Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony A550

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.

Photography Glossary

The 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.

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.

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.

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.