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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FH5

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
47
Overall
42
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
31
Overall
35

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FH5 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
  • Released February 2012
Panasonic FH5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • 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
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FS18
Photography Glossary

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FH5 Overview

Its time to look more in depth at the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FH5, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) and the FH5 (16MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras provide the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SZ-31MR iHS was manufactured 14 months later than the FH5 making them a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise overview of how the SZ-31MR iHS grades vs the FH5 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Panasonic FH5

 SZ-31MR iHS FH5 
LaunchedFebruary 2012January 2011Fresher by 14 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kCrisper display (+690k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH5 over the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 FH5 SZ-31MR iHS 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Panasonic FH5

 SZ-31MR iHS FH5 
Manually focus No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FH5 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry your camera regularly, you will need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS comes with external dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") and a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FH5 has dimensions of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs).

Look at the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FH5 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the SZ-31MR iHS versus the FH5.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FH5 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-31MR iHS and FH5 is 89 and 96 respectively.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FH5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FH5 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's tough to see the difference in sensor sizing merely by seeing specifications. The visual below should offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-31MR iHS and FH5.

To sum up, each of these cameras come with the identical sensor size and the same exact megapixels and you should expect comparable quality of files however you would want to factor the production date of the cameras into account. The more recent SZ-31MR iHS will have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FH5 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FH5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FH5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
Portrait photography with Panasonic FH5
34
good resolution (16 megapixels)
supports face detect autofocus
no manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
34
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
supports face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Street photography factors
Panasonic FH5 Street photography factors
64
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has touch to focus
lighter than competitors in class (226 grams)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
67
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers focus by touch
lighter than competition (121 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sports photography highlights
Panasonic FH5 Sports photography highlights
44
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (200 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
supports tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (4.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Travel photography details
Panasonic FH5 Travel photography details
67
lighter than competitors in class (226 grams)
has touch to focus
good resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
missing Timelapse mode
terrible battery life (200 per charge)
does not feature selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
71
lighter than competition (121 grams)
offers focus by touch
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse mode
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Landscape photography information
Panasonic FH5 Landscape photography information
41
decently wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
no manual control
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
terrible battery life (200 CIPA)
missing Timelapse mode
38
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Vlogging details
Panasonic FH5 Vlogging details
35
decently wide (25mm)
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors in class (226g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
does not feature selfie friendly display
missing microphone port
33
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection autofocus
lighter than competition (121 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external mic socket
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FH5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Panasonic FH5
 Olympus SZ-31MR iHSPanasonic Lumix DMC-FH5
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-FS18
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2012-02-08 2011-01-05
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
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)
Largest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.1-6.5
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 920k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology Hypercrystal III TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1700 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames per sec 4.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in 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)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226 grams (0.50 lb) 121 grams (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 photographs 260 photographs
Battery type 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 recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $0 $169