Clicky

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Olympus 550WP

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
47
Overall
42
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS front
 
Olympus Stylus 550WP front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Olympus 550WP Key Specs

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
  • Introduced February 2012
Olympus 550WP
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 38-114mm (F3.5-5.0) lens
  • 167g - 94 x 62 x 22mm
  • Introduced January 2009
  • Alternative Name is mju 550WP
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Olympus 550WP Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Olympus 550WP, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both are built by Olympus. There exists a sizable gap between the image resolutions of the SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) and 550WP (10MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

The SZ-31MR iHS was manufactured 3 years after the 550WP which is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick view of how the SZ-31MR iHS grades against the 550WP in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Olympus 550WP

 SZ-31MR iHS 550WP 
IntroducedFebruary 2012January 2009Newer by 38 months
Screen size3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution920k230kCrisper screen (+690k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus 550WP over the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 550WP SZ-31MR iHS 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Olympus 550WP

 SZ-31MR iHS 550WP 
Manually focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Olympus 550WP Physical Comparison

If you are going to travel with your camera regularly, you will have to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS features external dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Olympus 550WP has specifications of 94mm x 62mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Look at the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Olympus 550WP in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the SZ-31MR iHS against the 550WP.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Olympus 550WP size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ-31MR iHS and 550WP is 89 and 94 respectively.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Olympus 550WP top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Olympus 550WP Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be tough to visualize the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by reading through specs. The picture underneath may offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-31MR iHS and 550WP.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different resolution. You can expect the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS to give you more detail due to its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures way more aggressively. The more recent SZ-31MR iHS should have an edge in sensor technology.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Olympus 550WP sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Olympus 550WP Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Olympus 550WP Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Portrait photography info
Olympus 550WP Portrait photography info
34
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
comes with face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
19
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Street photography highlights
Olympus 550WP Street photography highlights
64
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has touch to focus
lighter than competitors in class (226g)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
61
image stabilization (Digital)
weather proofing
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sports photography features
Olympus 550WP Sports photography features
44
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
comes with tracking focus
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery life (200 CIPA)
no phase detect autofocus
30
image stabilization (Digital)
weather proofing
low max shutter speed (1/1,000s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Travel photography factors
Olympus 550WP Travel photography factors
67
lighter than competitors in class (226 grams)
has touch to focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
bad battery life (200 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
55
weather proofing
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
Landscape photography with Olympus 550WP
41
rather wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
no manual exposure
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
bad battery life (200 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
30
image stabilization (Digital)
weather proofing
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.5")
manual mode not available
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
lack of Timelapse mode
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Vlogging information
Olympus 550WP Vlogging information
35
rather wide (25mm)
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detect autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors in class (226 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have mic socket
25
image stabilization (Digital)
wide angle not good (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
lack of microphone jack
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Olympus 550WP Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Olympus 550WP
 Olympus SZ-31MR iHSOlympus Stylus 550WP
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Olympus Stylus 550WP
Otherwise known as - mju 550WP
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2012-02-08 2009-01-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Dual TruePic V -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 6400 1600
Lowest native ISO 80 64
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 38-114mm (3.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.5-5.0
Macro focus range 1cm 7cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 2.5 inch
Resolution of display 920k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech Hypercrystal III TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1700 secs 1/1000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 7.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 9.30 m -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off, On
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
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 226g (0.50 lbs) 167g (0.37 lbs)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 94 x 62 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 200 photos -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery model LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC xD-Picture Card, microSD, internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $0 $399