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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic ZS40

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
47
Overall
42
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 front
Portability
90
Imaging
43
Features
58
Overall
49

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic ZS40 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
  • Released February 2012
Panasonic ZS40
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 240g - 111 x 64 x 34mm
  • Revealed January 2014
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ60
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS35
  • Refreshed by Panasonic ZS45
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic ZS40 Overview

Here, we are analyzing the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic ZS40, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) and the ZS40 (18MP) is fairly close and both cameras posses the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ-31MR iHS was brought out 23 months before the ZS40 making them a generation away from each other. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the SZ-31MR iHS scores against the ZS40 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Panasonic ZS40

 SZ-31MR iHS ZS40 
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 ZS40 SZ-31MR iHS 
RevealedJanuary 2014February 2012Newer by 23 months
Focus manually More precise focusing

Common features in the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Panasonic ZS40

 SZ-31MR iHS ZS40 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions
Display resolution920k920kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic ZS40 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to travel with your camera, you will need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS has exterior 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 ZS40 has measurements of 111mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs).

Check the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic ZS40 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the SZ-31MR iHS vs the ZS40.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic ZS40 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-31MR iHS and ZS40 is 89 and 90 respectively.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic ZS40 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic ZS40 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very hard to picture the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by researching a spec sheet. The picture underneath may offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-31MR iHS and ZS40.

Clearly, the two cameras come with the identical sensor size but different MP. You should anticipate the Panasonic ZS40 to result in extra detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The more aged SZ-31MR iHS will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic ZS40 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS40
34
decent MP (16MP)
provides face detect focusing
manual focus not available
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
52
focusing manually
good resolution (18 megapixels)
provides face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Street photography advice
Panasonic ZS40 Street photography advice
64
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers focus via touch
lighter than average in class (226 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
69
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competitors (240g)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sports photography advice
Panasonic ZS40 Sports photography advice
44
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (200 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
54
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18MP)
provides tracking autofocus
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Travel photography features
Panasonic ZS40 Travel photography features
67
lighter than average in class (226g)
offers focus via touch
decent MP (16MP)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
missing Time Lapse function
not so great battery pack (200 CIPA)
does not have selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
69
lighter than competitors (240 grams)
good resolution (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
quite wide (24mm)
very long reach (720mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Landscape photography features
Panasonic ZS40 Landscape photography features
41
really wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
no manual control
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
not so great battery pack (200 shots)
missing Time Lapse function
56
focusing manually
quite wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18 megapixels)
supports RAW formats
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Vlogging highlights
Panasonic ZS40 Vlogging highlights
35
really wide (25mm)
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (226 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
does not have selfie friendly screen
missing mic jack
34
quite wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors (240 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have external microphone jack
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic ZS40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Panasonic ZS40
 Olympus SZ-31MR iHSPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-TZ60
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2012-02-08 2014-01-06
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Dual TruePic V Venus Engine
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Max enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 23
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing distance 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 920 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech Hypercrystal III TFT Color LCD TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 200 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/1700s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 7.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 9.30 m 6.40 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
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226 gr (0.50 pounds) 240 gr (0.53 pounds)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 111 x 64 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3")
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 images 300 images
Battery format 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 shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail price $0 $450