Clicky

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic GX1

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
47
Overall
42
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 front
Portability
87
Imaging
51
Features
54
Overall
52

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic GX1 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
  • Revealed February 2012
Panasonic GX1
(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
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

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.

Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

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.

Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

        

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Panasonic GX1

 SZ-31MR iHS GX1 
Display resolution920k460kCrisper 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 
AnnouncedFebruary 2012February 2012Same generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic GX1 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

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

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic GX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Portrait photography information
Panasonic GX1 Portrait photography information
34
MP count decent (16MP)
offers face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
70
manual focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Street photography camera
Panasonic GX1 as a Street photography camera
64
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has focus by touch
lighter than competition (226 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
69
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
has touch focus
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic GX1 as a Sports photography camera
44
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16MP)
offers tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (200 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect AF
46
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
max fps very slow (4.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery (300 shots)
no phase detect AF
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic GX1 as a Travel photography camera
67
lighter than competition (226g)
has focus by touch
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
not so great battery power (200 CIPA)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
65
has touch focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse function
terrible battery (300 shots)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
Landscape photography with Panasonic GX1
41
really wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
not so great battery power (200 shots)
lack of Time Lapse function
62
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery (300 per charge)
missing Time Lapse function
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Vlogging highlights
Panasonic GX1 Vlogging highlights
35
really wide (25mm)
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (226 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
lack of mic support
32
touchscreen capability
offers face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
missing mic jack
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic GX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Panasonic GX1
 Olympus SZ-31MR iHSPanasonic 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