Thirds) and SZ-31MR iHS (1/2.3") boast different sensor sizes.

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The E-PL9 was manufactured 6 years later than the SZ-31MR iHS and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL9 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS being a Compact camera.

Before getting into a comprehensive comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the E-PL9 grades versus the SZ-31MR iHS in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL9 over the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 E-PL9 SZ-31MR iHS 
ReleasedFebruary 2018February 2012More recent by 74 months
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1040k920kCrisper screen (+120k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Olympus E-PL9

 SZ-31MR iHS E-PL9 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL9 and Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 E-PL9 SZ-31MR iHS 
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to lug around your camera, you will want to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL9 features exterior measurements of 117mm x 68mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") and a weight of 380 grams (0.84 lbs) while the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS has measurements 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-PL9 and Olympus SZ-31MR iHS in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have at the time. The following is a front view scale comparison of the E-PL9 vs the SZ-31MR iHS.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL9 and SZ-31MR iHS is 85 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is difficult to imagine the difference in sensor measurements only by viewing a spec sheet. The visual below will help give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL9 and SZ-31MR iHS.

As you can see, each of the cameras come with the identical megapixels albeit different sensor measurements. The E-PL9 uses the bigger sensor which will make obtaining shallow DOF less difficult. The more modern E-PL9 should have a benefit in sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Portrait photography camera
73
has manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
provides face detection focusing
supports RAW files
34
good MP (16MP)
comes with face detect autofocus
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Street photography features
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Street photography features
84
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
provides focus via touch
64
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
boasts focus via touch
lighter than competitors (226 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PL9
Sports photography with Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
69
quiet shooting (1/16,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
lacks phase detect AF
44
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16MP)
comes with tracking focus
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
low battery pack (200 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Travel photography information
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Travel photography information
77
connects via bluetooth
provides focus via touch
resolution is good (16MP)
flash built-in
display isn't selfie friendly
67
lighter than competitors (226g)
boasts focus via touch
good MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
low battery pack (200 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Landscape photography highlights
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Landscape photography highlights
80
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
41
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
low battery pack (200 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 as a Vlogging camera
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Vlogging camera
35
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of external microphone socket
35
fairly wide (25mm)
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors (226g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone port
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL9 and Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
 Olympus PEN E-PL9Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
General Information
Make Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL9 Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2018-02-08 2012-02-08
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VIII 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 16MP 16MP
Anti alias 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 6400 6400
Maximum enhanced ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 200 80
RAW data
Lowest enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 121 -
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 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 1,040k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech - Hypercrystal III TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1700s
Max quiet shutter speed 1/16000s -
Continuous shutter speed 8.6fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 7.60 m (at ISO 200) 9.30 m
Flash options Auto, manual, redeye reduction, slow sync w/redeye reduction, slow sync , slow sync 2nd-curtain, fill-in, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 380 grams (0.84 pounds) 226 grams (0.50 pounds)
Physical dimensions 117 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 350 photographs 200 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - LI-50B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $599 $0