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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony A7 III

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
47
Overall
42
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS front
 
Sony Alpha A7 III front
Portability
63
Imaging
74
Features
92
Overall
81

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony A7 III 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
  • Revealed February 2012
Sony A7 III
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Expand to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 650g - 127 x 96 x 74mm
  • Launched February 2018
  • Superseded the Sony A7 II
  • Successor is Sony A7 IV
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony A7 III Overview

Lets look a bit more in depth at the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS versus Sony A7 III, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Sony. There exists a considerable gap among the sensor resolutions of the SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) and A7 III (24MP) and the SZ-31MR iHS (1/2.3") and A7 III (Full frame) have different sensor sizes.

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The SZ-31MR iHS was announced 7 years earlier than the A7 III and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS being a Compact camera and the Sony A7 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting into a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the SZ-31MR iHS scores versus the A7 III with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Sony A7 III

 SZ-31MR iHS A7 III 

Reasons to pick Sony A7 III over the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 A7 III SZ-31MR iHS 
LaunchedFebruary 2018February 2012More recent by 73 months
Focus manually Very exact focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution922k920kCrisper screen (+2k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Sony A7 III

 SZ-31MR iHS A7 III 
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony A7 III Physical Comparison

When you are looking to lug around your camera often, you should consider its weight and volume. The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS has got outer dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") and a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Sony A7 III has sizing of 127mm x 96mm x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9") and a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

See the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS versus Sony A7 III in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the SZ-31MR iHS vs the A7 III.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony A7 III size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-31MR iHS and A7 III is 89 and 63 respectively.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony A7 III top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony A7 III Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very tough to imagine the difference in sensor measurements just by seeing specs. The photograph here will help provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-31MR iHS and A7 III.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The SZ-31MR iHS having a smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF tougher and the Sony A7 III will produce greater detail with its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots more aggressively. The older SZ-31MR iHS will be behind in sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony A7 III sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony A7 III Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony A7 III Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Portrait photography highlights
Sony A7 III Portrait photography highlights
34
decent MP (16 megapixels)
supports face detect focus
lack of manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
84
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
has face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
Street photography with Sony A7 III
64
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides touch focus
lighter than competitors in class (226 grams)
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
78
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
boasts focus via touch
environment proofing
very good ISO range (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Sports photography camera
Sony A7 III as a Sports photography camera
44
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (200 per charge)
lack of phase detect auto focus
87
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
environment proofing
better than average battery life (610 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
Travel photography with Sony A7 III
67
lighter than competitors in class (226 grams)
provides touch focus
decent MP (16MP)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
no Timelapse mode
terrible battery life (200 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
73
better than average battery life (610 shots)
environment proofing
connects via bluetooth
boasts focus via touch
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Landscape photography highlights
Sony A7 III Landscape photography highlights
41
really wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
no manual control
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
terrible battery life (200 CIPA)
no Timelapse mode
85
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
very good ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
better than average battery life (610 per charge)
has double storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Vlogging info
Sony A7 III Vlogging info
35
really wide (25mm)
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors in class (226g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no microphone jack
36
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detection focus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
includes external microphone port
does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony A7 III Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Sony A7 III
 Olympus SZ-31MR iHSSony Alpha A7 III
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sony Alpha A7 III
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2012-02-08 2018-02-27
Body design Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Dual TruePic V Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 6400 51200
Highest enhanced ISO - 204800
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Lowest enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 693
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.0-6.9 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Number of lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 920k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech Hypercrystal III TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1700 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 7.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 9.30 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p) 1920 x 1080 (120p, 60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226g (0.50 lbs) 650g (1.43 lbs)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 127 x 96 x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 96
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 25.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.7
DXO Low light rating not tested 3730
Other
Battery life 200 images 610 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 Two
Pricing at release $0 $1,998