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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Olympus TG-6

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
47
Overall
42
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS front
 
Olympus Tough TG-6 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
54
Overall
45

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Olympus TG-6 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 TG-6
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 253g - 113 x 66 x 32mm
  • Announced May 2019
  • Replaced the Olympus TG-5
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Olympus TG-6 Overview

In this article, we are comparing the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Olympus TG-6, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Waterproof and both of them are built by Olympus. There exists a substantial gap among the image resolutions of the SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) and TG-6 (12MP) but they feature the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SZ-31MR iHS was released 8 years prior to the TG-6 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple summary of how the SZ-31MR iHS grades vs the TG-6 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Olympus TG-6

 SZ-31MR iHS TG-6 
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-6 over the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 TG-6 SZ-31MR iHS 
AnnouncedMay 2019February 2012Fresher by 88 months
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Display resolution1040k920kClearer display (+120k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Olympus TG-6

 SZ-31MR iHS TG-6 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Olympus TG-6 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry your camera, you will want to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS features exterior 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) while the Olympus TG-6 has sizing of 113mm x 66mm x 32mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") having a weight of 253 grams (0.56 lbs).

Compare the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Olympus TG-6 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you select at that moment. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the SZ-31MR iHS vs the TG-6.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Olympus TG-6 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-31MR iHS and TG-6 is 89 and 90 respectively.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Olympus TG-6 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Olympus TG-6 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing purely by looking through technical specs. The photograph below will offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-31MR iHS and TG-6.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You can expect to see the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS to result in more detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics a little more aggressively. The older SZ-31MR iHS will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Olympus TG-6 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Olympus TG-6 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Olympus TG-6 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus TG-6 as a Portrait photography camera
34
megapixel count good (16MP)
has face detect focus
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
40
focusing manually
features face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Street photography advice
Olympus TG-6 Street photography advice
64
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has focus via touch
lighter than others (226g)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
65
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW files
weather proof
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
heavier than competitors in class (253g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sports photography info
Olympus TG-6 Sports photography info
44
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
has tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery (200 shots)
has no phase detect auto focus
47
max fps high (20.0 frames per second)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features tracking focus
weather proof
better than average battery pack (340 per charge)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Travel photography info
Olympus TG-6 Travel photography info
67
lighter than others (226g)
has focus via touch
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
no Time Lapse recording
bad battery (200 CIPA)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
68
better than average battery pack (340 shots)
weather proof
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
heavier than competitors in class (253g)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Landscape photography advice
Olympus TG-6 Landscape photography advice
41
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
manual mode not available
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
bad battery (200 per charge)
no Time Lapse recording
57
focusing manually
decently wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW files
weather proof
better than average battery pack (340 CIPA)
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
lack of manual exposure
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Vlogging info
Olympus TG-6 Vlogging info
35
fairly wide (25mm)
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others (226 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
no mic port
34
decently wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detect autofocus
high video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does not offer selfie friendly display
does not have mic socket
heavier than competitors in class (253g)
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Olympus TG-6 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Olympus TG-6
 Olympus SZ-31MR iHSOlympus Tough TG-6
General Information
Brand Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Olympus Tough TG-6
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Introduced 2012-02-08 2019-05-22
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Dual TruePic V TruePic VIII
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 25
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/2.0-4.9
Macro focus distance 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 920 thousand dots 1,040 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology Hypercrystal III TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1700 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 7.0fps 20.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 9.30 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, Red Eye Reduction, Slow sync. (1st curtain), Red-eye Slow sync. (1st curtain), Fill- in, Manual, Flash Off
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PC
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic 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 Built-in
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226 gr (0.50 lbs) 253 gr (0.56 lbs)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 113 x 66 x 32mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3")
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 200 photos 340 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B LI-92B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I support)
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $0 $449