Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Pentax Q7

The following is a comprehensive review of the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Pentax Q7, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Olympus and Pentax. There exists a significant gap between the sensor resolutions of the SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) and Q7 (12MP) and the SZ-31MR iHS (1/2.3") and Q7 (1/1.7") boast different sensor measurements.

Photography Glossary

The SZ-31MR iHS was introduced 18 months earlier than the Q7 which makes them a generation away from one another. The two cameras feature different body design with the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q7 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving into a full comparison, here is a simple overview of how the SZ-31MR iHS matches up against the Q7 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Pentax Q7. The whole galleries are viewable at Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Gallery and Pentax Q7 Gallery.

For anyone who is planning to travel with your camera, you have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS comes with outer 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) while the Pentax Q7 has dimensions of 102mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Pentax Q7 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you select at that time. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the SZ-31MR iHS vs the Q7.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-31MR iHS and Q7 is 89 and 92 respectively.

Quite often, it's difficult to picture the gap between sensor dimensions only by checking technical specs. The picture underneath will help offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-31MR iHS and Q7.

As you can tell, both cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The SZ-31MR iHS using its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF tougher and the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS will give you extra detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop shots way more aggressively. The more aged SZ-31MR iHS is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.