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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic ZS50

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
47
Overall
42
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 front
Portability
90
Imaging
37
Features
57
Overall
45

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic ZS50 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 ZS50
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 243g - 111 x 65 x 34mm
  • Released January 2015
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ70
  • Replaced the Panasonic ZS45
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS60
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic ZS50 Overview

The following is a extended review of the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS versus Panasonic ZS50, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. There is a considerable difference between the resolutions of the SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) and ZS50 (12MP) but they possess the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SZ-31MR iHS was launched 3 years prior to the ZS50 which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a detailed comparison, below is a concise overview of how the SZ-31MR iHS scores versus the ZS50 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Panasonic ZS50

 SZ-31MR iHS ZS50 
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS50 over the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 ZS50 SZ-31MR iHS 
ReleasedJanuary 2015February 2012Newer by 35 months
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Display resolution1040k920kCrisper display (+120k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Panasonic ZS50

 SZ-31MR iHS ZS50 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic ZS50 Physical Comparison

If you're going to travel with your camera regularly, you will want to consider its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS provides outer 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 ZS50 has specifications of 111mm x 65mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") with a weight of 243 grams (0.54 lbs).

Check out the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS versus Panasonic ZS50 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you choose at that time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the SZ-31MR iHS versus the ZS50.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic ZS50 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-31MR iHS and ZS50 is 89 and 90 respectively.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic ZS50 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic ZS50 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its difficult to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions only by looking at specs. The pic below will offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-31MR iHS and ZS50.

All in all, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You can anticipate the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS to resolve more detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images a little more aggressively. The more aged SZ-31MR iHS is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic ZS50 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic ZS50 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic ZS50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS50 as a Portrait photography camera
34
decent megapixels (16MP)
supports face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
42
you can focus manually
provides face detect focus
saves RAW formats
external flash not possible
low resolution (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Street photography factors
Panasonic ZS50 Street photography factors
64
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers focus by touch
lighter than competition (226g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
68
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
lighter than competitors in class (243 grams)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sports photography info
Panasonic ZS50 Sports photography info
44
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16MP)
supports tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (200 shots)
has no phase detect autofocus
43
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking focus
low resolution (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Travel photography information
Panasonic ZS50 Travel photography information
67
lighter than competition (226 grams)
offers focus by touch
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
missing Timelapse recording
terrible battery power (200 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.0)
66
lighter than competitors in class (243g)
flash built-in
quite wide (24mm)
great reach (720mm)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS50 as a Landscape photography camera
41
pretty wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
no manual control
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
terrible battery power (200 shots)
missing Timelapse recording
51
you can focus manually
quite wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
low resolution (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Vlogging advice
Panasonic ZS50 Vlogging advice
35
pretty wide (25mm)
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (226g)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing microphone support
34
quite wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors in class (243 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
does not have microphone support
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic ZS50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Panasonic ZS50
 Olympus SZ-31MR iHSPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50
Also called as - Lumix DMC-TZ70
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2012-02-08 2015-01-06
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 measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 23
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing range 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 920 thousand dots 1,040 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech Hypercrystal III TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,166 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.46x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1700 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 9.30 m 6.40 m
Flash modes 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 exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226 gr (0.50 pounds) 243 gr (0.54 pounds)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 111 x 65 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 44
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 20.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 138
Other
Battery life 200 photographs 300 photographs
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 feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $0 $350