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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Pentax K-5

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
47
Overall
42
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS front
 
Pentax K-5 front
Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Pentax K-5 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • 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
Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800 (Expand to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Launched December 2010
  • Earlier Model is Pentax K-7
  • Renewed by Pentax K-5 IIs
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Pentax K-5 Overview

Below, we will be analyzing the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS versus Pentax K-5, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by brands Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) and the K-5 (16MP) is relatively similar but the SZ-31MR iHS (1/2.3") and K-5 (APS-C) use totally different sensor measurements.

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The SZ-31MR iHS was announced 14 months later than the K-5 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. The two cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving through a complete comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the SZ-31MR iHS scores against the K-5 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Pentax K-5

 SZ-31MR iHS K-5 
LaunchedFebruary 2012December 2010More recent by 14 months
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 K-5 SZ-31MR iHS 
Focus manually More precise focus
Screen resolution921k920kSharper screen (+1k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Pentax K-5

 SZ-31MR iHS K-5 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Pentax K-5 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to lug around your camera frequently, you are going to need to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS offers physical measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Pentax K-5 has proportions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") along with a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs).

Examine the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS versus Pentax K-5 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you select at the time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the SZ-31MR iHS against the K-5.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Pentax K-5 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-31MR iHS and K-5 is 89 and 60 respectively.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Pentax K-5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Pentax K-5 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is difficult to see the difference between sensor measurements just by reading specs. The visual here will help give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-31MR iHS and K-5.

All in all, both of these cameras posses the exact same megapixel count albeit not the same sensor measurements. The SZ-31MR iHS offers the tinier sensor which is going to make getting shallower DOF more difficult. The fresher SZ-31MR iHS will have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Pentax K-5 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Pentax K-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Pentax K-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-5 Portrait photography advice
34
megapixel count decent (16MP)
features face detect focusing
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
73
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Street photography factors
Pentax K-5 Street photography factors
64
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has touch focus
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
screen is fixed
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sports photography advice
Pentax K-5 Sports photography advice
44
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
features tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
low battery power (200 shots)
has no phase detect AF
78
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Travel photography features
Pentax K-5 Travel photography features
67
lighter than competition in class (226g)
has touch focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
low battery power (200 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
65
environment sealing
megapixel count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-5 as a Landscape photography camera
41
rather wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
low battery power (200 per charge)
does not have Timelapse recording
78
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Vlogging factors
Pentax K-5 Vlogging factors
35
rather wide (25mm)
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (226g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have microphone port
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes microphone jack
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Pentax K-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Pentax K-5
 Olympus SZ-31MR iHSPentax K-5
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Pentax K-5
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Announced 2012-02-08 2010-12-18
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Dual TruePic V Prime II
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO - 51200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.0-6.9 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Available lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 920k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech Hypercrystal III TFT Color LCD TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1700s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 7.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 9.30 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226 grams (0.50 lbs) 740 grams (1.63 lbs)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 82
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.1
DXO Low light score not tested 1162
Other
Battery life 200 images 980 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Price at release $0 $800