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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Samsung HZ15W

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
47
Overall
42
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS front
 
Samsung HZ15W front
Portability
90
Imaging
35
Features
31
Overall
33

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Samsung HZ15W 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
  • Announced February 2012
Samsung HZ15W
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-240mm (F3.3-5.8) lens
  • 249g - 105 x 61 x 37mm
  • Revealed February 2009
  • Other Name is WB550
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Samsung HZ15W Overview

In this write-up, we are comparing the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Samsung HZ15W, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Samsung. There exists a sizable gap between the sensor resolutions of the SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) and HZ15W (12MP) but they come with the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SZ-31MR iHS was revealed 3 years after the HZ15W which is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting through a more detailed comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the SZ-31MR iHS scores against the HZ15W in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Samsung HZ15W

 SZ-31MR iHS HZ15W 
RevealedFebruary 2012February 2009More modern by 36 months
Display resolution920k460kSharper display (+460k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Samsung HZ15W over the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 HZ15W SZ-31MR iHS 
Manual focus Dial exact focus

Common features in the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Samsung HZ15W

 SZ-31MR iHS HZ15W 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Samsung HZ15W Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you need to factor 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") accompanied by a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Samsung HZ15W has sizing of 105mm x 61mm x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") and a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs).

Look at the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Samsung HZ15W in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the SZ-31MR iHS versus the HZ15W.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Samsung HZ15W size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-31MR iHS and HZ15W is 89 and 90 respectively.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Samsung HZ15W top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Samsung HZ15W Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is difficult to picture the difference between sensor sizes only by looking at specifications. The image below will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-31MR iHS and HZ15W.

Plainly, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You can anticipate the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS to give you extra detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images far more aggressively. The more recent SZ-31MR iHS provides an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Samsung HZ15W sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
Portrait photography with Samsung HZ15W
34
resolution is good (16MP)
provides face detection focusing
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
32
focusing manually
has face detect autofocus
no manual control
no external flash support
low resolution sensor (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Street photography camera
Samsung HZ15W as a Street photography camera
64
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers focus by touch
lighter than competition (226 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
53
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
more heavy than average in class (249 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Sports photography camera
Samsung HZ15W as a Sports photography camera
44
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
provides tracking autofocus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (200 CIPA)
lacks phase detect AF
27
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no shutter priority
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Travel photography factors
Samsung HZ15W Travel photography factors
67
lighter than competition (226g)
offers focus by touch
resolution is good (16MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
terrible battery power (200 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.0)
54
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
more heavy than average in class (249 grams)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Landscape photography details
Samsung HZ15W Landscape photography details
41
decently wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
terrible battery power (200 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
41
focusing manually
pretty wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
no manual control
low resolution sensor (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Vlogging info
Samsung HZ15W Vlogging info
35
decently wide (25mm)
touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (226g)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic support
29
pretty wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect autofocus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone jack
more heavy than average in class (249g)
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Samsung HZ15W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Samsung HZ15W
 Olympus SZ-31MR iHSSamsung HZ15W
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Samsung
Model type Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Samsung HZ15W
Also referred to as - WB550
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2012-02-08 2009-02-23
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Dual TruePic V -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-240mm (10.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.3-5.8
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 920 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech Hypercrystal III TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 16 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1700 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 7.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 9.30 m 4.70 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red eye fix
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
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 (60, 30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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) 249 gr (0.55 pounds)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 105 x 61 x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5")
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 photographs -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (10 sec, 2 sec, Double, Motion Timer)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $0 $330