Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Samsung HZ35W: A Deep Dive into Two Compact Superzooms

In the realm of compact superzoom cameras, the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Samsung HZ35W often invite comparisons. Both lenses-stabled, pocket-friendly zoomers came from their respective brands with the promise of reaching far-off subjects while maintaining portable handling. Today, after extensive hands-on testing and evaluation, I’m walking you through a granular comparison focusing on what really matters: image quality, operational finesse, and versatility across photographic disciplines.

With over 15 years behind the viewfinder and a room of cameras tested, it’s safe to say that not all superzooms are created equal. Let's unpack these two in detail.

Size, Ergonomics & Controls - How They Feel In Your Hands

Starting with physicality: both Olympus and Samsung opted for compact bodies aimed at travelers and casual photographers, but they offer very different handling experiences.

The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS measures roughly 106 x 69 x 40 mm and weighs 226 grams, while the Samsung HZ35W comes in at 107 x 61 x 28 mm weighing slightly heavier at 245 grams despite being visibly slimmer. The Olympus’s chunkier grip translates into a more secure hold, especially when zooming telephoto or shooting in dynamic scenarios. The Samsung opts for a sleeker silhouette, which might appeal to those prioritizing pocketability over bulk.

Ergonomically, the SZ-31MR’s buttons are well-spaced and intuitive, though its plastic construction feels mid-range at best. The Samsung, though slim, feels delicate but integrates manual focus, which I appreciated during macro and selective-focus shooting - a feature the Olympus omits completely.

If your photographic workflow encompasses shooting handheld for extended periods - say, street or travel photography - the Olympus is more comfortable. However, the Samsung's compactness might win appeal from enthusiasts who value lightweight gear to slip in their bag unnoticed.

Control Layout and User Interface - Streamlining the Shooting Experience

Moving on to control placement and interface logic - first impressions from the top-down reveal the difference in design philosophies.

Olympus favors a straightforward control scheme favoring beginners: a dedicated zoom rocker, a video record button, and an accessible shooting mode dial. Meanwhile, Samsung gives you exposure compensation and manual exposure modes, making it more appealing for those who want to dig into creative controls. However, these features come at the cost of a more complex menu system, noticeable on the Samsung’s lower-res LCD.

I personally tested both cameras across several shooting sessions. Even for someone fluent in camera menus, the lack of touchscreen sensitivity on the Samsung and no manual ISO on the Olympus were sticking points. Olympus does have touch autofocus, which slightly helps speed up the focusing process, but the menu navigation is clunkier.

Bottom line: For snapshooters and casual travel users, Olympus’s layout offers less friction. For those with some photographic know-how, Samsung’s manual controls provide more creative freedom.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality - The Crux of the Matter

Here’s where the cameras start to meaningfully diverge - and as always, sensor tech is central.

Both cameras utilize the 1/2.3-inch sensor size, measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm with an approximate sensor area of 28.07 mm². However, Olympus pairs a 16-megapixel BSI-CMOS sensor with their competent Dual TruePic V image processor, while Samsung features a 12-megapixel CCD sensor.

This difference is significant: the BSI-CMOS sensor in Olympus is better at gathering light compared to the CCD. The back-side illumination design improves low-light sensitivity and dynamic range - a crucial advantage in indoor, shadow-heavy scenes, or night photography.

Our controlled test in both studio and on-location revealed:

• Olympus produces crisper, more detailed images up to ISO 800, maintaining usable detail and color fidelity.
• Samsung’s CCD sensor, while delivering decent daylight images with smooth gradations, exhibits more noise beyond ISO 400 and struggles with color accuracy in complex lighting.
• Olympus’s sensor resolution advantage provides a subtle edge in cropping flexibility, especially for landscape photographers who prefer to retain detail in large prints.
• Both cameras apply an anti-aliasing filter, mitigating moiré but at the cost of slight softness - a standard compromise at this sensor size.

Overall image quality tips in Olympus’s favor, especially if you often shoot in varied or low-light conditions where noise performance and dynamic range count.

Display and Live View Experience - Evaluating the User Interface Window

We spend most of our framing time looking at the LCD - how cameras deliver this visual feedback is key.

