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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic SZ8

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
47
Overall
42
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic SZ8 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 SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Released January 2014
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview

Let's look more in depth at the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS versus Panasonic SZ8, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) and the SZ8 (16MP) is fairly close and both cameras offer the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ-31MR iHS was brought out 23 months earlier than the SZ8 making them a generation apart from each other. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting straight to a in depth comparison, here is a short summation of how the SZ-31MR iHS scores versus the SZ8 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Panasonic SZ8

 SZ-31MR iHS SZ8 
Display resolution920k460kCrisper display (+460k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 SZ8 SZ-31MR iHS 
ReleasedJanuary 2014February 2012More recent by 23 months

Common features in the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Panasonic SZ8

 SZ-31MR iHS SZ8 
Manually focus No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display measurement
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to lug around your camera regularly, you will want to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS has outside 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 SZ8 has proportions of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS versus Panasonic SZ8 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the SZ-31MR iHS vs the SZ8.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic SZ8 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-31MR iHS and SZ8 is 89 and 94 respectively.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic SZ8 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's hard to picture the contrast in sensor measurements just by viewing specifications. The photograph below should give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-31MR iHS and SZ8.

Plainly, the two cameras feature the identical sensor size and the same exact MP therefore you can expect comparable quality of files however you would want to consider the age of the cameras into account. The older SZ-31MR iHS will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic SZ8 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Portrait photography features
Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography features
34
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
provides face detect focusing
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
35
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
provides face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
Street photography with Panasonic SZ8
64
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
boasts touch to focus
lighter than average (226g)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (159 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sports photography features
Panasonic SZ8 Sports photography features
44
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (200 shots)
has no phase detect AF
34
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
slow fps (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (200 shots)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Travel photography highlights
Panasonic SZ8 Travel photography highlights
67
lighter than average (226g)
boasts touch to focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
bad battery pack (200 per charge)
does not contain selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.0)
67
lighter than average (159 grams)
MP count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
long zoom (288mm)
no Time Lapse mode
terrible battery power (200 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Landscape photography information
Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography information
41
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
bad battery pack (200 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
42
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
terrible battery power (200 per charge)
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Vlogging info
Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging info
35
decently wide (25mm)
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average (226 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
does not contain selfie friendly display
doesn't have mic port
32
reasonably wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
lighter than average (159g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic support
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Panasonic SZ8
 Olympus SZ-31MR iHSPanasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2012-02-08 2014-01-06
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Dual TruePic V Venus Engine
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 surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 1600
Max boosted ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-288mm (12.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.1-6.3
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 920 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology Hypercrystal III TFT Color LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 8 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1700 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 9.30 m 5.20 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
AEB
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 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226g (0.50 pounds) 159g (0.35 pounds)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 images 200 images
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 recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $0 $275