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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
47
Overall
42
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
46
Overall
41

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic ZS20 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
  • Introduced February 2012
Panasonic ZS20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 206g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Released April 2012
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS15
  • New Model is Panasonic ZS25
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

Lets look closer at the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS versus Panasonic ZS20, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) and the ZS20 (14MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras offer the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SZ-31MR iHS was unveiled 2 months before the ZS20 and they are both of a similar age. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting into a in depth comparison, here is a brief view of how the SZ-31MR iHS matches up against the ZS20 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Panasonic ZS20

 SZ-31MR iHS ZS20 
Display resolution920k460kCrisper display (+460k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 ZS20 SZ-31MR iHS 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Panasonic ZS20

 SZ-31MR iHS ZS20 
ReleasedFebruary 2012April 2012Same age
Manual focus No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to lug around your camera, you're going to have to consider its weight and volume. The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS has external dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") having a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS20 has sizing of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).

Check the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS versus Panasonic ZS20 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you use at that moment. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the SZ-31MR iHS against the ZS20.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-31MR iHS and ZS20 is 89 and 92 respectively.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to imagine the gap in sensor measurements merely by checking out specs. The photograph here will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-31MR iHS and ZS20.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You can anticipate the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS to show more detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images more aggressively.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Portrait photography advice
Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography advice
34
megapixel count good (16MP)
features face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
30
MP count good (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Street photography camera
64
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers focus via touch
lighter than competition in class (226g)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
65
image stabilization (Optical)
includes focus by touch
lighter than average (206 grams)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS20
44
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (200 CIPA)
no phase detect autofocus
47
great zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (260 shots)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Travel photography details
Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography details
67
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
offers focus via touch
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
missing Time Lapse function
terrible battery life (200 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.0)
68
lighter than average (206g)
includes focus by touch
MP count good (14MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
very long reach (480mm)
missing Time Lapse function
bad battery pack (260 per charge)
does not have a selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Landscape photography features
Panasonic ZS20 Landscape photography features
41
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not available
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
terrible battery life (200 per charge)
missing Time Lapse function
42
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
no manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
bad battery pack (260 per charge)
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Vlogging factors
Panasonic ZS20 Vlogging factors
35
fairly wide (25mm)
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
missing external mic support
34
fairly wide (24mm)
touch screen
image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average (206g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not have a selfie friendly display
missing mic support
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Panasonic ZS20
 Olympus SZ-31MR iHSPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-TZ30
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2012-02-08 2012-04-26
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Dual TruePic V -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
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 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 23
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing distance 1cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 920k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology Hypercrystal III TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 15s
Max shutter speed 1/1700s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 7.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 9.30 m 6.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported 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), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226 gr (0.50 pounds) 206 gr (0.45 pounds)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 photos 260 photos
Battery style 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
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail pricing $0 $349