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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony A550

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
47
Overall
42
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony A550 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
(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
Sony A550
(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
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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.

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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.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Sony A550

 SZ-31MR iHS A550 
LaunchedFebruary 2012December 2009Newer 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 typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution922k920kSharper display (+2k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Sony A550

 SZ-31MR iHS A550 
Display sizing3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony A550 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Portrait photography factors
Sony A550 Portrait photography factors
34
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
includes face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
72
manual focus
good MP (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Street photography camera
Sony A550 as a Street photography camera
64
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides focus by touch
lighter than average (226 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
74
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sports photography details
Sony A550 Sports photography details
44
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
includes tracking autofocus
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
low battery power (200 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
bad battery (480 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Travel photography details
Sony A550 Travel photography details
67
lighter than average (226 grams)
provides focus by touch
megapixel count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low battery power (200 shots)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
52
good MP (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse function
bad battery (480 CIPA)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A550 as a Landscape photography camera
41
rather wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
manual mode not available
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
low battery power (200 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
66
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
bad battery (480 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Vlogging highlights
Sony A550 Vlogging highlights
35
rather wide (25mm)
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average (226 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external mic port
9
no video recording
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Sony A550
 Olympus SZ-31MR iHSSony 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