Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic GX1
89 Imaging
39 Features
47 Overall
42


87 Imaging
51 Features
54 Overall
52
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic GX1 Key Specs
(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
- Revealed February 2012
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 160 - 12800
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 318g - 116 x 68 x 39mm
- Announced February 2012
- Replacement is Panasonic GX7

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic GX1 Overview
Its time to examine more in depth at the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS versus Panasonic GX1, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) and the GX1 (16MP) is very close but the SZ-31MR iHS (1/2.3") and GX1 (Four Thirds) use totally different sensor size.

The SZ-31MR iHS was launched at a similar time to the GX1 and they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS being a Compact camera and the Panasonic GX1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before diving in to a in depth comparison, below is a simple overview of how the SZ-31MR iHS grades vs the GX1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic GX1 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1. The complete galleries are viewable at Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Gallery and Panasonic GX1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Panasonic GX1
SZ-31MR iHS | GX1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display resolution | 920k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper display (+460k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic GX1 over the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
GX1 | SZ-31MR iHS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very accurate focusing |
Common features in the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Panasonic GX1
SZ-31MR iHS | GX1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | February 2012 | ![]() | February 2012 | Same generation |
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic GX1 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is intending to carry around your camera regularly, you will need to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS features exterior measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Panasonic GX1 has proportions of 116mm x 68mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") and a weight of 318 grams (0.70 lbs).
Examine the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS versus Panasonic GX1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you choose at the time. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the SZ-31MR iHS against the GX1.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-31MR iHS and GX1 is 89 and 87 respectively.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic GX1 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it is hard to see the contrast in sensor sizes just by viewing a spec sheet. The pic here may offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-31MR iHS and GX1.
As you can see, both cameras enjoy the same exact megapixels but not the same sensor sizes. The SZ-31MR iHS uses the smaller sensor which is going to make obtaining shallow DOF more challenging.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic GX1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic GX1 Specifications
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model type | Olympus SZ-31MR iHS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2012-02-08 | 2012-02-14 |
Body design | Compact | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Dual TruePic V | Venus Engine FHD |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | Four Thirds |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 16MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4592 x 3448 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 160 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | - | 23 |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | Micro Four Thirds |
Lens zoom range | 25-600mm (24.0x) | - |
Max aperture | f/3.0-6.9 | - |
Macro focusing range | 1cm | - |
Available lenses | - | 107 |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen resolution | 920k dot | 460k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Screen technology | Hypercrystal III TFT Color LCD | TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Electronic (optional) |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 4 seconds | 60 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/1700 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 7.0 frames per second | 4.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 9.30 m | 7.60 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | - | 1/160 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
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 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 226 grams (0.50 lb) | 318 grams (0.70 lb) |
Dimensions | 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") | 116 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | 55 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 20.8 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 10.6 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 703 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 200 pictures | 300 pictures |
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 recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Launch cost | $0 | $228 |