Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Pentax Optio H90: A Hands-On Comparison for the Enthusiast Eye

Choosing a compact camera often feels like walking a fine line between convenience, performance, and versatility. Two interesting contenders from the early 2010s that occasionally pop up on the used market are the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and the Pentax Optio H90. Though neither camera hails from today’s cutting edge, their feature sets reveal very different philosophies and capabilities tailored toward casual shooters and enthusiasts alike.

Having spent considerable hands-on time testing both units extensively across a range of photographic scenarios, I’m here to distill their real-world strengths and limitations. Whether you’re curious about portrait rendering, wildlife speed, or just want a thoughtful rundown for general-purpose photography, this comparison serves as a comprehensive guide to help you make an informed decision.

Getting Acquainted: Size, Handling, and Ergonomics

I always start with the physical interaction - size and ergonomics can make or break the shooting experience, especially in compact cameras where real estate is limited. The Pentax H90 is notably more petite and lighter, measuring 101 x 65 x 28 mm and weighing only 153 grams compared to Olympus’s chunkier 106 x 69 x 40 mm and 226 grams. You can see the side-by-side difference clearly here:

Pentax’s smaller footprint contributes to excellent portability for street photographers or travelers who prize discretion over heft. However, the Olympus offers a slightly more substantial grip, giving better stability for varied shooting conditions. The rubberized surfaces feel sturdier in the hand, and though bulkier, it never became cumbersome during my day-long shooting tests.

Looking from above reveals how control layouts diverge in design:

The SZ-31MR boasts a touch-sensitive rear screen with a more modern layout, fostering faster adjustments on the fly, while the H90 relies on traditional buttons. I appreciate Olympus’s touchscreen especially when framing shots quickly or setting focus points. It adds an intuitive layer that the H90’s button navigation can’t quite match for speed. Long story short, if you prefer tactile feedback and minimal fuss, Pentax scores some points; if you value interface fluidity and ergonomics for longer shoots, Olympus edges ahead.

Peering Under the Hood: Sensor Tech and Image Quality

Now to the heart of the matter - the sensor. Both cameras sport a 1/2.3" sensor, a standard size in their compact category prone to limiting image quality under certain conditions. But the Olympus’s 16MP BSI-CMOS sensor paired with a Dual TruePic V processor generally produces crisper results with better noise control compared to Pentax’s 12MP CCD sensor driven by the older Prime processor.

Check out their sensor sizes side-by-side for reference:

In real-world daylight shooting, Olympus delivers richer detail and truer colors, which becomes especially evident when cropping or making large prints. Pentax’s images sometimes feel softer and less vibrant, noticeable in texture-rich subjects like foliage or fabric.

However, the BSI (backside-illuminated) design of Olympus’s sensor lends it superior sensitivity, enabling cleaner high ISO shots - something I verified using escalating ISO test shots - where Olympus’s noise floor remains more controlled up to ISO 1600, whereas the Pentax images become markedly grainier.

On the downside, neither camera offers RAW support, limiting post-processing latitude. This is a sticking point for professionals or ambitious hobbyists who want full control. You’re left working strictly with compressed JPEG outputs, emphasizing the need to get exposure and color right in-camera.

Glass Matters: Lens Reach, Aperture, and Macro Sweet Spots

Olympus’s SZ-31MR’s claim to fame is its monumental 25-600 mm (24×) zoom range, while Pentax’s H90 sports a more modest 28-140 mm (5×) zoom - quite a difference in versatility for different photographic genres.

This disparity influences frame-filling capability significantly, particularly in wildlife and sports photography. Olympus’s telephoto reach offered me outstanding reach to fill the frame from a distance without sacrificing autofocus agility (more on that shortly).

On aperture, Olympus ranges from F3.0 at the wide end to F6.9 telephoto, contrasted by Pentax’s F3.5 to F5.9 range. Both cameras have relatively slow max apertures at tele, which is expected in compact zoom cameras but means low light telephoto work requires careful ISO management.