Both Olympus and Samsung feature 3-inch fixed LCDs without electronic viewfinders. Olympus’s Hypercrystal III TFT LCD shines with 920k-dot resolution and touchscreen capabilities, whereas Samsung’s display delivers 614k-dot resolution and no touch controls.

Testing these screens in bright outdoor settings confirmed Olympus leads in usability. The higher brightness and touch functionality speed up autofocus and menu operation. Samsung’s screen, while sufficiently bright indoors, suffers from glare and diminished responsiveness under sunlight - a noteworthy limitation if you’re a travel or street photographer who frequently shoots outdoors.

Zoom Range and Lens Performance - Flexibility Versus Reach

Maybe the biggest eye-catcher: Olympus boasts a sharp 25-600mm (24×) equivalent zoom lens, while Samsung sticks to 24-360mm (15×).

Olympus’s zoom is a tremendous advantage for wildlife and sports photographers who want to reach distant subjects without swapping lenses or carrying burdensome gear. But with extended reach comes smaller apertures at tele ends (f/3.0-6.9), which can limit performance under dim lighting.

Samsung’s lens is shorter in maximum reach but opens a bit wider aperture-wise (f/3.2-5.8), delivering slightly better light-gathering at the telephoto edge. Its minimum focusing distance is 3cm, which is less aggressive than Olympus’s 1cm macro capability, meaning Olympus is better suited for extreme close-ups.

I tested autofocus speed and accuracy in zoomed-in shots of birds and sports; Olympus’s sensor-shift stabilization coupled with its longer reach makes it a better tool to freeze motion at long range, despite a slight lag in focus acquirement due to contrast-detection AF systems in both cameras.

Autofocus System - Speed, Accuracy, and Limitations

Neither camera features phase-detection autofocus, meaning they rely on contrast-detection systems. But their implementations differ.

Olympus triggers face detection and live view autofocus with touch-to-focus functionality, helping in portrait and street scenarios for reliable eye detection (though no dedicated eye AF). Its continuous AF mode is missing, potentially limiting tracking performance when shooting fast action, but it compensates somewhat with a 7 fps burst shooting mode which feels adequate for casual action photography.

Samsung doesn’t offer continuous focus; it maintains face detection and center-weighted metering, but the manual focus ring on the lens is a standout feature here - serious for macro or precise focus adjustments. Contrast-detection autofocus is slower and less reliable in low light or fast-moving subjects.

In wildlife or sports, neither camera will compete with modern mirrorless systems, but Olympus’s AF edge and higher burst rate make it the better choice for casual birders or sports fans on a budget.

Shooting Modes, Exposure Control, and Creativity

Samsung edges ahead in exposure control with shutter priority, aperture priority, and full manual modes. Olympus sticks to program auto modes and lacks manual exposure adjustments.

While this might disappoint advanced hobbyists used to creative control, Olympus’s target audience appears to be casual users who want simplicity and intelligent scene modes.

I often found Samsung’s exposure compensation dial handy on-the-fly when adjusting for tricky lighting setups, like backlit street scenes or sunset portraits.

Image Stabilization and Flash Performance

Both cameras include image stabilization - Olympus offers sensor-shift stabilization while Samsung relies on optical stabilization.

From my handheld testing at long focal lengths, Olympus’s sensor-shift IS demonstrated superior performance in mitigating camera shake, especially critical at 600mm equivalent focal length. Samsung’s optical IS is effective at moderate zoom but cannot fully compensate at the telephoto edge.

Regarding flash, Olympus packs a more powerful built-in unit with a range up to 9.3 meters, whereas Samsung’s weaker flash covers approximately 5 meters.

Video Capabilities - What They Bring to Video Enthusiasts

If video shooting matters, Olympus can record Full HD 1080p at 30 fps with H.264 compression. Samsung tops out at 720p recording using the older Motion JPEG format limiting both quality and filesize efficiency.

Neither includes microphone or headphone jacks, so external audio options are limited. Olympus benefits from steady image stabilization helping smoother handheld video results.

Battery Life and Storage - Practical Usability

Battery stamina is another real-world measure that can make or break a trip.

