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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FH8

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
47
Overall
42
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
32
Overall
36

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FH8 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
  • Announced February 2012
Panasonic FH8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-6.4) lens
  • 123g - 96 x 57 x 19mm
  • Announced January 2012
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FH8 Overview

Following is a in depth assessment of the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FH8, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) and the FH8 (16MP) is relatively similar and both cameras boast the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ-31MR iHS was introduced very close to the FH8 so they are of a similar age. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the SZ-31MR iHS scores against the FH8 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Panasonic FH8

 SZ-31MR iHS FH8 
Screen resolution920k230kClearer screen (+690k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH8 over the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 FH8 SZ-31MR iHS 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Panasonic FH8

 SZ-31MR iHS FH8 
AnnouncedFebruary 2012January 2012Similar age
Manually focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FH8 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry around your camera often, you'll have to factor its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS features physical 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) whilst the Panasonic FH8 has specifications of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") having a weight of 123 grams (0.27 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FH8 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilising at that time. The following is a front view scale comparison of the SZ-31MR iHS compared to the FH8.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FH8 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-31MR iHS and FH8 is 89 and 96 respectively.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FH8 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FH8 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its difficult to see the gap between sensor sizes just by reviewing technical specs. The picture underneath will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-31MR iHS and FH8.

As you have seen, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the exact same megapixels so you can expect similar quality of files but you should really factor the launch date of the products into consideration.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FH8 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FH8 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FH8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Portrait photography features
Panasonic FH8 Portrait photography features
34
good resolution (16MP)
supports face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
34
decent MP (16MP)
provides face detection focus
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Street photography info
Panasonic FH8 Street photography info
64
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features touch to focus
lighter than competition (226 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (123 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sports photography features
Panasonic FH8 Sports photography features
44
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16MP)
supports tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (200 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect AF
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
low fps (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Travel photography details
Panasonic FH8 Travel photography details
67
lighter than competition (226 grams)
features touch to focus
good resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
not so great battery power (200 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
69
lighter than competitors in class (123g)
decent MP (16MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
missing Timelapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Landscape photography information
Panasonic FH8 Landscape photography information
41
decently wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
manual mode not available
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
not so great battery power (200 per charge)
missing Time Lapse recording
43
rather wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.5)
lack of manual mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
Vlogging with Panasonic FH8
35
decently wide (25mm)
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (226g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
missing mic socket
33
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focus
lighter than competitors in class (123g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone support
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FH8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Panasonic FH8
 Olympus SZ-31MR iHSPanasonic Lumix DMC-FH8
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2012-02-08 2012-01-09
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 23
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/2.5-6.4
Macro focusing range 1cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 920 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech Hypercrystal III TFT Color LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 8 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1700 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 9.30 m 5.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported 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)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226 gr (0.50 lb) 123 gr (0.27 lb)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" 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
Style of battery 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 shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Launch pricing $0 $149