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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FH2

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
47
Overall
42
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
33
Overall
35

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FH2 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
Panasonic FH2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 121g - 94 x 54 x 19mm
  • Launched January 2011
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-FS16
Photography Glossary

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FH2 Overview

On this page, we will be matching up the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS versus Panasonic FH2, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) and the FH2 (14MP) is pretty comparable and both cameras boast the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SZ-31MR iHS was revealed 14 months after the FH2 which makes them a generation away from one another. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the SZ-31MR iHS matches up vs the FH2 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Panasonic FH2

 SZ-31MR iHS FH2 
LaunchedFebruary 2012January 2011Newer by 14 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kSharper screen (+690k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH2 over the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 FH2 SZ-31MR iHS 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Panasonic FH2

 SZ-31MR iHS FH2 
Focus manually No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FH2 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to travel with your camera frequently, you'll need to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS has exterior measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") having a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Panasonic FH2 has proportions of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") having a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS versus Panasonic FH2 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the SZ-31MR iHS against the FH2.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FH2 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ-31MR iHS and FH2 is 89 and 96 respectively.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FH2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FH2 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its hard to picture the gap in sensor dimensions simply by checking out a spec sheet. The picture underneath should give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-31MR iHS and FH2.

Clearly, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You should expect the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS to show more detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots more aggressively. The more recent SZ-31MR iHS should have an advantage in sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FH2 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FH2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FH2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
Portrait photography with Panasonic FH2
34
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
comes with face detection focus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
33
good resolution (14 megapixels)
offers face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
Street photography with Panasonic FH2
64
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports focus by touch
lighter than average (226 grams)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
67
has image stabilization (Optical)
has focus by touch
lighter than competition in class (121 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sports photography advice
Panasonic FH2 Sports photography advice
44
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (200 CIPA)
lack of phase detect auto focus
43
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
offers tracking focus
great battery (270 CIPA)
slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Travel photography information
Panasonic FH2 Travel photography information
67
lighter than average (226g)
supports focus by touch
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
terrible battery power (200 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.0)
72
great battery (270 CIPA)
lighter than competition in class (121g)
has focus by touch
good resolution (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
doesn't have selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Landscape photography features
Panasonic FH2 Landscape photography features
41
quite wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
terrible battery power (200 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse recording
41
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
great battery (270 shots)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7 inches)
manual mode not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Vlogging advice
Panasonic FH2 Vlogging advice
35
quite wide (25mm)
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average (226 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have external mic port
32
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
lighter than competition in class (121g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic jack
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FH2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Panasonic FH2
 Olympus SZ-31MR iHSPanasonic Lumix DMC-FH2
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2
Also called as - Lumix DMC-FS16
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2012-02-08 2011-01-05
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Dual TruePic V Venus Engine IV
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.1-6.5
Macro focusing range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 920 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology Hypercrystal III TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1700 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 7.0 frames per second 4.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 9.30 m 3.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure 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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226 gr (0.50 lb) 121 gr (0.27 lb)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7")
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 pictures 270 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $0 $149