Regarding close-up and macro shots, Olympus impressively focuses down to 1 cm, enabling extremely close focusing for intricate detail shots. Pentax requires a more conservative 10 cm minimum focusing distance, which means Olympus has a distinct advantage for macro enthusiasts who want tight framing with natural bokeh.

Viewing Your Frame: LCD and Viewfinders

Neither camera includes a traditional viewfinder, so reliance on LCD displays is 100%. The Olympus SZ-31MR features a 3.0-inch fixed HyperCrystal III TFT touchscreen with 920k dots, a marked improvement over Pentax’s 2.7-inch fixed LCD with only 230k dots and no touch capabilities.

Examining the screens up close:

The brighter, higher-resolution Olympus screen dramatically improves composition, playback review, and navigating menus outdoors - Pentax’s dimmer display becomes tough to see in bright daylight. Touchscreen responsiveness, though not as advanced as today’s standards, remains smooth and useful on the Olympus, especially for tapping focus.

In low light, the Olympus screen remains reasonably visible, helping with critical framing and focus checking during night or indoor shoots. Pentax’s smaller, lower-res display can feel limiting, especially for visually demanding tasks like macro work.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Catching the Moment

When I tested both cameras through practical AF challenges, Olympus’s SZ-31MR consistently delivered faster autofocus and higher burst shooting at 7 fps, versus Pentax’s sluggish 1 fps frame rate. That difference is not trivial when tracking unpredictable subjects like kids, wildlife, or sports players.

Both cameras use contrast-detection autofocus - slow relative to phase-detection systems - but Olympus’s system includes face detection (and limited eye detection) improving tracking accuracy for portraits and casual subjects. Pentax lacks any face detection, meaning your framing and focus fine-tuning falls entirely on your skills.

While neither camera excels in professional sports photography, Olympus’s superior burst rate and autofocus responsiveness make it the better tool for fleeting moments. Pentax’s single-shot approach might frustrate sports or wildlife shooters who need rapid focus and continuous tracking.

Shooting Across Genres: Which Camera Shines Where?

Portrait Photography

Olympus pulls ahead here - not only due to face detection AF, but also its longer zoom and tighter macro capabilities help capture flattering skin details and smooth bokeh backgrounds when shooting portraits from a distance.

Pentax’s softer lens and CCD sensor sometimes deliver less sharp skin texture and less pleasing bokeh. Neither can rival larger sensors for professional portraits, but Olympus’s more advanced focus aids do provide a noticeable ease-of-use benefit.

Landscape Photography

Landscape enthusiasts typically prize resolution, dynamic range, and reliability outdoors. Despite both cameras sporting similar sensor sizes, Olympus’s BSI CMOS sensor and processor combo yield better dynamic range and noise performance - important when pulling details from shadows or highlights.

Pentax’s marginally wider aperture at telephoto edge doesn’t compensate for its noisier sensor in tricky light paths. Both cameras lack weather sealing, so plan ahead for wet conditions.

Wildlife Photography

Olympus’s telephoto reach (600 mm equivalent) is a tremendous advantage when you need distance without lugging big glass. It’s complemented well by the 7 fps burst for catching quick wildlife gestures.

Pentax’s limited 140 mm zoom hamstrings long-distance reach, and slower shooting speed further limits capturing action.

Sports Photography

Again, Olympus leads with faster frame rates and face-focused AF. The SZ-31MR’s larger file size and improved sensor give more satisfying shots of fast-moving subjects. Pentax’s 1 fps continuous shooting feels arduous by comparison.

Street Photography

Pentax’s smaller size and weight make it a more discreet walk-around camera. Its subtle design and button-based controls mean less fuss.

Olympus, though larger, offers better image quality and faster responsiveness, which can capture fleeting street moments more reliably. If you prioritize discretion, Pentax wins. For versatility and image quality, Olympus.

Macro Photography

Olympus’s 1 cm focusing distance is impressive for a compact. It allows nearly life-size framing of flowers or textures, delivering sharp images with pleasing bokeh. Pentax’s 10 cm minimum focus reduces composition flexibility here.

Night and Astro Photography

Neither camera is ideal due to sensor size and limited ISO control. But Olympus’s BSI sensor certainly performs better under dim lighting - cleaner high-ISO images, less color noise.

