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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Ricoh GR II

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
47
Overall
42
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS front
 
Ricoh GR II front
Portability
89
Imaging
59
Features
55
Overall
57

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Ricoh GR II 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
  • Introduced February 2012
Ricoh GR II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28mm (F2.8-16.0) lens
  • 251g - 117 x 63 x 35mm
  • Released June 2015
  • Old Model is Ricoh GR
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Ricoh GR II Overview

Following is a in-depth overview of the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Ricoh GR II, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Large Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Ricoh. The image resolution of the SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) and the GR II (16MP) is very well matched but the SZ-31MR iHS (1/2.3") and GR II (APS-C) boast totally different sensor sizes.

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The SZ-31MR iHS was unveiled 4 years before the GR II which is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS being a Compact camera and the Ricoh GR II being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before going straight to a in depth comparison, here is a concise summation of how the SZ-31MR iHS grades against the GR II when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Ricoh GR II

 SZ-31MR iHS GR II 
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Ricoh GR II over the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 GR II SZ-31MR iHS 
ReleasedJune 2015February 2012More modern by 40 months
Focus manually Very precise focus
Display resolution1230k920kClearer display (+310k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Ricoh GR II

 SZ-31MR iHS GR II 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display dimensions
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Ricoh GR II Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera often, you will need to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS provides physical measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") having a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Ricoh GR II has sizing of 117mm x 63mm x 35mm (4.6" x 2.5" x 1.4") along with a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs).

Compare the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Ricoh GR II in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are employing at that moment. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the SZ-31MR iHS versus the GR II.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Ricoh GR II size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-31MR iHS and GR II is 89 and 89 respectively.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Ricoh GR II top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Ricoh GR II Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very difficult to see the gap between sensor sizes only by looking at specifications. The image below will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-31MR iHS and GR II.

Plainly, each of these cameras have the same megapixel count but not the same sensor sizes. The SZ-31MR iHS contains the tinier sensor which will make achieving shallow DOF harder. The more aged SZ-31MR iHS is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Ricoh GR II sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Ricoh GR II Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Ricoh GR II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
Portrait photography with Ricoh GR II
34
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
comes with face detection focus
manual focus not available
no manual mode
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
75
manual focus
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Street photography camera
Ricoh GR II as a Street photography camera
64
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
boasts touch to focus
lighter than competition in class (226g)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
74
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (251g)
great high ISO (25,600)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Sports photography camera
Ricoh GR II as a Sports photography camera
44
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (200 shots)
does not have phase detect auto focus
50
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
can't change focal length (28mm)
continuous shooting slow (4.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Travel photography factors
Ricoh GR II Travel photography factors
67
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
boasts touch to focus
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
terrible battery power (200 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.0)
67
lighter than competition in class (251g)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
Landscape photography with Ricoh GR II
41
rather wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
no manual mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
terrible battery power (200 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse recording
59
manual focus
pretty good screen size (3")
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
great high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (28mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Vlogging camera
Ricoh GR II as a Vlogging camera
35
rather wide (25mm)
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of external mic jack
32
comes with face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (251 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have external mic support
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Ricoh GR II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Ricoh GR II
 Olympus SZ-31MR iHSRicoh GR II
General Information
Brand Olympus Ricoh
Model type Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Ricoh GR II
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Large Sensor Compact
Introduced 2012-02-08 2015-06-17
Physical type Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Dual TruePic V GR Engine V
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 6400 25600
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 28mm (1x)
Max aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/2.8-16.0
Macro focusing distance 1cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 920 thousand dots 1,230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology Hypercrystal III TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (optional)
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 300s
Highest shutter speed 1/1700s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames/s 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 9.30 m 3.00 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, Flash On, Flash Synchro., Manual Flash, Red-Eye Flash Auto, Red-Eye Flash On, Red-Eye Flash Synchro, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance 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) 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p, 24p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226 gr (0.50 lbs) 251 gr (0.55 lbs)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 117 x 63 x 35mm (4.6" x 2.5" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 80
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.7
DXO Low light rating not tested 1078
Other
Battery life 200 photos 320 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B DB-65
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $0 $599