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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Olympus TG-3

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
47
Overall
42
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS front
 
Olympus Tough TG-3 front
Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
46
Overall
42

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Olympus TG-3 Key Specs

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
  • Introduced February 2012
Olympus TG-3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 247g - 112 x 66 x 31mm
  • Announced March 2014
  • Successor is Olympus TG-4
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Olympus TG-3 Overview

Its time to take a deeper look at the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Olympus TG-3, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Waterproof and both are sold by Olympus. The resolution of the SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) and the TG-3 (16MP) is relatively close and they feature the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SZ-31MR iHS was revealed 3 years before the TG-3 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving through a in-depth comparison, below is a short overview of how the SZ-31MR iHS matches up versus the TG-3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Olympus TG-3

 SZ-31MR iHS TG-3 
Screen resolution920k460kCrisper screen (+460k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-3 over the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 TG-3 SZ-31MR iHS 
AnnouncedMarch 2014February 2012More modern by 26 months

Common features in the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Olympus TG-3

 SZ-31MR iHS TG-3 
Manually focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Olympus TG-3 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you should factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS enjoys exterior measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") and a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Olympus TG-3 has dimensions of 112mm x 66mm x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 247 grams (0.54 lbs).

See the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Olympus TG-3 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you select at the time. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the SZ-31MR iHS and the TG-3.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Olympus TG-3 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-31MR iHS and TG-3 is 89 and 90 respectively.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Olympus TG-3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Olympus TG-3 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to imagine the gap in sensor sizes just by viewing technical specs. The picture underneath may provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-31MR iHS and TG-3.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the exact same MP therefore you should expect comparable quality of images although you will need to factor the release date of the cameras into account. The more aged SZ-31MR iHS will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Olympus TG-3 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Olympus TG-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Olympus TG-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Portrait photography details
Olympus TG-3 Portrait photography details
34
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
includes face detect focus
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
37
MP count decent (16MP)
offers face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Street photography info
Olympus TG-3 Street photography info
64
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with touch to focus
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
59
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proofing
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
more heavy than average in class (247g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sports photography information
Olympus TG-3 Sports photography information
44
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery (200 per charge)
does not have phase detect auto focus
47
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
weather proofing
better than average battery power (330 CIPA)
slow fps (5.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
Travel photography with Olympus TG-3
67
lighter than competition in class (226g)
comes with touch to focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
no Time Lapse mode
terrible battery (200 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
74
better than average battery power (330 shots)
weather proofing
MP count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
more heavy than average in class (247 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
Landscape photography with Olympus TG-3
41
really wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
terrible battery (200 shots)
no Time Lapse mode
56
pretty wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
weather proofing
better than average battery power (330 per charge)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Vlogging camera
Olympus TG-3 as a Vlogging camera
35
really wide (25mm)
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no mic port
34
pretty wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have microphone socket
more heavy than average in class (247g)
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Olympus TG-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Olympus TG-3
 Olympus SZ-31MR iHSOlympus Tough TG-3
General Information
Company Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Olympus Tough TG-3
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Introduced 2012-02-08 2014-03-31
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Dual TruePic V TruePic VII
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
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
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/2.0-4.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 920k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech Hypercrystal III TFT Color LCD TFT-LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/1700s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 9.30 m -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off, LED
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 H.264, Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226g (0.50 pounds) 247g (0.54 pounds)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 112 x 66 x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 200 images 330 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B LI-92B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $0 $350