Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony A550
89 Imaging
39 Features
47 Overall
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65 Overall
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony A550 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- 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
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 632g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
- Launched December 2009
- Previous Model is Sony A100
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony A550 Overview
In this write-up, we are looking at the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS versus Sony A550, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) and the A550 (14MP) is very similar but the SZ-31MR iHS (1/2.3") and A550 (APS-C) come with different sensor sizes.
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthThe SZ-31MR iHS was launched 2 years after the A550 which is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS being a Compact camera and the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before delving straight into a complete comparison, below is a brief overview of how the SZ-31MR iHS matches up versus the A550 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony A550 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Sony Alpha DSLR-A550. The complete galleries are available at Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Gallery and Sony A550 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Sony A550
SZ-31MR iHS | A550 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | February 2012 | December 2009 | Newer by 27 months | |
Touch display | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
A550 | SZ-31MR iHS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | Very precise focusing | |||
Display type | Tilting | Fixed | Tilting display | |
Display resolution | 922k | 920k | Sharper display (+2k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Sony A550
SZ-31MR iHS | A550 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display sizing | 3" | 3" | Equivalent display dimensions | |
Selfie screen | Absent selfie screen |
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison
For those who are going to travel with your camera regularly, you should think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS features physical dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") along with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Sony A550 has measurements of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") along with a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).
Examine the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS versus Sony A550 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you select at that time. Here is the front view scale comparison of the SZ-31MR iHS versus the A550.
Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-31MR iHS and A550 is 89 and 63 respectively.
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it's hard to visualize the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by reading specifications. The image below may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-31MR iHS and A550.
To sum up, each of the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The SZ-31MR iHS because of its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field harder and the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS will deliver more detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos a little more aggressively. The more modern SZ-31MR iHS provides an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony A550 Specifications
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS | Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Olympus | Sony |
Model | Olympus SZ-31MR iHS | Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Entry-Level DSLR |
Announced | 2012-02-08 | 2009-12-09 |
Body design | Compact | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Dual TruePic V | Bionz |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4592 x 3056 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 200 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | - | 9 |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Lens focal range | 25-600mm (24.0x) | - |
Maximum aperture | f/3.0-6.9 | - |
Macro focus range | 1cm | - |
Available lenses | - | 143 |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Display resolution | 920 thousand dot | 922 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Display technology | Hypercrystal III TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 95% |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.53x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 4 secs | 30 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/1700 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 7.0 frames per second | 7.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 9.30 m | 12.00 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | - | 1/160 secs |
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) | - |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | - |
Mic 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 | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 226 gr (0.50 lbs) | 632 gr (1.39 lbs) |
Dimensions | 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") | 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | not tested | 66 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 21.9 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 11.8 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 807 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 200 photos | 480 photos |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | LI-50B | NP-FM500H |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail price | $0 | $749 |