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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FX78

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
47
Overall
42
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
31
Overall
33

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FX78 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
  • Launched February 2012
Panasonic FX78
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-5.9) lens
  • 142g - 100 x 55 x 21mm
  • Released January 2011
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FX77
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FX78 Overview

Lets look more in depth at the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FX78, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. There is a big difference among the image resolutions of the SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) and FX78 (12MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SZ-31MR iHS was introduced 13 months later than the FX78 making them a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting straight to a complete comparison, here is a concise summary of how the SZ-31MR iHS grades vs the FX78 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Panasonic FX78

 SZ-31MR iHS FX78 
ReleasedFebruary 2012January 2011More recent by 13 months
Display resolution920k230kSharper display (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FX78 over the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 FX78 SZ-31MR iHS 
Display size3.5"3"Larger display (+0.5")

Common features in the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Panasonic FX78

 SZ-31MR iHS FX78 
Manually focus Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display Easily navigate

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FX78 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to lug around your camera, you are going to need to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS has got external measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") and a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Panasonic FX78 has measurements of 100mm x 55mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") and a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs).

Examine the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FX78 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you use at that time. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the SZ-31MR iHS and the FX78.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FX78 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-31MR iHS and FX78 is 89 and 95 respectively.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FX78 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FX78 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's tough to visualize the difference in sensor measurements purely by seeing specifications. The graphic here should give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-31MR iHS and FX78.

To sum up, both of the cameras come with the identical sensor size but different MP. You should expect to see the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS to provide greater detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The newer SZ-31MR iHS should have an edge in sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FX78 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FX78 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FX78 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Portrait photography info
Panasonic FX78 Portrait photography info
34
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has face detect focusing
manual focus not available
no manual mode
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
21
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Street photography info
Panasonic FX78 Street photography info
64
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features focus by touch
lighter than average (226 grams)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
57
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sports photography information
Panasonic FX78 Sports photography information
44
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has tracking focus
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (200 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect AF
28
image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking autofocus
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,400 seconds)
slow frames per second (4.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
low battery (200 per charge)
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
Travel photography with Panasonic FX78
67
lighter than average (226g)
features focus by touch
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
missing Timelapse function
terrible battery power (200 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
56
built-in flash
decently wide (24mm)
no Timelapse recording
low battery (200 per charge)
megapixel count low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic FX78 as a Landscape photography camera
41
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
no manual mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
terrible battery power (200 per charge)
missing Timelapse function
36
decently wide (24mm)
screen larger than average (3.5")
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.5)
lack of manual exposure
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
low battery (200 shots)
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
Vlogging with Panasonic FX78
35
fairly wide (25mm)
touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average (226g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing microphone support
33
decently wide (24mm)
touch screen
image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow max aperture (f2.5)
display is not selfie friendly
no external microphone port
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FX78 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Panasonic FX78
 Olympus SZ-31MR iHSPanasonic Lumix DMC-FX78
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-FX77
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2012-02-08 2011-01-25
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Dual TruePic V Venus Engine FHD
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 area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/2.5-5.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3.5 inches
Display resolution 920 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech Hypercrystal III TFT Color LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1700 seconds 1/1400 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 7.0 frames per sec 4.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 9.30 m 5.60 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226 grams (0.50 lb) 142 grams (0.31 lb)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 100 x 55 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8")
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 200 photographs
Battery form 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 media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $0 $210