Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony A700: A Detailed Hands-On Comparison for Photographers

Whether you’re an enthusiast seeking an affordable superzoom compact or a semi-professional DSLR user looking for a workhorse camera, the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and the Sony Alpha A700 stand out in two entirely different realms. Both are over a decade old but still represent distinct approaches to photography technology and user needs.

Having personally tested both extensively in varied conditions and photography genres, I’ll break down the technical attributes, real-world performance, and suitability for diverse shooting styles to help you decide which camera suits your creative ambitions - or if neither truly fits your current needs.

First Impressions and Handling: Compact Convenience vs DSLR Ergonomics

Starting with a quick size and feel comparison: the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS is a compact “small sensor superzoom” designed for extreme portability. At a mere 106×69×40 mm and tipping the scales at 226g with battery, it's easy to slip into a jacket pocket or small bag, making it excellent for casual travel and street photography.

Contrast this with the Sony A700, a mid-sized DSLR body measuring 142×105×80 mm and weighing 768g - over three times heavier - built to fit comfortably in the hand during extended shooting sessions. The robust grip and abundant external controls reflect its professional aspirations.

The Olympus’s design is minimalist, with limited physical buttons and a touchscreen LCD for controls, which I found intuitive for quick access but restrictive for manual adjustments. Its fixed-lens format means no lens changing, emphasizing ease-of-use over flexibility.

The Sony counters with a more complex top panel featuring dedicated dials for shutter speed, aperture, and exposure compensation - features I appreciate deeply for creative control. The presence of two memory card slots and an optical pentaprism finder also underline its suitability for demanding workflows.

Ergonomics takeaway:

• Olympus SZ-31MR iHS scores highest for portability and quick grab-and-go use.
• Sony A700 excels on physical control layout and grip for deliberate, thoughtful shooting.

Under the Hood: Sensor Technology and Image Quality

Sensor size fundamentally influences image quality. The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS uses a 1/2.3” BSI-CMOS sensor, measuring roughly 6.17x4.55mm, offering 16MP resolution (4608x3456). While this sensor allows for a lengthy zoom (25-600 mm equivalent), it’s limited by the fundamental physics of a small sensor: higher noise, lower dynamic range, and reduced control over depth of field.

Conversely, the Sony A700 houses a substantially larger APS-C sized CMOS sensor (23.5x15.6mm), with a 12MP resolution (4272x2848). The larger sensor area (~13x the size of Olympus’s) means better light-gathering capacity, yielding cleaner images, richer tones, and superior high-ISO performance.

The Sony scored a DxO overall rating of 66 during its prime, with excellent color depth (22.3 bits) and dynamic range (~11.9 EV). Although the Olympus wasn’t DxO tested, similar compact sensors generally lag.

In practice, I found:

• Portraits: The Sony’s APS-C sensor delivered much smoother skin tones and richer colors. The Olympus images are sharper on paper but can appear harsh and noisier when viewed large.
• Low light/night photography: Sony’s sensor handled ISO 1600 and 3200 remarkably well with manageable noise, whereas the Olympus’s noise soared beyond ISO 800.
• Landscape: Dynamic range differences mean highlight details preserved on Sony; Olympus struggled with blown-out skies.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking Capabilities

Autofocus is where these two cameras truly part ways, reflecting their intended users.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

The Olympus uses contrast-detection AF with face detection and multiple AF areas but no phase-detection. It offers touch-to-focus on its 3” Hypercrystal III LCD, which I found accurate but occasionally slow in low contrast environments due to hunting. Continuous shooting speed peaks at an impressive 7 fps, although this is less useful given the compact’s slower processing pipeline. Unfortunately, continuous AF tracking is limited.

Sony A700

Sony’s A700 employs an 11-point phase-detection AF system, a considerable advantage for speed and tracking accuracy, especially in fast-moving scenarios like sports or wildlife. Continuous shooting maxes out at 5 fps, slightly lower than Olympus’s spec but with superior buffer depth and more reliable AF tracking.

From my tests:

• Wildlife and sports shooting favored the Sony with its phase-detection AF giving consistent focus lock and subject tracking.
• Olympus is better suited to static subjects or casual snaps; autofocus occasionally hunts with fast action or poor light.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing

The Sony A700 shines as a semi-professional DSLR built with magnesium alloy chassis and environmental sealing against moisture and dust ingress. It can endure rough fieldwork better than its peers in 2007-2010 era.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS lacks weather sealing, focusing instead on daily portability and ease. Its plastic construction is light but less durable.

For landscape photographers or professionals working outdoors, the Sony’s robust build is a major plus.

Display and Viewfinder: Composing Your Shots

Both cameras share a 3” LCD with 920k dot resolution, providing crisp viewing for image composition and review.

• The Olympus’s touchscreen enables intuitive focusing and menu navigation but cannot replace a viewfinder.
• The Sony A700 lacks live view and touchscreen but features a bright optical pentaprism viewfinder covering 95% frame and ~0.6x magnification, critical for accurate framing in bright daylight and manual focusing.

If you prefer composing through a viewfinder, Sony is favored. For casual composition or live view/video, Olympus provides a modern touchscreen experience.

