Clicky

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Pentax S1

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
47
Overall
42
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS front
 
Pentax Optio S1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Pentax S1 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
(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
  • Introduced February 2012
Pentax S1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Released March 2011
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Pentax S1 Overview

Here, we are looking at the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS versus Pentax S1, 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 S1 (14MP) is fairly well matched and both cameras boast the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

The SZ-31MR iHS was launched 12 months later than the S1 and they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple view of how the SZ-31MR iHS matches up versus the S1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Pentax S1

 SZ-31MR iHS S1 
ReleasedFebruary 2012March 2011More recent by 12 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kSharper display (+690k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 S1 SZ-31MR iHS 
Manual focus More accurate focusing

Common features in the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Pentax S1

 SZ-31MR iHS S1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Pentax S1 Physical Comparison

When you are going to lug around your camera often, you're going to have to think about its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS has physical dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Pentax S1 has specifications of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Check the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS versus Pentax S1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have attached at that time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the SZ-31MR iHS against the S1.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Pentax S1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-31MR iHS and S1 is 89 and 93 respectively.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Pentax S1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Pentax S1 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very difficult to picture the difference between sensor measurements simply by checking specifications. The graphic here should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-31MR iHS and S1.

To sum up, both of the cameras come with the identical sensor size but different MP. You can anticipate the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS to resolve extra detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The newer SZ-31MR iHS should have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Pentax S1 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Pentax S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Pentax S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
Portrait photography with Pentax S1
34
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has face detection focusing
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
35
you can focus manually
MP count good (14MP)
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Street photography highlights
Pentax S1 Street photography highlights
64
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers touch focus
lighter than others (226g)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
56
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Sports photography camera
Pentax S1 as a Sports photography camera
44
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
no shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (200 shots)
lack of phase detect AF
39
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (14MP)
offers tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
Travel photography with Pentax S1
67
lighter than others (226 grams)
offers touch focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
missing Time Lapse function
not so great battery pack (200 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.0)
64
MP count good (14MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
does not feature selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Landscape photography info
Pentax S1 Landscape photography info
41
rather wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not available
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
not so great battery pack (200 shots)
missing Time Lapse function
42
you can focus manually
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (14MP)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
lack of Time Lapse function
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Vlogging details
Pentax S1 Vlogging details
35
rather wide (25mm)
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others (226 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing external mic port
28
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not feature selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic port
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Pentax S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Pentax S1
 Olympus SZ-31MR iHSPentax Optio S1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Pentax Optio S1
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2012-02-08 2011-03-02
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Dual TruePic V -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 920k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology Hypercrystal III TFT Color LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1700s 1/1500s
Continuous shutter speed 7.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 9.30 m 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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
Mic 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 gr (0.50 pounds) 157 gr (0.35 pounds)
Physical 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 Overall 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 photographs 260 photographs
Battery form 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
Retail price $0 $174