Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Pentax K-50

Below, we will be contrasting the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Pentax K-50, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) and the K-50 (16MP) is pretty well matched but the SZ-31MR iHS (1/2.3") and K-50 (APS-C) enjoy different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The SZ-31MR iHS was launched 21 months prior to the K-50 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-50 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go in to a complete comparison, below is a simple summary of how the SZ-31MR iHS scores against the K-50 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

This is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus SZ-31MR iHS & Pentax K-50. The complete galleries are available at Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Gallery & Pentax K-50 Gallery.

If you are going to travel with your camera often, you're going to have to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS enjoys physical dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") along with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-50 has sizing of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

See the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Pentax K-50 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you use at the time. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the SZ-31MR iHS versus the K-50.

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-31MR iHS and K-50 is 89 and 63 respectively.

Oftentimes, it's difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions just by looking at specs. The pic below should give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-31MR iHS and K-50.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras posses the exact same resolution albeit different sensor dimensions. The SZ-31MR iHS comes with the tinier sensor which is going to make getting shallow DOF trickier. The more aged SZ-31MR iHS is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.