Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic GH1
89 Imaging
39 Features
47 Overall
42


81 Imaging
49 Features
57 Overall
52
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic GH1 Key Specs
(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
- Announced February 2012
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Display
- ISO 100 - 1600 (Expand to 3200)
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 385g - 124 x 90 x 45mm
- Launched July 2009
- Replacement is Panasonic GH2

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic GH1 Overview
Here is a in depth analysis of the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS versus Panasonic GH1, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Advanced Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Panasonic. There is a considerable difference among the resolutions of the SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) and GH1 (12MP) and the SZ-31MR iHS (1/2.3") and GH1 (Four Thirds) use totally different sensor sizing.

The SZ-31MR iHS was revealed 2 years later than the GH1 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS being a Compact camera and the Panasonic GH1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.
Before getting in to a in depth comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the SZ-31MR iHS matches up against the GH1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic GH1 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus SZ-31MR iHS & Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1. The full galleries are viewable at Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Gallery & Panasonic GH1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Panasonic GH1
SZ-31MR iHS | GH1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | February 2012 | ![]() | July 2009 | Fresher by 32 months |
Display resolution | 920k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper display (+460k dot) |
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Panasonic GH1 over the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
GH1 | SZ-31MR iHS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focus | ||
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Common features in the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Panasonic GH1
SZ-31MR iHS | GH1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display measurement |
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic GH1 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is intending to carry your camera often, you need to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS has got outer 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) and the Panasonic GH1 has proportions of 124mm x 90mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 1.8") with a weight of 385 grams (0.85 lbs).
Contrast the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS versus Panasonic GH1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the SZ-31MR iHS versus the GH1.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-31MR iHS and GH1 is 89 and 81 respectively.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic GH1 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it can be tough to envision the contrast in sensor sizing purely by researching technical specs. The photograph below will give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-31MR iHS and GH1.
As you have seen, the two cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The SZ-31MR iHS having a smaller sensor will make achieving shallower DOF tougher and the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS will provide you with more detail because of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will help you crop pics far more aggressively. The younger SZ-31MR iHS will have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic GH1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic GH1 Specifications
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model type | Olympus SZ-31MR iHS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Advanced Mirrorless |
Announced | 2012-02-08 | 2009-07-10 |
Body design | Compact | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Dual TruePic V | Venus Engine HD |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | Four Thirds |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 18.89 x 14.48mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 273.5mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 12 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 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 1600 |
Highest boosted ISO | - | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | Micro Four Thirds |
Lens zoom range | 25-600mm (24.0x) | - |
Highest aperture | f/3.0-6.9 | - |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | - |
Available lenses | - | 107 |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 1.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
Display sizing | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of display | 920k dot | 460k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display technology | Hypercrystal III TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Electronic |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100 percent |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 4s | 60s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/1700s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shooting speed | 7.0fps | 3.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 9.30 m | 10.50 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | - | 1/160s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
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 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | AVCHD |
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 | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 226 grams (0.50 pounds) | 385 grams (0.85 pounds) |
Dimensions | 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") | 124 x 90 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 1.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | 64 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 21.6 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 11.6 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 772 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 200 pictures | 320 pictures |
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 feature | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Price at launch | $0 | $949 |