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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Pentax RS1500

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
47
Overall
42
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS front
 
Pentax Optio RS1500 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
30
Overall
34

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Pentax RS1500 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
  • Revealed February 2012
Pentax RS1500
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-110mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Released March 2011
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Pentax RS1500 Overview

Here is a in-depth comparison of the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Pentax RS1500, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) and the RS1500 (14MP) is very close and they enjoy the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SZ-31MR iHS was introduced 11 months later than the RS1500 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a brief summary of how the SZ-31MR iHS matches up vs the RS1500 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Pentax RS1500

 SZ-31MR iHS RS1500 
ReleasedFebruary 2012March 2011Fresher by 11 months
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kCrisper display (+690k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 RS1500 SZ-31MR iHS 
Focus manually More exact focus

Common features in the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Pentax RS1500

 SZ-31MR iHS RS1500 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Pentax RS1500 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry your camera often, you're going to have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS features outside measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") having a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Pentax RS1500 has dimensions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Look at the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Pentax RS1500 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are working with at that time. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the SZ-31MR iHS against the RS1500.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Pentax RS1500 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-31MR iHS and RS1500 is 89 and 93 respectively.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Pentax RS1500 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Pentax RS1500 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be difficult to visualise the difference in sensor sizing simply by looking through technical specs. The photograph here might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-31MR iHS and RS1500.

As you can tell, each of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS to provide you with extra detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will let you crop images somewhat more aggressively. The newer SZ-31MR iHS is going to have a benefit in sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Pentax RS1500 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax RS1500 as a Portrait photography camera
34
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
features face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
35
manual focus
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Street photography advice
Pentax RS1500 Street photography advice
64
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
boasts touch to focus
lighter than competition (226 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
54
environment proof
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sports photography details
Pentax RS1500 Sports photography details
44
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery (200 CIPA)
lacks phase detect AF
37
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment proof
max fps very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Travel photography features
Pentax RS1500 Travel photography features
67
lighter than competition (226g)
boasts touch to focus
MP count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
really wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
not so great battery (200 CIPA)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
67
environment proof
megapixel count decent (14MP)
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Landscape photography advice
Pentax RS1500 Landscape photography advice
41
really wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
not so great battery (200 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
40
manual focus
really wide (28mm)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
environment proof
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inches)
manual mode not possible
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Vlogging highlights
Pentax RS1500 Vlogging highlights
35
really wide (25mm)
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (226 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external mic support
25
really wide (28mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone port
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Pentax RS1500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Pentax RS1500
 Olympus SZ-31MR iHSPentax Optio RS1500
General Information
Make Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Pentax Optio RS1500
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2012-02-08 2011-03-16
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Dual TruePic V -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 28-110mm (3.9x)
Max aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing range 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 920k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech Hypercrystal III TFT Color LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1700 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shooting speed 7.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 9.30 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226 grams (0.50 lbs) 157 grams (0.35 lbs)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 200 pictures 260 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $0 $150