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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FS25

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
47
Overall
42
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS25 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FS25 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
  • Launched February 2012
Panasonic FS25
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 29-145mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 148g - 97 x 58 x 22mm
  • Introduced January 2009
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FS25 Overview

In this write-up, we are matching up the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Panasonic FS25, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. There is a huge difference between the image resolutions of the SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) and FS25 (12MP) but they feature the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ-31MR iHS was brought out 3 years after the FS25 which is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a quick view of how the SZ-31MR iHS matches up vs the FS25 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Panasonic FS25

 SZ-31MR iHS FS25 
IntroducedFebruary 2012January 2009Newer by 37 months
Display resolution920k230kSharper display (+690k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS25 over the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 FS25 SZ-31MR iHS 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Panasonic FS25

 SZ-31MR iHS FS25 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FS25 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS comes with external dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") having a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FS25 has proportions of 97mm x 58mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") with a weight of 148 grams (0.33 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Panasonic FS25 in the latest Camera and 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 are employing at the time. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the SZ-31MR iHS against the FS25.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FS25 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-31MR iHS and FS25 is 89 and 95 respectively.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FS25 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FS25 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is difficult to visualize the difference between sensor dimensions merely by checking a spec sheet. The pic underneath will give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-31MR iHS and FS25.

Clearly, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You should expect to see the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS to give more detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images far more aggressively. The younger SZ-31MR iHS should have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FS25 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FS25 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FS25 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic FS25 as a Portrait photography camera
34
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
features face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
26
comes with face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Street photography details
Panasonic FS25 Street photography details
64
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers focus by touch
lighter than competition in class (226g)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sports photography highlights
Panasonic FS25 Sports photography highlights
44
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
features tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery life (200 per charge)
lack of phase detect autofocus
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Travel photography factors
Panasonic FS25 Travel photography factors
67
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
offers focus by touch
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
no Timelapse function
low battery life (200 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
51
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (29mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic FS25 as a Landscape photography camera
41
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
no manual control
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
low battery life (200 CIPA)
no Timelapse function
32
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (29mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
lack of manual mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Vlogging information
Panasonic FS25 Vlogging information
35
pretty wide (25mm)
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
no microphone support
28
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect autofocus
wide angle not great (29mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
low res video (640 x 480 resolution)
missing mic port
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FS25 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Panasonic FS25
 Olympus SZ-31MR iHSPanasonic Lumix DMC-FS25
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS25
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2012-02-08 2009-01-27
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Dual TruePic V -
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 16MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 1600
Max boosted ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 11
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 29-145mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 920k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology Hypercrystal III TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1700 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 7.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 9.30 m 5.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance 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) 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226 grams (0.50 lb) 148 grams (0.33 lb)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 97 x 58 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 shots -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model 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/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $0 $230