Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic ZS50
89 Imaging
39 Features
47 Overall
42


90 Imaging
37 Features
57 Overall
45
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic ZS50 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic ZS50 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus SZ-31MR iHS & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50. The complete galleries are available at Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Gallery & Panasonic ZS50 Gallery.
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 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2015 | ![]() | February 2012 | Newer by 35 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial accurate focusing | ||
Display resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 920k | Crisper display (+120k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Panasonic ZS50
SZ-31MR iHS | ZS50 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Panasonic ZS50 Specifications
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS | Panasonic 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 |