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Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
63
Overall
56
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
 
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS front
Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
47
Overall
42

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Key Specs

Olympus E-PM2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Revealed May 2013
  • Old Model is Olympus E-PM1
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
  • Announced February 2012
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Overview

Below is a detailed assessment of the Olympus E-PM2 and Olympus SZ-31MR iHS, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both manufactured by Olympus. The sensor resolution of the E-PM2 (16MP) and the SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) is pretty similar but the E-PM2 (Four Thirds) and SZ-31MR iHS (1/2.3") enjoy different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PM2 was released 16 months later than the SZ-31MR iHS which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight into a complete comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the E-PM2 scores versus the SZ-31MR iHS with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 E-PM2 SZ-31MR iHS 
AnnouncedMay 2013February 2012More recent by 16 months
Manual focus More exact focusing

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Olympus E-PM2

 SZ-31MR iHS E-PM2 
Screen resolution920k460kSharper screen (+460k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 E-PM2 SZ-31MR iHS 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen sizing
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Physical Comparison

If you are intending to lug around your camera often, you have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PM2 offers external dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) and the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS has proportions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") and a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-PM2 and Olympus SZ-31MR iHS in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the E-PM2 versus the SZ-31MR iHS.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PM2 and SZ-31MR iHS is 89 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's hard to visualize the difference between sensor measurements only by reading specs. The graphic below will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PM2 and SZ-31MR iHS.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras have got the exact same resolution albeit different sensor measurements. The E-PM2 features the bigger sensor which is going to make getting shallower depth of field less difficult. The newer E-PM2 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Portrait photography information
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Portrait photography information
71
manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
provides face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
34
good megapixels (16MP)
has face detect focus
manual focus not available
no manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PM2
Street photography with Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
79
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
comes with focus via touch
good ISO range (25,600)
fixed screen
64
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes focus by touch
lighter than average in class (226 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Sports photography highlights
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sports photography highlights
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
has no phase detect autofocus
44
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16MP)
has tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
low battery pack (200 shots)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Travel photography highlights
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Travel photography highlights
66
comes with focus via touch
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
no Time Lapse recording
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
67
lighter than average in class (226g)
includes focus by touch
good megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
no Timelapse recording
low battery pack (200 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Landscape photography advice
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Landscape photography advice
74
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
no Time Lapse recording
41
decently wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
no manual mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
low battery pack (200 shots)
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Vlogging details
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Vlogging details
36
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
no external mic jack
35
decently wide (25mm)
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average in class (226 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
display isn't selfie friendly
no microphone socket
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM2 and Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
 Olympus PEN E-PM2Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus PEN E-PM2 Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2013-05-21 2012-02-08
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - 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 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 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 format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 35 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-600mm (24.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.0-6.9
Macro focus range - 1cm
Available lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 460k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech - Hypercrystal III TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1700s
Continuous shutter rate 8.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in 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
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 269 gr (0.59 lbs) 226 gr (0.50 lbs)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 72 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.2 not tested
DXO Low light score 932 not tested
Other
Battery life 360 shots 200 shots
Battery type 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 feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $448 $0