Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Samsung NX300M
89 Imaging
39 Features
47 Overall
42


86 Imaging
62 Features
73 Overall
66
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Samsung NX300M Key Specs
(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
- Launched February 2012
(Full Review)
- 20MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3.3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 25600
- 1/6000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Samsung NX Mount
- 331g - 122 x 64 x 41mm
- Released January 2013

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Samsung NX300M Overview
Below, we are evaluating the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Samsung NX300M, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Olympus and Samsung. The resolution of the SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) and the NX300M (20MP) is very close but the SZ-31MR iHS (1/2.3") and NX300M (APS-C) come with totally different sensor sizing.

The SZ-31MR iHS was launched 11 months prior to the NX300M and they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS being a Compact camera and the Samsung NX300M being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before going through a thorough comparison, below is a short introduction of how the SZ-31MR iHS scores against the NX300M in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Samsung NX300M Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Samsung NX300M. The complete galleries are available at Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Gallery and Samsung NX300M Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Samsung NX300M
SZ-31MR iHS | NX300M | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display resolution | 920k | ![]() | 768k | Sharper display (+152k dot) |
Reasons to pick Samsung NX300M over the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
NX300M | SZ-31MR iHS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2013 | ![]() | February 2012 | More modern by 11 months |
Manually focus | ![]() | More accurate focusing | ||
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display dimension | 3.3" | ![]() | 3" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Common features in the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Samsung NX300M
SZ-31MR iHS | NX300M | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Samsung NX300M Physical Comparison
For anyone who is aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you have to think about its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS has got physical measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Samsung NX300M has specifications of 122mm x 64mm x 41mm (4.8" x 2.5" x 1.6") and a weight of 331 grams (0.73 lbs).
Examine the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Samsung NX300M in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilising at that time. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the SZ-31MR iHS against the NX300M.

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-31MR iHS and NX300M is 89 and 86 respectively.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Samsung NX300M Sensor Comparison
Often, it is very hard to see the gap in sensor sizes only by looking through a spec sheet. The picture below will give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-31MR iHS and NX300M.
Clearly, both of these cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The SZ-31MR iHS due to its smaller sensor will make getting shallow DOF more difficult and the Samsung NX300M will render greater detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The more aged SZ-31MR iHS will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Samsung NX300M Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Samsung NX300M Specifications
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS | Samsung NX300M | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Samsung |
Model | Olympus SZ-31MR iHS | Samsung NX300M |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Launched | 2012-02-08 | 2013-01-03 |
Body design | Compact | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Dual TruePic V | DRIMe IV |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 23.5 x 15.7mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 369.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 20MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 5472 x 3648 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 25600 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | - | 247 |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | Samsung NX |
Lens focal range | 25-600mm (24.0x) | - |
Largest aperture | f/3.0-6.9 | - |
Macro focus distance | 1cm | - |
Amount of lenses | - | 32 |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen diagonal | 3 inches | 3.3 inches |
Screen resolution | 920 thousand dot | 768 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen technology | Hypercrystal III TFT Color LCD | Active Matrix OLED screen |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 4 secs | 30 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/1700 secs | 1/6000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 7.0fps | 9.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 9.30 m | no built-in flash |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, 1st/2nd Curtain, Smart Flash, Manual |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance 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) | 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720, 640 x 480, 320 x 240 |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 226 grams (0.50 lb) | 331 grams (0.73 lb) |
Dimensions | 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") | 122 x 64 x 41mm (4.8" x 2.5" x 1.6") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 200 images | 330 images |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | LI-50B | BP1130 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) | Yes (2 sec to 30 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | One | One |
Launch cost | $0 | $699 |