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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic SZ1

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
47
Overall
42
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic SZ1 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 SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Launched January 2012
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic SZ1 Overview

Below, we are evaluating the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS versus Panasonic SZ1, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) and the SZ1 (16MP) is very well matched and they enjoy the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ-31MR iHS was introduced very close to the SZ1 and they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the SZ-31MR iHS grades against the SZ1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Panasonic SZ1

 SZ-31MR iHS SZ1 
Display resolution920k230kClearer display (+690k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 SZ1 SZ-31MR iHS 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Panasonic SZ1

 SZ-31MR iHS SZ1 
LaunchedFebruary 2012January 2012Similar generation
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic SZ1 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to travel with your camera frequently, you have to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS provides physical dimensions 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 SZ1 has measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs).

See the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS versus Panasonic SZ1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the SZ-31MR iHS compared to the SZ1.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic SZ1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-31MR iHS and SZ1 is 89 and 95 respectively.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic SZ1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic SZ1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to picture the gap between sensor dimensions just by reading through specs. The image underneath might give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-31MR iHS and SZ1.

All in all, both of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the exact same megapixels and you should expect similar quality of photos but you really should factor the production date of the products into consideration.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic SZ1 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Portrait photography details
Panasonic SZ1 Portrait photography details
34
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
comes with face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
34
decent megapixels (16MP)
comes with face detection focus
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Street photography details
Panasonic SZ1 Street photography details
64
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features focus via touch
lighter than competitors (226 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (131g)
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
Sports photography with Panasonic SZ1
44
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
comes with tracking focus
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery power (200 CIPA)
no phase detect autofocus
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic SZ1 as a Travel photography camera
67
lighter than competitors (226g)
features focus via touch
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
does not have Timelapse function
bad battery power (200 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
70
lighter than others in class (131g)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
does not feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic SZ1 as a Landscape photography camera
41
really wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
manual focus not available
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
bad battery power (200 per charge)
does not have Timelapse function
43
reasonably wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
no manual exposure
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Vlogging factors
Panasonic SZ1 Vlogging factors
35
really wide (25mm)
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors (226g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have microphone socket
32
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
lighter than others in class (131 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external microphone jack
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic SZ1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Panasonic SZ1
 Olympus SZ-31MR iHSPanasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2012-02-08 2012-01-09
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Dual TruePic V -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
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 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 23
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Max aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus distance 1cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 920k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech Hypercrystal III TFT Color LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 8s
Max shutter speed 1/1700s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 7.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 9.30 m 5.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone 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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226 grams (0.50 pounds) 131 grams (0.29 pounds)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
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 250 photographs
Battery format 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 recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $0 $179