Clicky

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FZ100

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
47
Overall
42
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100 front
Portability
67
Imaging
37
Features
62
Overall
47

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FZ100 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 FZ100
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 540g - 124 x 82 x 92mm
  • Introduced July 2010
  • Refreshed by Panasonic FZ200
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FZ100 Overview

On this page, we are looking at the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS versus Panasonic FZ100, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) and the FZ100 (14MP) is very close and both cameras boast the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

The SZ-31MR iHS was introduced 19 months later than the FZ100 making them a generation apart from each other. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS being a Compact camera and the Panasonic FZ100 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before going straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a short summation of how the SZ-31MR iHS matches up against the FZ100 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Panasonic FZ100

 SZ-31MR iHS FZ100 
IntroducedFebruary 2012July 2010More recent by 19 months
Display resolution920k460kSharper display (+460k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ100 over the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 FZ100 SZ-31MR iHS 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Panasonic FZ100

 SZ-31MR iHS FZ100 
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FZ100 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to lug around your camera, you will need to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS provides outer measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Panasonic FZ100 has measurements of 124mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 540 grams (1.19 lbs).

See the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS versus Panasonic FZ100 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you select at the time. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the SZ-31MR iHS compared to the FZ100.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FZ100 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-31MR iHS and FZ100 is 89 and 67 respectively.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FZ100 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FZ100 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its hard to visualise the gap in sensor measurements only by looking through specifications. The visual underneath might offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-31MR iHS and FZ100.

Plainly, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS to result in more detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The younger SZ-31MR iHS is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FZ100 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FZ100 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FZ100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Portrait photography features
Panasonic FZ100 Portrait photography features
34
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
comes with face detection focus
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
54
manual focus
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
offers face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FZ100 as a Street photography camera
64
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers touch focus
lighter than others in class (226g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
58
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
heavier than competition in class (540g)
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FZ100 as a Sports photography camera
44
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery (200 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
51
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
offers tracking focus
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Travel photography highlights
Panasonic FZ100 Travel photography highlights
67
lighter than others in class (226g)
offers touch focus
resolution is good (16MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
not so great battery (200 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
59
megapixel count decent (14MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
really wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition in class (540 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Landscape photography information
Panasonic FZ100 Landscape photography information
41
fairly wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
not so great battery (200 shots)
lack of Time Lapse mode
51
manual focus
really wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
delivers RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of Time Lapse recording
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Vlogging information
Panasonic FZ100 Vlogging information
35
fairly wide (25mm)
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others in class (226g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of external mic port
64
really wide (25mm)
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has mic support
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
heavier than competition in class (540 grams)
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic FZ100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Panasonic FZ100
 Olympus SZ-31MR iHSPanasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2012-02-08 2010-07-21
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Dual TruePic V Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
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 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/2.8-5.2
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 920 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology Hypercrystal III TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1700s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 7.0fps 11.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 9.30 m 9.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
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), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD
Mic 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 pounds) 540 gr (1.19 pounds)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 124 x 82 x 92mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 images -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch cost $0 $500