Lens Ecosystem and Zoom Range

The fixed 24x zoom lens on the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS (25-600 mm equivalent, f/3.0-6.9) is its standout feature, ideal for all-in-one versatility, from wide scenes to distant wildlife.

Sony’s A700 uses the Alpha/Minolta mount with over 140 compatible lenses, spanning primes, zooms, macro, and specialty optics. The 1.5x crop factor means a 70-200mm lens behaves like 105-300mm, ideal for portraits, wildlife, and sports.

Lens choice dictates long-term expansion:

• Olympus is closed system: no lens changes, so you trade flexibility for convenience.
• Sony supports a vast lens cache for any genre and pro needs.

Battery Life and Storage

Sony A700 is well-known for excellent battery endurance, letting me shoot hundreds of photos per charge, ideal for day-long outdoor sessions. Its dual storage slots supporting CompactFlash and Memory Stick Pro Duo provide workflow convenience and reliability.

Olympus offers around 200 shots per charge - typical for compacts - and utilizes SD/SDHC/SDXC cards. Single slot storage is standard but less fault-tolerant.

Video Capabilities

Olympus handles full HD video (1920x1080, 30 fps) with stabilization and basic MPEG-4/H.264 compression. Touch AF works smoothly in live view, but no external mic input limits audio quality.

Sony A700 doesn’t offer video recording, reflecting its era and emphasis on still photography.

If video is important, Olympus clearly leads.

Real-World Image Comparisons: Sample Gallery

Olympus SZ 31MR iHS front Olympus SZ 31MR iHS screen back Sony A700 front Sony A700 screen back

Examining images side-by-side:

• The Olympus produces punchy colors and sharp details at zoom but suffers from noise and softness at higher ISOs.
• Sony photos deliver smoother gradients, better highlight retention, and cleaner shadows.
• Portraits demonstrate Sony’s richer tonal rendition and smoother bokeh, while Olympus shows more aggressive sharpening.

Performance Ratings and Genre-Specific Analysis

Portrait: Sony best for skin tones and Bokeh.
Landscape: Sony preferred due to dynamic range and weather sealing.
Wildlife: Sony’s AF and lens options excel despite Olympus’s longer zoom.
Sports: Sony has clear advantage in tracking and speed.
Street: Olympus wins for discreteness and portability.
Macro: Sony supports dedicated macro lenses; Olympus macro is in-lens limited.
Night/Astro: Sony’s sensor performs significantly better.
Video: Olympus only option between the two.
Travel: Olympus preferred for light, pocketability, versatile zoom.
Professional Work: Sony’s reliability and raw support make it the only contender.

Strengths and Weaknesses Summarized

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

Pros:

• Ultra-portable compact design
• Massive 24x zoom lens for reach
• Touchscreen for easy targeting
• Full HD video support with stabilization
• Affordable and accessible to beginners

Cons:

• Small sensor limits image quality and low light ability
• No lens interchange or manual exposure controls
• Autofocus slower and less reliable for action
• Limited battery life and no raw file support
• Build quality basic, no weather sealing

Sony Alpha DSLR-A700

Pros:

• Large APS-C sensor with excellent image quality
• Robust build with weather sealing
• Advanced 11-point phase detect AF system
• Wide selection of lenses and accessories
• Superior battery life and dual storage slots
• Manual controls and raw image support

Cons:

• Larger and heavier; less travel-friendly
• No video capabilities
• No touchscreen or live view
• Older autofocus technology without continuous tracking

Who Should Consider the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS?

If you are a casual photographer or traveler looking for a simple camera that performs well out-of-the-box, offers huge zoom range, and shoots full HD video, the Olympus is a great grab-and-go option. It pairs well with those who want an easy to handle device and don’t want the complexity of manual controls or interchangeable lenses. Its compact size is ideal for street photography, travel snapshots, and casual family portraits.

Who Should Opt for the Sony A700?

Photographers invested in image quality and creative control will appreciate Sony’s DSLR-centric design - especially if you plan to shoot portraits, landscapes, sports, or wildlife where autofocus performance and lens selection matter. If you want to learn manual exposure, shoot in raw, and need a rugged body to withstand demanding environments, the Sony A700 remains competitive despite its age.

Final Thoughts: Legacy Cameras in Today’s Market

While both cameras are discontinued and show their age compared to modern mirrorless competition, they offer compelling blends of features for certain simplified use cases or cost-conscious buyers.

The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS is a lightweight, versatile superzoom compact with video, ideal for casual users prioritizing ease-of-use and portability.

The Sony A700, though older, remains a capable mid-sized DSLR with superior image quality, manual control, and lens flexibility for serious photographers.

Before purchasing, consider your shooting style:

• For travel light and video, Olympus is recommended.
• For serious still photography and professional workflows, Sony is preferable.

Both have unique strengths and limitations borne from their sensor size, autofocus systems, and design philosophies.

If you want the most comprehensive camera to suit your specific photography genre or professional needs, weigh these factors carefully, and be sure you’re buying the best tool for your vision.

Happy shooting!

This article is based on hands-on testing and careful comparison of both cameras' specifications and real-world performance to help photographers make informed decisions.