Both cameras have shutter speed limits around 1/4 sec max in lowest shutter setting, insufficient for deep-sky astrophotography but okay for occasional nightscapes or long exposure.

Video Capabilities

Olympus offers Full HD 1080p video at 30 fps in H.264, superior to Pentax’s 720p capped at 30 fps in Motion JPEG. No external mic inputs or headphone outputs exist on either, limiting audio recording quality and monitoring options.

Olympus’s optical image stabilization helps smooth handheld footage better as well.

Travel Photography

Portability is priceless for travelers. Pentax’s smaller size and lighter weight score strong points here, though Olympus offers unmatched zoom reach and image quality versatility. Battery life favors neither strongly; Olympus rates around 200 shots per charge, Pentax information unspecified but generally similar.

Professional Work

Both cameras fall short for professional assignments - no RAW support, limited manual controls, and no weather sealing. Olympus’s better image quality and faster shooting may find niche uses in casual work, but serious pros will need to look elsewhere.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Both the SZ-31MR and H90 are compact plastic-bodied cameras with no claims to weather sealing or ruggedness. Neither camera is freezeproof, crushproof, or shockproof.

In controlled indoor or fair weather outdoor settings, their builds feel adequate but lightweight - nothing more. Use care in dusty, wet, or harsh environments.

Battery Life and Storage

Olympus uses a rechargeable LI-50B battery rated about 200 shots per charge - a modest estimate for casual use.

Pentax employs the D-LI68 battery, though official life is unspecified. My testing suggests slightly fewer shots per charge than Olympus.

Both cameras use single SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (Pentax also offers internal storage), and neither supports extended battery grips or dual card setups.

Connectivity and Extras

Both cameras are Eye-Fi connected, allowing wireless image transfers if you use compatible SD cards - a fun extra but not standout.

Olympus outputs via HDMI, usable for direct playback on HDTVs, while Pentax lacks this, limiting video and photo viewing options off-camera.

Neither offers Bluetooth or NFC.

Cost and Value Considerations

Looking at price-to-performance, Olympus SZ-31MR iHS offers more contemporary specs, better optics, and more versatility, typically priced higher but justified when factoring zoom range, image quality, and video capability.

The Pentax Optio H90, usually found at budget-friendly prices, appeals to strictly casual photographers wanting a lightweight, easy-to-use compact with decent general-purpose performance.

Verdict at a Glance: Scores Summary

This chart summarizes my comprehensive performance scoring from extended testing:

And here’s where each camera stands within key photography genres:

Sample Images to Compare Output Quality

Finally, a quick glance at sample images from both cameras side-by-side helps visualize what the specs translate into:

Olympus SZ 31MR iHS front Olympus SZ 31MR iHS screen back Pentax H90 front Pentax H90 screen back

Notice the improved detail retention and color vibrance in Olympus shots - especially in telephoto and low light conditions.

Final Thoughts: Which Camera Should You Pick?

If you want a zoom powerhouse with better image quality, faster autofocus, and Full HD video, the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS is the clear winner. It’s best suited for travelers, casual wildlife and sports enthusiasts, and those who value reach and responsiveness without the bulk of larger systems.

On the other hand, if your priorities are pocketable size, straightforward operation, and affordability, and you don’t chase extreme zoom or the sharpest images, the Pentax Optio H90 gives you an honest compact experience with respectable results.

Personally, I favor the Olympus for its versatility - the massive zoom range alone opens creative doors that Pentax can’t touch. But if ultimate portability and simplicity win your heart, Pentax is a solid, unpretentious companion.

Dear Olympus and Pentax, if you’re listening - please bring back these sweet compact designs updated with modern sensors, RAW support, and strong manual controls!

Whether you lean toward Olympus’s ambitiously zoomed SZ-31MR or Pentax’s sleek H90, I hope this detailed hands-on exploration aids your quest for the perfect compact companion. For enthusiasts on a budget or those prioritizing size, the Pentax will suit many nicely, but anyone craving image quality and flexibility should strongly consider the Olympus.

Happy shooting!