Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Pentax Q-S1

Following is a complete analysis of the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Pentax Q-S1, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Olympus and Pentax. There is a substantial difference between the sensor resolutions of the SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) and Q-S1 (12MP) and the SZ-31MR iHS (1/2.3") and Q-S1 (1/1.7") feature different sensor measurements.

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The SZ-31MR iHS was manufactured 3 years prior to the Q-S1 which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go in to a detailed comparison, below is a short highlight of how the SZ-31MR iHS grades against the Q-S1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus SZ-31MR iHS & Pentax Q-S1. The entire galleries are viewable at Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Gallery & Pentax Q-S1 Gallery.

If you're intending to carry around your camera often, you're going to have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS enjoys external measurements 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 Q-S1 has dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Check out the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Pentax Q-S1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilising at that moment. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the SZ-31MR iHS against the Q-S1.

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-31MR iHS and Q-S1 is 89 and 92 respectively.

Oftentimes, it is difficult to visualize the difference between sensor sizes merely by checking technical specs. The image underneath might offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-31MR iHS and Q-S1.

As you can tell, each of these cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The SZ-31MR iHS because of its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field more challenging and the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS will give more detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop images much more aggressively. The more aged SZ-31MR iHS is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.