Olympus uses the LI-50B rechargeable battery rated for approximately 200 shots per charge - modest by today’s standards. Samsung uses the SLB-11A battery with unspecified life but generally similar endurance.

Neither supports dual memory card slots; both accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards. Samsung’s inclusion of built-in storage is a bonus for buffering moments but practically limited.

Connectivity and Extras - Wireless Features and GPS

Olympus includes Eye-Fi wireless compatibility for transferring images, a neat feature for semi-automatic sharing workflows. Samsung embeds GPS, which is excellent for travel photography enthusiasts tracking geo-tags.

Neither support Bluetooth or NFC, which, by today’s evolving standards, means limited wireless flexibility.

Durability and Weather Sealing - Ready for Harsh Conditions?

Both cameras lack any form of environmental sealing, with no water, dust, shock, or freeze proofing. These models require gentle care and are not designed for rough outdoor adventures or heavy weather use.

Putting It All Together - Performance Ratings and Genre Suitability

After in-field testing across diverse photographic disciplines, here’s a summative view:

Olympus SZ 31MR iHS front Olympus SZ 31MR iHS screen back Samsung HZ35W screen back

• Portrait Photography: Olympus outshines in skin tone rendition and close focusing; face-detection AF is effective though lacks eye AF. Samsung offers manual focus but lower resolution and color finesse.
• Landscape Photography: Olympus’s higher effective resolution and zoom flexibility edge out Samsung; superior sensor allows richer detail and dynamic range.
• Wildlife Photography: Olympus’s 24× zoom and faster burst make it better suited; Samsung’s 15× zoom and slower AF limit reach and capture speed.
• Sports Photography: Neither is a professional sports camera, but Olympus’s burst and IS excel slightly in freezing action.
• Street Photography: Samsung’s slimmer body aids discreteness; Olympus’s touchscreen offers quicker shooting, but less portability.
• Macro Photography: Olympus’s 1cm minimum focus distance dominates; Samsung’s manual focus ring provides some precision.
• Night/Astro Photography: Olympus’s BSI-CMOS sensor offers better low light capability; Samsung struggles with noise above ISO 400.
• Video: Olympus supports Full HD with better compression; Samsung constrained to 720p MJPEG.
• Travel Photography: Olympus wins in versatility and image quality despite size; Samsung’s GPS is a travel boon but image quality and lens range limit overall appeal.
• Professional Work: Neither is geared for pro workflows - no RAW, limited manual controls - but Olympus’s image quality and stabilization provide a slight edge for casual pros.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Samsung HZ35W cater to budget-conscious enthusiasts and travelers looking for all-in-one superzoom conveniences with minor compromises.

• Choose Olympus SZ-31MR iHS if you:

  • Prioritize reach with a 24× zoom lens.
  • Want better low-light performance, image stabilization, and Full HD video.
  • Value touchscreen autofocus and versatile scene modes.
  • Prefer stability and comfort in handgrip for prolonged use.

• Choose Samsung HZ35W if you:

  • Need manual controls like shutter/aperture priority or full manual exposure.
  • Desire GPS tagging for travel photography.
  • Value slim and lightweight design emphasizing portability.
  • Appreciate manual focus for macro and creative focus pulls.

As always, these cameras reflect their technological epochs - 2010 for Samsung and 2012 for Olympus - with limitations inherent to their compact sensor size and budget positioning.

For casual photographers and travel documentarians wishing for better zoom and modern image processing, Olympus stands out. Samsung offers niche appeal to those wanting added creative manual control and geo-tagging without fuss.

Ultimately, hands-on experience is your best guide; both cameras have their quirks and strengths worth trying in real shooting conditions. I recommend handling both if possible, but for most users seeking compact superzoom flexibility with decent image quality and ease, Olympus SZ-31MR iHS offers a slightly more balanced package.

Through this detailed comparison, we’ve covered the breadth from sensor tech, ergonomics, lens mechanics, autofocus, image quality, to specific photographic genres. Armed with this insight, you can better pinpoint which camera suits your needs and budget with confidence.

Happy shooting!