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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic ZS15

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
47
Overall
42
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic ZS15 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
  • Announced February 2012
Panasonic ZS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 208g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Announced June 2012
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • Updated by Panasonic ZS20
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic ZS15 Overview

Let's take a more detailed look at the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic ZS15, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a substantial gap between the resolutions of the SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) and ZS15 (12MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ-31MR iHS was announced 4 months prior to the ZS15 which means that they are of a similar age. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a complete comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the SZ-31MR iHS scores against the ZS15 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Panasonic ZS15

 SZ-31MR iHS ZS15 
Screen resolution920k460kSharper screen (+460k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 ZS15 SZ-31MR iHS 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Panasonic ZS15

 SZ-31MR iHS ZS15 
AnnouncedFebruary 2012June 2012Similar age
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic ZS15 Physical Comparison

If you are going to travel with your camera regularly, you will need to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS has outside dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") and a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS15 has measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") along with a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic ZS15 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the SZ-31MR iHS against the ZS15.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic ZS15 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-31MR iHS and ZS15 is 89 and 92 respectively.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic ZS15 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic ZS15 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be difficult to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by checking technical specs. The picture below will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-31MR iHS and ZS15.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS to give more detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs a little more aggressively.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic ZS15 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS15
34
resolution is good (16MP)
features face detect autofocus
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
21
focusing manually not possible
no external flash support
low resolution (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS15 as a Street photography camera
64
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports focus by touch
lighter than competition in class (226g)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (208g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sports photography features
Panasonic ZS15 Sports photography features
44
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (200 CIPA)
has no phase detect autofocus
36
great zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking focus
slow fps (2.0 fps)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery (260 shots)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS15
67
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
supports focus by touch
resolution is good (16MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
terrible battery power (200 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
61
lighter than competition in class (208g)
built-in flash
decently wide (24mm)
great reach (384mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
bad battery (260 shots)
low resolution (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Landscape photography factors
Panasonic ZS15 Landscape photography factors
41
decently wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
terrible battery power (200 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse recording
37
decently wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
bad battery (260 shots)
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS15
35
decently wide (25mm)
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have mic socket
33
decently wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (208 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
lack of mic socket
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic ZS15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Panasonic ZS15
 Olympus SZ-31MR iHSPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
Alternative name - Lumix DMC-TZ25
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2012-02-08 2012-06-29
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Dual TruePic V -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 23
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 920k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology Hypercrystal III TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 15s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1700s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 9.30 m 6.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226 gr (0.50 lbs) 208 gr (0.46 lbs)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 200 photographs 260 photographs
Type 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 feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail price $0 $279