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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic LZ20

Portability
89 Imaging
39 Features
47 Overall
42
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20 front
Portability
71 Imaging
39 Features
34 Overall
37

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic LZ20 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
  • Introduced February 2012
Panasonic LZ20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-525mm (F3.1-5.8) lens
  • 499g - 120 x 76 x 80mm
  • Released July 2012
  • Newer Model is Panasonic LZ30
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic LZ20 Overview

Following is a in-depth overview of the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic LZ20, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) and the LZ20 (16MP) is relatively close and both cameras offer the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SZ-31MR iHS was launched 5 months earlier than the LZ20 so they are of a similar generation. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS being a Compact camera and the Panasonic LZ20 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go right into a thorough comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the SZ-31MR iHS grades versus the LZ20 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Panasonic LZ20

		

		

			
 SZ-31MR iHS LZ20 
Screen resolution920k460kClearer screen (+460k dot)
Touch friendly screen  Quickly navigate
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ20 over the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

		

		

			
 LZ20 SZ-31MR iHS 
		

	

	
	

		

		
Common features in the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Panasonic LZ20

		

		

			
 SZ-31MR iHS LZ20 
ReleasedFebruary 2012July 2012Same generation
Manual focus  Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Selfie screen  Neither has selfie screen
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic LZ20 Physical Comparison

		

		

			
If you're looking to carry around your camera, you will want to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS has outer dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") and a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Panasonic LZ20 has dimensions of 120mm x 76mm x 80mm (4.7" x 3.0" x 3.1") and a weight of 499 grams (1.10 lbs).
Examine the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic LZ20 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilising at the time. Below is a front view size comparison of the SZ-31MR iHS and the LZ20.
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic LZ20 size comparison
Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ-31MR iHS and LZ20 is 89 and 71 respectively.
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic LZ20 top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic LZ20 Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
Quite often, it can be hard to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes merely by looking through specs. The picture below might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-31MR iHS and LZ20.
All in all, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the same megapixels so you should expect comparable quality of images though you may want to factor the release date  of the cameras into account.
	
			Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic LZ20 sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic LZ20 Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic LZ20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
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Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Portrait photography features
Panasonic LZ20 Portrait photography features
34
 good  resolution (16 megapixels)
 includes face detection focusing
 manual focus not available
 manual mode not possible
 can't use external flash
 sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
 lack of RAW files
36
 sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
 supports face detection autofocus
 no manual focus
 no external flash support
 sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
 lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Street photography highlights
Panasonic LZ20 Street photography highlights
64
 has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
 boasts focus via touch
 lighter than average in class (226 grams)
 no articulating screen
 sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
 lack of RAW files
45
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 screen is fixed
 sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
 lack of RAW format
 heavier than others (499g)
Photography Glossary
Sports Comparison
Sports photography with Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
Sports photography with Panasonic LZ20
44
 great zoom range (25-600mm  24.0 x zoom)
 has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
 good  resolution (16 megapixels)
 includes tracking autofocus
 lack of shutter priority mode
 sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
 low battery pack (200 CIPA)
 lack of phase detect AF
47
 amazing zoom range (25-525mm  21.0 x zoom)
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
 supports tracking autofocus
 great battery pack (380 per charge)
 max fps low (1.0 frames per second)
 lack of shutter priority mode
 sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
 lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison
Travel photography with Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
Travel photography with Panasonic LZ20
67
 lighter than average in class (226 grams)
 boasts focus via touch
 good  resolution (16MP)
 built-in flash
 decently wide (25mm)
 great reach (600mm)
 does not have Time Lapse mode
 low battery pack (200 shots)
 does not have selfie friendly display
 slow max aperture (f3.0)
58
 great battery pack (380 CIPA)
 sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
 flash built-in
 reasonably wide (25mm)
 long zoom (525mm)
 lack of Time Lapse recording
 heavier than others (499g)
 screen isn't selfie friendly
 somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Landscape photography info
Panasonic LZ20 Landscape photography info
41
 decently wide (25mm)
 nice screen size (3 inches)
 has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
 good  resolution (16 megapixels)
 manual focus not available
 can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
 slow max aperture (f3.0)
 manual mode not possible
 sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
 lack of RAW files
 low battery pack (200 shots)
 does not have Time Lapse mode
45
 reasonably wide (25mm)
 screen is a decent size (3")
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
 great battery pack (380 per charge)
 no manual focus
 cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
 somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
 sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
 lack of RAW format
 lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison
 Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Vlogging camera
 Panasonic LZ20 as a Vlogging camera
35
 decently wide (25mm)
 screen is touchscreen
 has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
 includes face detection focusing
 great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
 lighter than average in class (226g)
 slow max aperture (f3.0)
 does not have selfie friendly display
 does not have external mic port
25
 reasonably wide (25mm)
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 supports face detection autofocus
 somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
 screen isn't selfie friendly
 low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
 lack of external mic jack
 heavier than others (499 grams)
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic LZ20 Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Panasonic LZ20
 Olympus SZ-31MR iHSPanasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2012-02-08 2012-07-18
Body design Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by Dual TruePic V -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
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 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter    
Aspect ratio 4:3 and  16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 1600
Maximum enhanced ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW data    
Autofocusing
Manual focus    
AF touch    
Continuous AF    
AF single    
AF tracking    
Selective AF    
Center weighted AF    
AF multi area    
AF live view    
Face detection AF    
Contract detection AF    
Phase detection AF    
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-525mm (21.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.1-5.8
Macro focus distance 1cm 2cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 920 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch display    
Screen technology Hypercrystal III TFT Color LCD TFT Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 15 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1700 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 7.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Manually set exposure    
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB    
Image stabilization    
Built-in flash    
Flash range 9.30 m 6.80 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe    
AE bracketing    
White balance bracketing    
Exposure
Multisegment metering    
Average metering    
Spot metering    
Partial metering    
AF area metering    
Center weighted metering    
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1280 x 720p ( 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
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 proof    
Dust proof    
Shock proof    
Crush proof    
Freeze proof    
Weight 226 grams (0.50 lbs) 499 grams (1.10 lbs)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 120 x 76 x 80mm (4.7" x 3.0" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 200 photographs 380 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model 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 Single Single
Launch cost $0 $250